New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-11-22
CALEB CUSHING on THE STATE OF THE
Union

UNION.
Ii will be seen from the following letter which ex
plains itself that Gen. Gushing to address the citi.
zens of Newburyport OF the state of the Union. His
Grafton il to be given on Saturday and Monday even
ings Nov. "a and 26:
Hon. ALBERT CURRiER-De0r SIR: / had the
honor, some time SINCE to receive communication
from yourself and large number Of other sgners re-
quesng me to address the citizens Of Newburyport on
TIE subject Of the state Of the Union.
To do 70 at that time seemed TO me announcement
first because of my belief of tue mpossibty, pending
the Presidential canvass, OF the accommodation OF the
points of controversy between those who, while thus
differing temporary, incidental or personal ques-
tons Yet, in my Judgment alike the true friends
of the Constitution; and secondly, because of special
reluctance to put myself in the position Of partlzan
conflict with any of my immediate fellow-cpzens OF
this city.
But all those questions have passed away, and
Welded peace to Others Of a higher order and more
comprehensive character, apIertaining TO the now
imminent peril OF the dissolution of the American
Union.
To the imminence Of that peril it is longer per-
mitted us to continue III for years we have done,
willfuly TO shut eyes. Ii forces itself upon us In
report Of official acts it has become the chief topic OF
the newspapers 1t preoccupes all minds We feel IT.
throughout the country i'll the decline Of the yendable
value Of stocks, merchandise, and real estate, and In
the universal disturbance Of domestic PRODUCTIONS,
trade and labor.
God forbid that, at such a moment, anything should
be done said by to add to the intensity Of sOici
tude which already exists In this relation. On the
other hand there If but thing To allay II, which
can be done OF said by in the State of Massachu-
setts.
Ii avails nothing for us in Massachusetts discuss
the question OF the expediency or nexpedency OF &C.
cesOn, and to endeavor To impress on the Southern
States the sacrednees of the Union. SO long the
State Of Massachusetts maintains system Of egisl
ton plainly contrary TO the Constitution III the very
matter Of the special rights of the Southern States all
ears are cosed to appeals in behalf of the Union from
us To such appeals the answer Is ready, that when
duly regard the Constitution ourselves and not
Ill then, it will be competent to Us to exhort other
States 10 respect and observe 1t; that otherwise
but meanly enjoying the benefits OF the compact
without disclarging its Obligations and that our lau-
dation Of the Union is alike odious and ridiculous,
while cling To it only the means of exertng the
power of the Federal Government to tho spollatlon,
oppression and wrong OF fifteen States of the Union.
How deeply therefore, any citizen OF the State
of Massachusetts may deploe the possibility of the dis
solution Of the Union she Is utterly poweress to dis
suade any other State from seeking promoting its
dissolution.
The notification laws of Massachusetts were pot
only no-t deliberately enacted III the first instance but
the question their repeal has been earnestly moved
in the Legislature of the State, first by Mr.. Charles
Hale and atterward by myself; and although some
proyeions OF mere enacerbatiOn in those laws have
been repealed the recommendation OF Gov. Banks,
vet the vicious substance still subsists, and has but
st been carefully retnaeted in the general revision OF
the statues.
yainly therefore would the State of Massachusetts,
adno1rh the State of South Carolina TO observe the
Constitution OF uphold the Union. Il we would have
equity, we must do equity, and 60 into court with
clean hardz Lectures on loyalty to the Federal Con-
siuon come with POOR grace from obstinate and sys-
renatic violaors of the Constitution. There II but
one thing odious and absurd than that, and 10
the idea of Massachusetts, herself in state Of pern
nent rebellion TO the Constitution and laws OF the Union
assuming other States into punetllious ODE
diente the Constitution and the laws OF the Union
:. ftala rfralAG Of h..
stiuton which, with her particular notions OF right
and wrong the State Of Massachusetts cannot will
fulfill and obey, then every consideration OF honor
truth faith, conscience, virtue, religion, would lmpel
her either seeede AT from the Union herself or
10 cooperate with Virginia in the call of Constitu
tiOna Convent TO revive the terms OF the Federal
compact at least manfuily to extend 10 South Caro-
lima the right hand of cordial notification and seces-
zion fellowship.
Our forefatbers, when they found the Government
OF the country be- up the hight OF their stand
ard Of liberty morality, strove III the hrst place TO
change the government, and failing IN that they with
drew themselves from it. In such course, there was
dignity and spirit both there is none in keeping the
good OF the Union and refusing 1T price, asserting the
bond Of the Constitution where il Ii favorable 10
Massachusetts and repudiaing where 1t is favorable
South Carolina. Conduct of the latter Sort in ordi
nary life, has ugly names-as cheating, swindling
fadsnd deserves soiter sppela,ion IN the acts
Of State or people
Furthermore, 70 long as the State Of Massachusetts
percy in tr notification OF the Constitution, she
affords not pretex only but iustihcatory cause 10
the State of South Carolina, 10 that of Georgia
Alabama Mississippi or any other State otherwne DIS.
yo-eo TO secede Tor the violation of the fundamental
compact of association by one OF the contracting par
liz. eryes in morality ne well as law, TO resase the
others: and the unconstitutional and dshonossbe ai
tnde of the State in this matter il not less miscevous
in another respect, to wit Its obvious tendency to
parslyze the conservative efforts OF Southern
States not vet prepared to secede, such Maryland
Virginia, North Carolina Kentucky aud Tennessee.
think there il duty in this behalf which il is in.
cumtent on Massachusetts and every loyal citizen OF
tie State TO perform-one which il is never too early
to enter upon and never too late to persist in and
wi ch il is peculiarly fitting for undertake now
namely, 70 repeal unconditiorAll, these laws, which
seandnlousy ialst III thef pro es-on of purpose
which are ,yrnnica IN thar domestic and treasonsble
in their Federal ela'i0D, md wbd ni,cep.eai ths