Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1860-11-18
Secession.

The Republican Banner is down on secession. and
every body that avows secession to be remedy for
evils that the Constitution does not provide for No
one doubts the danger we are in, and it has taken
upon itself to announce itself in its own way to the
which of the two to choose, peaceabe secession or
internal war and revolution, and then secession.
The Banner misunderstands the history las we un-
derstand it, of the MADISON correspondence The
terms offered by New York were limited as to dura-
ton most of the States had agreed to an unlimited
period. The assumption of the Banner is that Mr.
MADISON would have New York and all the rest
adopt it as an unlimited instrument in all respects
Such an Interpretation is wholly at war with all
our ideas of government. The Banner is referred
to any legal or constitutional authority on this point
The right to secede is not only inherent in the peo-
pie of the several States, but it is principle in
voved in the nature of the Constitution, and re-
served de faoO and de e by the of contracts
of treaties, and of all laws, and is implied in all
State Constitutions which are in their source SUI
Perior TO the Federal compact claiming the duty of
the citizen first against all'the world
The Banner mixes up with apparent relish
secessonism and notification. Conservatives do
not go so far knowingly they differ in all respects
Secession is peaeeable measure, unless opposed,
and lciH not be opposed Notification is a warike,
a hostile measure it is treason. The one is the de-
mand Of the whole people of State the other is
a mobilize resistance to law. The one is the origin
of law the other is the breaking up of law-hence
secession is notification is war.
We fear the Bonner is approaching the conserva-
tsm of 70; we hope not but its articles strike
many of its readers-good conservatives good Union
men, men who have voted conservatively longer
than its editors men who think they know what
conservatism is men who have need for the
publication of the law of treason offences against
the public peace men who have read the "HerSd'.
for many years but who do not see their way clear
ly in further submission.
The Banner notices the speech of the Hon. TIL. H.
WATTS, of Alabama The Banner knows that Mr..
w. is an Old Line Wing, and knows further that in
all the campaign he has not only avOwed the right
of a State to Secede, but has said that his State
would secede upon the election of LINCOLN. As
many of us see this matter, the Wing leaders Of the
South are following an earnest, deep and strong
conviction of the Masses and it does but little good
in arguing so grave an ISSUE to talk about YANCEY
and Warts programme" Nor do we think that |
strengthen what ought to be now the effort of every
sagacious editor-a union of sentiment among us of
all parties.
The attention of the editors of the Banner is call
ed to the following proposition: No citizen Of any
State in obeying the laws of the State can commit
treason against the Federal Government The Ban
,,er is assured that when Alabama secedes, or any
other State, it Will be in her sovereign capacity and
her citizens will act in accordance with the laws of
their own making. The sentiment of all parties
North and South is opposed to coercion because the
public mind sees clearly that force would endanger
all.
You have the sentiments, Mr.. Editor, of Wing,
and Union man, but one who does
not believe in playing the ostrich in time of danger
hiding our eyes. Our eyes ought to be open now
f ever. MADISON.