Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1860-12-28
fCOMHUNICATED.

to secsde, exists in the absence Of any COM
pu!sory constitutional reservation, and in
the additional reason, that the action of
Union, was by States sovereign, equal
They continue the same for the most part as
to sovereignty, and altogether as equals, for
the general power, or powers of the General
Government, are but the voluntary cession
or surrender by compact of certain partial,
equal powers, the complement of all, being
tie Federal power.
The lawful construction of the Federal
Constitution, admits no power by implica-
ton, but sometimes by it, lends staff to
carry out manifest express powers; we are
not then permitted to infer an intention Of
the States to compel one of themselves, there
icing no express grant of power, and none
that can be implied. Not only does con-
ten porane9us history assure US that coer-
ciou was not mcditated, but it shows more
than this, that the subject being in the
mind of the founders, it was in their inten-
lion, ALSO to confer no such stupid power
So that neither by our great Charter, in
trifsic, or by implication, nor by contenl-
poraneous history, nor the differences from
it, d. we obtain any leaning towards tho
compulsor IF State The Constitution,
thongh designed to be perpetual, no doubt,
III 10 sense, unless the cedeG conditions are
ii! o;,scrvcd-can be regarded as irrevoca-
be No one will now be so rash as to con-
tend, that the conditions have been kept
and to suppose irrevocability were to pre-
sumo that our Fathers were constructing a
pt-fall for human liberty. But lay aside
this for Il moment, admitting, however, a
violation of the Federal Constitution; then
the only relief obtained in the denial of the
right OF secession, is the absurdity of insist
ing that such withdrawal is revolution,
thereby to secure a colorable pretext to re-
sort to force to compel submission, and make
way for the tyrant's plea Of necessity.
What is gninel 10 honor by such reduc-
ton Of the question? How conpatibly with
this age, our system of government. or Of
Republican liberty over the world, can you
force State? Force her to be a wilttng
member OF a confederation! this is incom-
patible absurdity. Surely you can't re-
strain by uaited constitutional system like
ours: the great burthen Of which, was and
il, to preserve, not to violate human liberty.
IT the wrongs Inflicted by part are so
grlevous as 10 produce unanimity in the in
diyduals composing 4 State, then rely on it.,
it is not faction in the member, but radical
unsouadDcss in the body
Nor is it an unfair conclusion from histo-
~, or from human nature that those who are
under Il purpose TO prosecute and Cypress
by forced constructions of power, will al
ways be ;he most blatant against all
methods Of constitutional remedy against it.
Hence, we need not wonder to find, that in
every case, those that first infract the Con-
stitution, 10 indics in Justice, are those, who
not only will not themselves whisper seces-
sion, but who always will be ever prompt
to deny it, or anya other creature, as a relief
against their persecution. s. that, we now
find, the most inturiate and irrational dis
turbers Of our peace, the loudest against the
right Of secession, preferring the sanguina-
~ remedy Of revolution only. Hence the dis
like by them Of the words peaceful seces-
SION When 1.-The fool" knows, that unless
this government can be preserved by rolun-
tary Union, it cannot be preserved in any way
known to man, but at the price Of liberty
This is the force Of the inspired maxim Of
one Of orr late illustrious triumyirate, Lib
erty and Uniun, now and forever, one and
iuSeparablc.'
There are those who are prepared to an
swer, that tho General Government does not
act against the State "eo NOMINEE" but upon
individuals merely. Well, grant it, and VIC
are practically sustained in the conclusion
We shall now reach. Multiply these indi
viduaI$, and presently you produce the State
entirely, unanimously, with all of its SOY
ereign reserved powers. Action then a.
gainSt them 50 united, is intimately action
against the State, or it is but mere abstrac-
ton and nonsense.
lou allow your humblest citizen the right
Of repatriation, nay you demand of other
governments the allowance Of the dogma
the numbers deriving such repatriation
multiply, until every member of Il State
wishes ii. You allow him or them their
effects: these are the State, and you have an
example now before you.
On the other hand, Il united, delegated
power, is Il whole composed of all its parts;
Il part Withdrawn, how can the whole he ex-
erted justly against this part, aud to some
extent against itself? assume thata State
withdrawn, The Union is dissolyed--is this
not true? That the Union is an entirety or
Ii neutrality-suspicious. will think as they
please. Assume otherwise, then say, how
many States must Withdraw before actual
dissolution is produced aud at what point
will the remaining States cease to be the
United Sta!es, with the authority to exercise
the +! enary and august powers Of the Fede-
raj Government, the contribution of all
Suppose all the Southern States failing to
obtain guarantees which they esteem neces-
sary for their safety, shall solemnly deter
mine to seccdc. Is it to be maintained, that
the remaining States named would be the
United States, clothed with all the authority
OF u, even Of those withdrawn-and in her
uamo to exalt herself Tor the humiliation and
subsection Of the seeding States? Rely On it,
that those wh1 have nattered themselves by
any such glad vision, even though perchance
il may be the President elect, will wake to
the sad reality that Samson is shorn of his
locks, and that anarchy and civil dscord
ont ?, will be their heritage.
If ii State may secede. and unanimous
action loresaadOws something Of reason,
thea lei the United States have no authority
over her more than any other government
and let her treat her in relations at least as
a:nicabe as are our relations with the most
favored foreign power.
Oars is Il family Of States-as Il family of