Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1860-12-27
Secession.

father and his son "a school boy just in his
teens) will show:
Boy-Father, | heard them talking about Sc
cession on the street to-day. What does ssces-
sion mean?
Father-It means State seeding from the
Union, or in other words withdrawing fellow
ship and interests, and setting up an indepen-
dent government by itself.
Boy-Can State enter into, and 90 out Of,
the Union when it CHOOSES to do so?
F@hr-Ncw States may be admitted into
the Union after forming Il Republican govern
ment and asking admission, if Congress thinks
best to admit them And some POLITICIANS
contend that they can 80 out when they please
Boy-Well, that isa queer idea. If State
can only be admitted by the consent Of Con-
grcss, what propriety is there in allowing her
to go out without any action of Congress on
the subject?
Fotha-Tho State, by its organization, be-
comes sovereign and Independently possesses
State rights.
boy-po all the States stand On equal loot-
ing in this respect?
f@l"e'-1es' One has no more right to Sc
oeue Juan announcer. Hac'' mas 'no same power
to dissolve the Union.
BOy-I thought considerable of the Terrific
y out Oh when 0'"'eS nave neen iormed' was
ei''of !'olcIlaSeo OF obtained oy conquest Gan
'heSe 81 OUT 100
f0'"S'-' 0no '''a'o mas Inc same power IN tniS
respect as another You are right IN your idea
IN relation to the manner OF acquiring the Ter
rltory Several States have been formed out OF
the Louisiana purchase, Florida was ceded after
long and expensive Indian war, Texas cost a
mint OF money. The acquisition by conquest
of Territory from Mexico cost vast amount,
and there is no end to the expenses attending
the settlement Of Indian claims to other Terri
tory.
B0y-Well, it seems to me very foolish fol
Congress to admit States into the Union, with
the right to 60 out when they please, after
oO AuGSIl 4!4OuFJ IL tilClI NtCQuIoIIlOl
Whyno let them remain Territories, subject tl
our laws, and under the Government of the
United States?
Father--By adding new States to the Union
it strengthen the Government, makes it more
powerful, so that it commands more respect
from the other Governments of the Globe.
Boy don't see it in that way think
just the reverse of this. The more States, the
more liable to be broken up, and the weaker
the Government, if each Stcte can break up
the Union at pleasure! Suppose Massachu-
setts should go out, who would collect the Rev
enuo at Boston?
Fdther-Oh, Massachusetts,, Of course, would
collect her own revenue, if she should set uE
an independent government. But we might
have the shipping come to New York.
Boutwell,, what if New York steps out
too?
Father-Why, in that case, we should per
haps have to resort to Direct Taxation. Some
folks think that is the more Just way to pay
the public expenses.
.Boy-Supposo Maryland goes out, how car
Congress get togethcrl
Fathsr-In that case we should have tc
make Treaty with Maryland and get tho
right Of way to the Capital or establish one al
some other place.
Boy-Well, should think if the Union
hangs by such loose threads, it would be diff
cult to know what size the Capitol should be
what point would be central for its location
and how often it would be necessary to build
But, say, father, new thought has come
into my head. Cant we make something out
of this? Ever since the Prince of Wales was
here last fall, | have been thinking that
would ike 10 De as oig man, and have as