Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-12-12

Joined the Republican party as retaliaory measure,
adopted in resentment Of the repeal of the Missouri om
promise which they regarded little less sacred ana
binding than the Constitution and in further resentment
Of the attempt to force the Lecompton Constitution upon
the people OF Kansas But that they have 80 sig-
naly trumphed in the late election and In view oil the
evils already inflicted upon the country, and the still
greater evils 10 be apprehended they VIII De content 70
cease the war upon southern interests and feelings
For the foregoing reasons feel confident that the
Ssth Congress will exhibit falling of In the strength OF
the Republican party, instead Of an increase.
4th All the existing grievances OF which the South
NAV Justly complain can be redressed IN the Union
As TO the indgny, not to say insult, offered TO the
South of nominating and eecng the candidates Tor the
two highest offices Of the Government by sectional
psrty, on principles which practically excluded the
Southern States from voice in the election, contrary 70
established usage and in violation OF the spirit oil the Con
stuton they may be pardoned for the sake OF peace
and harmony, and in consideration that the south mas
not been guitless Of having contributed aud that IN no
small degree to increase the violence and asperites OF
the slavery controversy between the two sections.
In expressing the opinion that all grievances may be
redressed in the Union, intended 10 exclude other
greater offences which have been apprehended IRON Re
nublican domination and which OF possible occur
renee How they shall be redressed, should they unhap
PLY occur will call for counsels; but SUFFICIENT
unto the day is the evil thereof"
The existing grievances are the distractions interposed
by some of the nonslavehoding States to the prompt
and faithful execution OI Tue TuBh'o piaNc law "
what are allied Personal Liberty Laws and the refusal
of the Governors of several of those States to surrender
fugiyes from Justice from the save-boding States, IN
those cases in which the crime imputed TO the fugitive is
the abduction stealing Of slaves Some further legs
aon by Congress may be required to secure the surre
der of such fugtves but the due enforcement OF the
Fugitive Slave Law is all that is required to redress the
grievances arising from the escape and abduction oil
slaves from the Southern States The President is armed
with sufficient power and means TO enforce this law IN
defiance Of all distractions which may be thrown in the
way to defeat it. II he negects or fails TO see 1t execu-
ted, he Is liable to impeachment.
The next subject which purposed to myself to no.
tce briefly is the doctrine theory OF secession, which,
as understand IT, Is the right claimed TO exist under
and by the Constitution in the exercise OF which State
may withdraw from the Union, whenever majority oil
the citizens may decide do So for any whatever
For il ia quite mmatera whether any grievance or wrong
sustained at the hands of the coSaies by the action
of the Federal Government is set up TO justify the ex'
ercise Of this right not, irasmuch as the
people of the seeding State under this theory, claim
be the sole tribunal or judges to decide whether
any such grievance wrong has been inflicted, and
upon the extent and suficency of the wrong
In fact, the theory Of secession implies the
right Of State to Dissolve It's connection with the Union
at dscreton and the whole question resolves itself into
this whether the Federal Unon it now exists and as
il was intended be by its trainers, is anything more
than voluntary association OF States for common de-
eace and other objects Of vital importance TO their inter-
ests and prosperity carrying with it binding obga
ton upon any of the States to yield obedience to the
Federal Government any longer than such State should
consider it expedient propose to enter into no eaoo
rate argument demonstrate the unsoundness OF this
theory and show that such right was reserved by
the Constitution either to the States or TO the people,
That has often been done by ADLER pens must be per-
mitted however TO say that when its nature properly
defined and its logical and necessary consequences are
canddy stated its absurdity must strike the commonest
and folly aside from
its absurdity will be illustrated by single example:
The possession and control OF the mouth Of the Mssis
ppi was held 10 be of such vital Importance to the inter-
ests of the people nhabitng the valley othe Mississippi
in being the great outlet to market Of the rich products
of their soil az TO make It's acquisition either by pur
chase or conquest great political necessity. The pur-
chase was made by the United States for that reason, at
cost of fifteen million OF dollars. 1t stipulated In
the treaty of cesson that the territory thereby acquired
should be admitted into the Union State, or States,
with all the rights and privileges of the other States OF
the Union. But can be supposed that Mr. Jefferson
and the other great statesmen of that day. II they inter
preted the Constitution the advocates of the theory OF
secession now do would have been nefaby stupid and
blind consequences "a TO have assented TO such Sup
ulstiong Far wiser and better would il have been 10
TO have paid FIVE the price, and TO have held the
country as subject province, having first amended the
Constitution so as to authorize such holding. And
should Louisiana secede from the Union and set up
an independent government in the exercise Of the right
of secession supposug the right to exist there
be any doubt that the commercial aud political me-
cessity which led to its original acquisition would lead to
its sutugaon by the government OF the United States
or by the States interested in the navigation OF the Mis-
sissippi river and ito tributaries?
After due consideration Of the fgbef wish o. lHgg
conclusion that secession is but another for
ganzed resistance by State 10 the laws and constituted
authorities Of the Union or which is the thing for
revolution. The theory appears me to have been
ceved and propagaed in spirit of disaiiection to the
Union and other purpose than TO lead the
unsuspecting and creduous into the support Of the
scheme OF dsunon under the deusive expectation that
they would only be thereby exercising right reserved to
them under the Constitution and that they would be 10
no danger of mourning the penalties Of treason Of
posing themselves and their country to the caames Of
civil war.
In the preceding pages of this letter, have attempt
ed TO show that the friends of the Union in the South
should not despair OF obtaining redress from the North
Of all existing grievances and that the prospects of be-
ing able the greater ones OF which there may
be some apprehension in future so encouraging that
il would be the of rashness and folly think Of
resong any Of redress not warranted by the
Constitution. What gives the greatest concern, at
present is the painful conviction that the movement in
favor of secession in Mississippi and other States Of the
South is led for the most part by men Of distinguished
ability and influence with whom the expectancy OF seces-
sion is foregone conclusion and settled conviction
men who can be reached by no argument or remon'
strance-tnen VINO 10 not want DC COuNluCcu Oi
rslciency of existing grievances TO justify disruption
OF the Unon-men whose imagnations have been taken
possession Of aud their judgments led captive, by the
dazzling but as think delusve vision of new, great,
and glorious Republican empire, stretching FAR into the
South The scheme Of disuuion have reason to be-
eve has been long cherished by Of these leaders
andthey have only waited pretext more plausible than
any heretofore presented attempt the accomplishment
OF it,
What between the irH,mmatory appeals and highly
coored and exaggerated story OF wrong and oppression
already endured and the still more noerable oppression
to be anticipated from the fanatic spirit of the North,
the Que hand and the glowing pictures and seductive
representations OF the grandeur, power and prosperity
OF the new Republic the other hand 1t is not surprs
ing tbata body Of highly gifted men, strongly excited
and carried along by their fancies have been able
to mislead many thousands OF peculiarly excitabe and
impossible population against the dictates of their sober
judgements. And it is a sad reflection that upon the
speedy return Of this class of Southern citizens wiser
and temperate counsels may depend the fate OF the
Union Nay no hope be INDUCED that little lime for
calm thou sht will suffice for the change Of what 10
be their present purpose aud determination Pa little
time for reflection upon the nature aud amount of evils
which certain TO attend revolutionary movement,
and also upon other aud appalling contingent evils,
which may and probably will arise between It's beginning
and consummation.
do not forget that am addressing, through you,
brave men who ready die in vindcaton of their
honor in defence of what they believe TO be their
rights, do not appeal to their fears
But whatever may be the final decision of the people
Of Mississippi upon the graves question presented
to their consideration and which Jnust deeply affect the
relations existing between them and the people Of Ten
nessee and Of every other State of the South cannot
bring myself the conclusion all the existing evidences
to the contrary, that Mississippi will take upon herself
the responsibility of doing that would expose the
peace and security of her States of the South
direct andeminent danger and perhaps decide their des
TIMES for veal forever without previous consul
i -