The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1860-12-28

never rise TO ask for compromise. Many
Of you stand in an attitude hostile to this
Government when yon threaten, unless
we do so and so. you will 90 out of this
Union, and destroy the Government. l
say, in my private capacity, never yield
to anything by way of threats. In my
public capacity / have no right to yield.
Therefore, would not entertain a propo-
siion for compromise. This long, chronic
controversy must be met upon the princi-
pies OF the Contribution. hope il NAV
be adjusted, but I know Of no way except
that laid down by the Constitution OF the
United States. When we 90 astray from
that, we plunge ourselves into difficulties.
There are different ways OF constituting it,
but, in my judgment, it is the wisest Con-
sti;ulion ever yet organized, and ] am
willing 10 stand by it, ask for nothing
more. There is another subject about
which | ought 10 say something. 1t is
claimed that you have a right TO secede at
your pleasure. Ican't End any warrant for
doctrine like that in the Constitution -
in my judgment, it would be subversive
Of constitutional obligations. Iflhat is so,
we have no Government. 1t would re-.
duce this Union 10 mere conglomeration
OF States, TO be held together at the will
Of any captious member Of it. The State
Of South Carolina is q small State; but,
probably, If she was sunk by an earth.
quake, we should hardly find it out, ex-
cept by the unwonted harmony that
would prevail in this Chamber. say
this from no i'll will. 1 think she is un-
wise. l would be willing to let her go
out If we could do so without an example
fatal to all Government. But, standing
here, my wishes must be controlled by
Constitutional duty. don't see how
any man can contend that a State can GO
out OF the Government at pleasure. The
question was reviewed thirty years ago,
and received verdict which it was sup.
posed had set il at rest forever. By Gen
Jackson and the men who surrounded him,
it was pronounced delusion, and utterly
disruptive OF all Governments. Yet here
it is to-day blooming and fresh. Mr.. Cal
boun, even, held TO the doctrine that we
have power 10 make war on Stale
You will find this doctrine in his long
letter to Gov. Hamilton. acknowledge
70 the fullest extent the right of revolu.
ton, if you so call it--a right TO destroy
the Government and erect another on It's
ruins more in accordance with your ishes
But when you undertake it you undertake
it with this provision: II you are sue
cessful. all is right. You are heroes
, Bat. if you are defeated. you are rebels.
! That is the character OF revolution i
successful all well il unsuccessful III,
: Government. treats them as traitors. Ii
did not see cause to apprehend that an,
{ party Intended 10 make war on the Sc
|, ceding States he only asserted the righ
TO do so If they saw ft. lie would not
l however, counsel or advise any party 4
do it. He would be very tender will
t the rights of the people who wer
t about TO break up the Government
t under which they had deliberately com
TO the conclusion they could not live blu
he apprchended that the position of th,
Republicans would compel them to tax,
aus'ere ground. Although State Sc
: cedes, they cannot recognize her right {,
( go out of the Union until she gains th,
consent Of the Union. The duty of th,
: Chief Magistrate is to execute the law il
, every part Of the Government. He can
; not be released from this obligation
, Nothing in the Constitution Of the United
0 States will warrant his saying that singh
0 star has fallen. He is sworn not to know
S that Stale has seeded, and to pay n,
: respect 10 resolutions that declare tina, sh
r has done So In doing this it does no
e follow that he must make war upon her
e but he should exercise every Federal righ
f. over her, the most important Of which
r the collection of The revenue. There ar
{ many rights for the benefit OF the peopl
t of a State that might be dispensed with
| II they do not want the mails carried. th
: President could abolish the Post Offices
: They might not perhaps elect officers /
send here, but they could do as the
liked about that. They have right +
, be perfectly represented here, but if the,
, choose 10 forego that privilege it is not in
cumbcnt upon the President TO force then
} to send representatives here. But tn
Chief Magistrate must collect the reveDu
| precisely the same as in every other State
, No State can DO released from that obi
CATION. for tho Constitution demands IL
What follows I? If the seeding State shut
up her ports of entry. so that ships canno
discharge their cargocs, then ships will
cease to 60 there; or, if the Governmen
: b!ockades her ports to collect revenue, sh
; will not have gained her independence b.
secession. If she will feel contented 4
| live undor this equivocal state of things. 81
will be well. but she cannot do so. Wha
will she do : She must take tho inititativ
and declare war upon the United States
Then force must be met by forco, and sh
must how out her Independence by vioenc
; and war. There was no other way unde
tho Constitution that he know of, if a Stat
secede aud declare war. He did not sup
, pose that there was a lawyer on the foo
but who will say that tho act of levying wa
is treason against tho United States. Tha
is tho result, and wo may as we'll look tn
matter in tho face. The Senator from
Texas says that the South will force an ig
nominious treaty from us in Faneuil Hall
To this he would answer. "Well, you may
We know your power; we know you
. bravery we do not want to fight with you
but, nevertheless. if you drive us TO tn
necessity we will use all our powers to main
tain tho Government intact, in all its iuteg
rity. II We are overthrown the Governmen
will be subVorted as Thousands of othe
Governments have boen. If you are tn
weakest thon you must 60 to the wall. Thn
is all thero is about it. That is tho coli
dition in vvhich wo esand I nan aoa N