Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1860-12-07


as State. and not an unorganizrd mass Of
individuals, and that the action Of each State
~ns independent Of the others, and if any
proof of this fact be wanting it may be found
in the action of North Carolina, which State
did not enter the Union until more than year
aftcrit was formed 10y the admission of mine
States, which mum er was required by the
Convention that adopted the present Con,titu.
ton Of tn. United States
1t is true that no provision is made in the
Constitution for dissolving the Union, and 1t is
very probnblc that the patriots who framed
the instrument had no idea that loathso,no
fanaticism, pandcred 10 by Northern politi
clans. would ever make it necessary for tho
safety of the South that they should dissolve
the compact on occount Of its violation by the
vsher section Of the Confrieracy but it must
be remembered ms rule of universal upplica-
tlon, that rotation of n compact or agree
ment by party releases the other party
from its binding obligation, and the only ques.
tion is, who is judge of the infraction. From
che very nature Of The case, in n compact with
sovcreigns, thcr. can he no umpire, unless one
is provided by the instrument itself. and in the
Judge Of the infraciion ani the mode and inca
sure Of relress." 4 compact between sovereign
States, with the understanding that the mnjori.
~ shoul put their construction upon its pro-
visions would not be worth the paper upon
which it was written. M"jor,ies need no
projections. for they con protect themselves.
but minoritics insist upon constitutions to re-
strain the mnjoIity, and to allow it to put its
construction upon the compact, is equivalent to
giving them absolute power to govern the
minority irrespective Of any restraints.
The simple statement of the case is this
each State entered the Union under the Con-
stitution; the Federal Government is the agent
of the States, created for special purposes and
circumscI bed in lis action by the orticles Of
agreement, or in other words the Constitution.
Whenever the States having the power to
control this agent permit or commaud him to
violate the compact. each State, not having
surrecdered its sovereignty, has n right to re-
monstrate or withdraw ~ she may think pro-
per, and no earthly power has the right to
prevent her.
1t is urged by SONG MS an argument against
secession, that the existing Government would
lie destroyed by n State seeding; that the
revenue laws would become imperative and
the wheels of Government stand stil NV an
swer is this, that in the exercise of mn undoub-
cd right and helng forced to exercise it by the
party that is likely to suffer. il cannot COM
plain of the consequences Of its own acts. If
South Carolina rcccde, the Government will he
in no worse condition, except for very short
time thop If would In hnep if
lima had never entered the Union, which is
acknowledged on all hands she was not bound
to do.
The idea that ma ajorty must always gov
ern. which has taken possession ofthe Northern
mind, is rs mischievous as it is fallacious, and
is coDtrndicted by all the anaIogies of a Re
publican government. If mere majority is
togovern, why have two houses of Congress
Senate and House Of Representatives. Why
give the President the veto power3 Why sub
nit the action Of all three to judicial trbu-
nalf Why require jnrics to be unanimous in
giving their verdict The conclusion is irrcsis.
tble that it is for the protection of minorities
and the safety Of the citizen. | may be asked
II minority should govnrn. My answer Is,
no: but ,hey should be able. by constitutional
restrictions, to restrain the jority from acts
of injustice and oppression. In the copnrtner
ships formed by individuals, the minority is
not permitted to construe the article OF agree
ment to the injury of the minority, but in this
case there is disintersted tribunal to decide
the question. In compact between States,
from the nature of the case, there con be no
tribunal to decide violations of it, and the
remedy mast be dissolution of the agreement
without any right oil the port Of the majority
OF the Stat. to prevent the withdrawal Of any
OF the parties, otherwise might would make
right. and compact be an unmeaning and
worthless piece of parchment.
ltfollows from the views presented, that
the Federal Government cannot rightfully use
force to prevent State from seeding or force
her back into the Union but, in the language
Of the late Judge Harper: "men having arms
IN their hands may use them ;" and l cannot
too earnestly urge uron you the Importance of
arming the State at the earliest practicable
period, and thus be prepared for the worst 1t
Is gratifying to Know that if we must resort 10
arms in defence Of our rights and blow
should be struck at South Carolina before the
other States move up in line, we have the ten
der Of volunteer from all the Southern and some
of the Northern States, to repair promptly to
our standard and share our fortunes
In urging the State to arm, it is not to be un-
derstood that we are defenceless; by examin-
ing the report Of the Adjutant and Inspector
General here with transmitted You will see
that We have sufficient arms to supply the nun
Der of soldiers that will probably be necessary
for some time to come, and many Of our arms
nte VI the host approved patterns; but no
one can tell what a day may bring forth, and
it is wise precaution TO prepare in time. !
cannot permit myself to believe that in the
mandness of passion an attempt will be made
by the present or next administration to coerce
South Carolina, after secession, by refusing to
surrender to her the larbor defences, or by
interfering with her imports or exports; bu,
if ! am mistaken in this, we must accept the
ISSUE and meet it rs becomes men and freemen
who IN all the calmness Of determined reso-
1utiop, infinitely prefer annihilation to dis
grace.
We cannot penetrate the dark future; il
may be "flIed with ashes, tears and blood
but let us so forward in the discharge Of oul
duty, with an unwavering trust in God, and
consciousness that anything is preferable te
dishonor and degradation. WI. II. GIST.
NorE-In adlt ion to what has been said
postal matters the present arrangement might
be continued by on agreement between tn.
State and the Federal authorities for a eiyer