Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1860-12-09
M. Cu.h,ur on Northe,n NuIIisica,ion,

Mr. cushing on NOfAneRA NuhnAfrsAtkons
HoN. AIBERT CrRRIER-Dear Sir: h1s. the q,
OF, some time since.to receive accommodation from
yourself and a large number Of other signers, re-
uuesting me to address the citizens Of Newburyport
on the subject Of the state eff the Union.
To DO so at that time seemed to me lneonvenient
first because of my belief of the impossibility pend
ing the Presidential canvass of the accommodation OF
the points of controversy between those who, while
thus differing temporary incidental. or personal
questions were vet. in my Judgment, alike the true
friends of the Constitutions; and secondly, because
Of special reluctance to put myself in the position Of
partisan conflict with any Of my immediate fellow
citizens of this city.
But all those questions have rassed away, ant
yielded place TO others of a higher order and more
comprehensive character, appertaining to the now
imminent peril of the dissolution of the American
Union.
To the u,minence of that peril it is NO longer per
mited us to continue, as for years re have done
Uifully to shut our eyes 1t forces itself upon us
in reports Of official acts; it has become the CHIEF
topic of the newspapers, it preOecupies all minds
we feel it. throughout the country; in the decline o.
the vendable value of stocks, merchandise. and rea
estate and in the universal disturbance of domestic
productions trade and labor.
God forbid that at such moment anything shoulc
be done said by me to add to the intensity OF 50
lcitude which already exists in this relauon: VI
the other hand, there is but one thing to allay Il
which can be done or said by or in the State OF Mas
sachusetts.
II avails nothing for us in Massachusetts to dis
cuss the question of the expedency or inexpedency
of secession and TO endeaFor to impress on the
Southern States the sacredness OF the Union 80 long
as the State of Massachusetts maintains system Of
LEGISLATION MAINLY contrary to the CONSTITUTIONAL the
yerv matte. of the special rights of the Southern
States all ears are closed to appeals in behalf OF
the Union from us. To such appeals the answer Is
ready shat when we duly regard the Constitution
ourselves, and not until then, it will be competent
to US to exhort other States to respect and observe
If: that otherwise we are but meanly enjoying the
benefits of the compact without discharging its obi
gations and that audation o. the Union is ahke
odious and ridiculous. while we cling to it only as
the means of exerting the power OF the Federal
Government to the spoiatiOn, oppression, ana wrong
of fifteen States of the Union. How deeply soeyer
therefore any CITIZEN of the State Of Massachusetts
may depore the possibility of the dissolution Of the
Union she is utterly pOwerless to dssuade any other
State from seeking or promoting its dissolution.
The notification laws of Massachusetts, were not
only most deliberately enacted IN the nrst instance
but the question of their repeal has been earnestly
moved in the Legislature Of the State hrst by MP
Charles Hale and afterward by myself and although
some provisions of mere enacerbatlon IN those laws
have been repealed on the Recommendation OF Gov
Banks vet the vicious substance stll suOslsts anl
has but Just been carefully reenacted in the genera
revision of the statutes.
Vainlv therefore would the State of Massachusetts
admonish the State of South Carolina to observe the
Constitution or uphold the Union. FIVE would have
equity we must do equity, and go INTO court Wit
clean hands Lectures on loyalty to the Fedora
Constitution come with poor grace from obstinate
and systematic yiolators of the Constitution. There
is but one thing more odious and absurd than that
and il is the idea of Massachusetts,, herself IN state
permanent rebellion to the Constitution and laws OF
the Union, assuming to coerce other States int
punctlous obedience to the Constitution and the
laws of the Union Nay, if there be any article OF
articles of the Constitution which, with her particu
lar notions of right and wrong. the State OF Massa
chuses cannot or will not fulfil and obey then every
consideration of honor, truth faith conscience viz
tue religion would jmpel her either TO secede a
once from the Union herself, or to cooperate witt
Virginia in the call of constitutional convention
revise the terms of the Federal compact or at leas
manfully to extend to South Carolina the right hant
of cordial notification and secession fellowship.
Our forefathers when they found the Government
Of the country not to be up to the height OF then
standard of liberty morality, strove IN the hrs
place 10 change the Government and failing in that
they withdrew themselves from it. In such cours
there was dignity and spirit both; there Is nune Il
keeping the good of the Union and refusing its price
asserting the bond of the Constitution where it il
favorable to Mas achusetts and regulating it wher
it is favorable to South Carolina Conduct of tn
latter sort, in ordinary life, has ugly names-a
cheating swindling fraud-and 1t deserves sOfte
appellaticn in the acts of State or people.
Furthermore. so long as the State Of Massachu
sets peFSeYeres IN TINS nuiCaLlOh OF Inc OOnStltu
ton she affords not pretext only. but Justlfica
tory cause to the State of South Carolina TO that
Georgia. Alabama. Mississippi, Or any other Stat
otherwise disposed TO secede; for the violation o
the fundamental compact of association by one o
the contracting parties serves, in morality wei
a. law to release the others and the unconsttuton
al and 1ishonorable attitude Of the State In thi
matter is not less mischievOus in another respect L
wit its obvious tendency to paralyze the conserva
tive efforts of our Southern States notyet prepare
TO secede such as Maryland Virginia, North caro-
Ina. Kentucky, and Tennessee.
think there is duty in this behalf which 1t i
incumbent on Massachusetts and every loyal cltizel
of the State TO perform-one which IT IS never tot
early to enter upon and too late to persist in
and which it is peculiarly fitting for to undertake
now-namely. to repeal Internationally these law
which are scandalOusly false in their profession
purpose-whch tyrannical in their domestic
and reasonable in their Federal relations and which
misrepresent the spirit and disgrace the Legislation
of our Commonwealth
And this is the duty of alit is the duty Of ever.
one: and therefore it will give me pleasure to spea
on the subject; TO expose the gravity OF the sIua
ton: to demonstrate obligation regarding it; AM
10 participate with you in the initiation Of measure
for the wping of this foul blot from the escut
cheOn of the State of Massachusetts.
Having done that, we shall then have the right
happen what may, to stand erect, to hold up ou
head in TIE Union. to look sister States in th
face and if need be. to address fraternal exhorta
ton to the State of South Carolina.
/ am, very faithfully, G. Cushing.
NEyRUrYP0RT Nov. 10, 1860