Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-02-20
RICHMOND WHIG.
REPELIING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, &c
To the Editor of he Whiy:


To the Editor of hc Wig:
The correspondence between Governor Wise and Pres
ideut Buchanan relation the late raid at Harpers
Ferry the comments upon that correspondence by Gov
Wise, in his last message and the legislation now pro-
posed in Congress on the subject of the invasion of one
State from another, have attracted unusual attention TO
those provisions Of the Constitution OF the United States
which refer to 'inyasions' and domestic violence"
Art sec f. of that Constitutions 'The United States
shall guaru to every State in this Union republican
form of government and shsll protect each OF them
against invasion and on application OF the Legislature
or Of the Executive (when the Legislature cannot be
convened against domestic violence
Here three things that the ued States in their ar
gvegate capacity may aud shall 10 for each OF the States
guaranty hera republican form OF governments y pro-
her from invasion and t3 protect her from dome
tic violence but they afford her this last species Of
service only when invited by her Executive, or
her l. gsature unless the domestic violence assume
a form and front which threaten the destruction OF her
republican system OF government In such c1ae they
might perhaps have the power to 2t ana protect her
without invitation Wheuever then, any State be me-
naced with violence il becomes necessary IN order to
Judge correctly OF tine mode and extent in and TO which
the Federal power may rShtiy iuterpose in her behalf
20 ascertain whether Is invasion, ~ domestic 'Iu
leHce aud il domestic violence, cOuradlStiugu!shcd
from "nyaOn then Urher 10 ascertain whether or not
t designs or tends TO overthrow her republican instu
tions
An Inaccurate definition Of these important "nva
I
be understood dg the trainers Of the Consultation" thus
becomes Indispensable for proper opinion as TO the
powers and duties of the Federal Government IN such
emergencies In cases, she may come unashed IN
Others she must wait for invitation. We're she TO In
tcrveuc of her accord IN IN which she should
have waited for executive legislative solicitation, It
would be an iuuuSOu-a violation OF the reserved aud
sovereign rights of the States Governor Wise thought
that John Browns Oray projected from without the
limits of Virginia was an INVASION and that the en-
,ro bru is
Union for the purpose of attempting to rescue him and
his associate murderey would be an invasion Hence
he gave notice the President, but did not apply for
Federal aid The President thought he could not conStl-
tutionay iutepose, but sent lew troops TO the t. >
arsenal a, Ilirpers Ferry WhereupOn Governor Wise,
in his last message Indignantly excaims -"Aud what
spectacle the United States would have presented on the
2ud (of Dec an army of fanatics had i'rdad Virginia,
TO rescue lc0us legally convicted, and bloody battle
had been Joined and the United States land forces az T
pers Ferry had stood neutral spectators guarding only the
L. :. arsenal and playing posse co,tdtw TO an United
States Marshal but allowed TO aid the execution OF the
laws OF State, 20 r,pel Invasion, because the tHied
S'aisy were nor invaded from foreign country or by l
dian tribes The bare statement revolving 20 the 4th
section OF the fourth article othc Constitution guarantee
ing 10 every State protection against 'DrlSoH &c &c
But ii the entry of army OF fanatics iron other
States OF the Union be invasion IN the sense n-
tended bv the framets of the Constitution; the federal
troops would have no right unless applied for by State
authorities engage in any such battle. II such an ar
my would only create what the Constitution means by
domestic violence then It's coming for the purpose OF
rescue and of Oyerhrowiug republican Institutions
In Que Sae would give the President right 10 send
Us AID unless asked for and the Federal troops would be
inactive spectators, and mere posse coDUHidtHs, only
because Gov Wise preierring to fight his own baitesto
execute our laws and whip enemies with Lis own
State forces, scorucd to call upon Hercules
IL is, then, interesting inquiry whether or not his
construction OF the Constitution is correct Taking the
,.,GtI. nm nrrsfv vol
be nearly tuo quite convinced by his impetuous and
forcible reasoning; myself much inclined 10 con-
eur with him. but seeing that the true Interpretation de-
pended upon what the fathers OF the instrument meant
and intended examination OF 1t as question OF Con-
s,i,utioua Law, has greatly modified Ii not changed, my
previous impressions What light ifany, has been thrown
on the subject BY Mr. Douglas aud other Senators have
not seem Mr. Hunters long and able speech on Mr..
Douglas resolutions does not touch this subject.
The history OF the Constitution shows will presently
be seen that il certainly was intended give tbeFeGea
Government power 10 protect each Of It's members and
peace aud tranquility throughout the COueder~cy
But still i. Union between sovereign States aud It
might very properly be adjusted, that against certain
great external Of violence tue general govern
should nterpoe, Of its own inherent ch and du-
tv but that for certain others however grea, and alarm
ing arising rtdig ns CoHts6erdcy, though proceeding
from one State into, against another the general gov
eminent should not nterpose, upon the invitation OF
the State against whom ts internal nternal to the Tn
ion even though external 70 herself violence direct
ed Such adjustment seems % have been made; and
our wise and patriotic fathers may have overlooked
as so unnatural as 70 be impossible any such thing
armed demonstration from State against another,
" hilst the Union was still subsstng. II they did
wholly overlook To- still they may have thought that it
would be best TO leave each STATE free in such
tyr-ssss TO Judge for herself hoE far she needed
would accept Federal assistance. She might cOyet the
glory and honor OF proving her ability protect herself
from anv and all of her coordinate members well
from every disturbance within her own borders but if
not let her apply 20 the Federal head She might pre-
fer TO run some risk from dangers that might assi her
rather than set follow the example OF calling for aid
uuon the Federal head but if danger became so immi
nent that selpro,ection quick protection outweghed
these considerations OF State PRIDE STATE honor and State
rrhs-hen let her invite the nterpOstOn C the whole
United States. IT, then, the invasion refer only
20 fJreiqH nvaSOn-irOm source external to the
Couedcracv domestic violence would embrace every
disturbance that arose within the COnederacy, though
not confined within the limits Of any State. Nor
this Interpretation DO wrong to any State for she need
Federal aij or protection she get IT, by applying for
it, If she really need it, she is entitled to it. and should
not be ashamed to ask it. Whereas it may be really
more con,onaut with the idea and the preservation of her
sovereignty and her reserved rights that the Federal
Government should have few very few grounds for un-
solicited land it may be unneeded and unaccepabe,)
interference by way of alleged protection in her affairs,
and for quarterng troops within her limits IN their
ordinary rendeyOuz aud stations in time of peace.
The history of the provision referred to VII now be
adduced for the purpose OF showing what its authors
meant But division Of the subject here may be expe-
dent.
RcwoNp, Feb 18TH RONIM.