The Van Buren press., 1860-12-21
The Course to be Pursued.

But the committee are well satisfied from
review OF the acts and principles of the
black republican party. and the many con-
crssIonS made by the South, which expert
ence has taught us, have only served to in
crease. instead of diminish northern aygres-
sions /; that 1t is time to take such a course
OF action Is will secure an eifectual demand
Tor such guarantees As will stop and prevent
present and prospective encroschments upon
cur constitutional rights-preserve the
Union and make it answer the purposes for
which 1t was created. 1t Is new manifest
that there is very strong feeling in the
South against longer continuance in the
Union, with those who have thus trampled
ON Ihc Constitution. Some OF the southe
state, have provided for the assembling OF
State Conventions, to consider the best
course to be pursued in the present cri,i,
and others are taking steps to do SO. In
few weeks, almost every southern state, If
not all, will have followed their example
There is good reason for believing, that sew
cEsl OF these states, soon their respec-
tive conventions assemble, will Withdraw
from the Union. The incoming admins
tratIon may at-empt coercion. and a war
will ensue for which history furnishes no
parallel. The southern states are unte,i by
common interest, and should consult TO-
gether np1n matters which vitality effect
their common welfare. The committee be-
lieve that this should be done in a southern
cow sntion to ne held at an e. ly d ", it
some point IN the South. BY this MEANS
rash and Incon>iderate action on the part OF
some Of the states may be preyented-an ef-
fectuai demand for such guarantees As will
ensure Us against encrOachments upon our
institutions ami constitutional rights-per-
haps a disastrous civil war averted-the
whole South united on a plan of action
devised ty her wisest aud NEST patriotic
sons, ami the Union preserved on a firm,
just and equal basis.
In conclusion, your committee would
TecoGnIueld as the only practicable solution
OF the existing and threatened disturbances
OF the peace oi the country, the union OF
the southern states for the purpose of con-
suitsIiou. and to demand their constitution
Al rights inside of the Union. In order to
this. the whole question must be referred to
the people, ami their judgment invoked in
sorpe authoritative form. This can only be
effected by calling a convention. to be as
seTbled at As early a day as practicable,
for he purpose of electing delegates to a
so, r,h.'rn convention. Early action in ref
,,r.p.., 10 . state convention is inperiously
l..,,,p,'ed. in view Of the fact that South
-I,.oliua VIII secede Immediately, unless
IN. ..n be ind .',cej to take counsel with her
s~,.,L-, sisters. 1t is idle for us tn say
,Ls, -. ,,e not bc,uni by her action. and
.bs, hc- co,r.e ought not to govern ours.
,;rorc;a FIori.,.. Te-xas, Mississippi and
nerhsns Iou;.;an, and Alabama. will re-
.ume their reserved rights. and declare
themselves out of the Un 'oh' pu' !,
South Carolina should, acting s'heiy ah',
alone, unfuTl the Palmetto st.an '"'u, anu
resuming her sovereignty. declare h'' 'n,g .M-
penience, how can Arkansas remain an 'uie
spectator of such an event. and be indiiie.'-
en-, To tine consequences which VIII In ie"
months assurediy ensue?
l; is true that the present able and patr..
stic incumbent OF the presidential chair, In
MS resent message to Congress has deciar-
ei that :. after much careful rejection he
Eas arrived at the conclusion that no pow
eE 20 coerce secesiing state has been dele
gated TO Congress or any other department
Of the federal government" And that,
'' So Ear from this power having been deie-
gatei 10 Cong,est, it was expressly refused
by the convention which framed the con-
stitUtion.''
Yet. in les, than ninety days, Abraham
Lincoln will he inausuratei as president,
and he Will doubtless finI such authority,
and. If true to his antecedcnts. will attempt
tocOerce South Carolina, or any other Sc
ceiling state, back into the Uion. In such
contest would not the patriotic and chi
vairic~pirit OF the South, rush to the de-