The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1860-12-31


has right to secede. MIR. Calhoun did not
hold so. He held TINT State had right 10
nullify law OF Congress that they believed
to be stisntional. lie took that dis
tincsion busxcsn tho power of Ssats TO
nullfy law OF Congress and secession
Grounding herself upon the resolutions Of
l798-o0, be held that a State, in her sovcr.
egn capacity, judging in the last resort as to
whether law Was warranted by the Consti-
tuition or not, must be the sole judge OF the
infrnction Of the Constitution by the enact
ment Of a law, and also of the mode OF rem
edy. In that, he hardly had a second at that
period. But when you come TO the doctrine
81 secession, he himself says that that is not
. constitutional remedy. lie did not treat i,
~ such. Nay, sir, he goes much further
than tie President Of the United States has
gone IN his message, in which he declares
that the United States has no power 20 make
war upon 4 seeding State. Mr.. Calhoun
Gays we undoubtedly have that power. One
remedy be calls peaceable and constitutional,
| and rhe other not. | have not the book with
me; intended to have brought it, but forgot
it; but you will find this doctrine laid down
IN his famous letter to Governor Hamilton,
taking and working out the distinction bo-
tween peaceable notification aud seoessio
shat puts an end to oil the relationship be-
tween the General Government and the State,
and enables the General Goverr ment, il they
ace 6t, to declare war upon such State
Therefore take il that State has 20 con-
stitutionsl right to 60 out OF this Govern
ment.
l acknowledge, to the fullest extent. the
right Of revolution, il you may call it q right,
aud the destruction OF the Government under
which We live, il we are dscontcntcd With IT,,
and on its ruins to erect another more in nc
cordance with our wishes. believe nobody
ct this day denies the right; bat they that
undertake it, undertake il with this hazard !;
IL they are successful, then all is right, and
they are heroes; il they are defeated, they
| arc rebels. That is the character of all rev.
olution If successful, OF course 1t is we'll !;
ii unsuccessful, then the Government from
which they have rebelled treats them as
traitors.
| DO not say this because l appreheni that
any party intends TO make war upou a sece.
ding State; I only assert their right to do so;
but would not advise or counsel it. should
| be very tender of the rights of tho people,
| il l had full power over them who are about
TO destroy Government which they delib-
erateiy come 10 the conclusion they cannot
live under; but am persuaded that the no.
cessities OF our position compel Us to take q
more austere ground, and to hold that il a
State sscedes, although We will not make
war upon Der, we cannot recognise her right
to be out Of the Union, and she is not out
until she gains the consent OF the Union
itself: and also that tho Chief Magistrate
of the nation, will ind under the Con-
ssitution OF the United States that it is bis
sworn duty TO execute the las in every part
and parcel Of this Government; that he can.
not be released from that obligation; for
here is nothing in the Constitution OF the
United States that would warrant him 10 saw.
ing that single star has fallen from this
galaxy OF stars in the Confederacy. lie il
sworn not to know that a State has seeded
or pay the least respect TO their resolution,
that claim they have. What follows2 No,
tina. we would make war upon her, but VIZ
should have to exercise every Federal righl
over her if we bai the power; and the mos
impo rtant OF these would be tho collection
Of the revenues. There are many righti
that the Federal Government exercises oyel
the States for the peculiar benefit Of til,
people there, which, il they did not wan
they could dispense with. If they did no
want the mails carried there, the Presidep
might abolish the Offices, and cease to carr,
their mails. They might forege any sucl
duty peculiarly for the benefit OF the people
: They might not elect their officers and sent
them here. II is . privilege they have; bu
We cannot force them to do il. They hav
the right under the Constitution 10 be repre-
scented upon equal terms with any other State
bu, il they see fit to forcgo that right, an
: do not claim II, it is not incumbent upon ID
President to endeavor TO force them u do .
: aot Of thnt kind.
cations upon ther with the other ineiabe
OF the Ccnfedeacy he cannot be released from his DAFT
a Therefore, 1t will be incumbent the chlef Msgistra
10 proceed 10 collect the revenue o. ships entering the
port. precisely III the aud To the eate
that in every ether State of thr Union.
cannot release him from that obligation The Constit
ton, in thunder tones demands that he shall do III alii
I in Tie ports OF every State What follows Why. 81
he up the ports entry that ship cannot Ill
her there get papers for another
then ships viii cease to trade. Or, II he undertakes
blockade her and thus collect IT. she has not gained
epeaaenee by secession What must she do? Ii 81
10 is contensed live IN this equvoA state all would
we'll perhaps bnt she could not live there No peoy
y world could live III that condition What will III
= do2 They take the initiative and declare up
re United and the they levy ia
must by force; and they must, therefore,
= their independence by violence and There
l. other way under the that know Of wher
N Chief Magistrate OF politics could be releas
from his duty. II this State, though seseding shot
be declare against United States do Enppc
D. there il a lawyer body say that
~ IT ievying treason ans the United
That lis where il results We might well look the
Or ter right the face.
IL The Senator from Texas says-it is exactly la
!! gnage-we will force you 10 ignominious treaty UP
10 Fanneuii Hall. Well. Sir, you may. We know soa
De brave understand your prowess; want rs
with you but nevertheless. III you drive 10 that
cessity. must all the at this Governms
w d iuta1t its integrity. II
NJ thrown, must sare the fate OF thousand other
!. | rrnnents that have been subyerted. If you
~ weakest then must 20 TO tho wall and that
I'd there IL about il. That Is the condition in which
. stand, provided State sets herself ny opposition
- the General Government.
a. say that is the way 1t seems 10 me, lawyer
see power the Constitution To release Sena
y his position. Sir, III there any ether