The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1860-12-06
Cen. Cushing on Secession.

Gen. Gushing on Secession.
We find in the Boston papers the fol-
lowing letter from the Hon. Caleb Cush-
ing, of Massachusetts,, in reply to an invi-
tation to address the citizens of Newbury
port on the state of the, country" The
letter is we'll worth reading:
Hon. Albert Curier-Dear &r:-I had
the honor, some time since, to receive
communication from yourself and large
number of other signers, requesting me to
address the. citizens of Newburyport on
the subject of the state Of the Union.
To do so at that time seemed to mic in
convenient, first, because Of my belief Of
the impossibility, pending the President
al canvass, of the accommodation of the
points of controversy between those, who,
while thus differing on temporary, incident
al,,orpersonal questions, were yet, in my
Judgment, alike the true friends of the
Constitution; and, secondly, because of
special reluctance to put myself in the pos
ition of partisan conflict with any of my
Immediate fellow-citizcns of this city.
But all those questions have passed
away, and yielded place to others of a
higher order and more comprehensive
character, appertaining to the now i'm
minent peril of the dissolution of the Amer
lean Unioa.
To the immincnce of that peril, it is no
longer permitted to us to continue, as for
years we have done, wilfully to shut our
eyes. 1t forces itself upon us in report of
official acts; it has become the chief topic
of the newspapers; it pre-occupies all
minds; we feel it, throughout the coun-
trv. in the decline of the vendiblo value of
stocks, merchandise and real estate, and
in the universal disturbance of domestic
productions, trade and labor
God forbid that, at such q moment, any
thing should be done or said by me to add
to the intensity of solicitude, which al
ready exists in this relation. On the
other hand, there is but one thing to allay
it, which can be done or said by OF in the
State of Massachusetts.
1t avails nothing for us, in Massachu-
setts, Ito discuss the question of the expedi-
ency or inexpediency of Secession, and to
endeavor toimpress on the Southern States
the sacredness of the Union. Solong as the
State of Massachusettsmain system
of legation plainly contrary to the Con-
stitution in the very matter Of thc-special
rights of the Southern States, all ears are
closed to appeals in behalf of the Union
from us. To such appeals the answer is
ready, that when we duly regard the Con-
stitution ourselves, and not until then, it
will be competent to us to eXhort others
States to respect and observe it; that,
otherwise, we are but meanly enjoying
the benefits of the compact without dis
charging its obligations; and that our lau-
dation of the Union is alike odious and
ridiculous, whilst we cling to it only as
the means Of exerting the power Of the
Federal Government to the spoilation,
oppression, and wrong of fifteen States of
the Union. How deeply soever, there
fore, any citizen ofthe State of Massachu-
setts may deplore, the possibility of the
dissolution Of the Union, she is utterly
powerless to dissuade any other State
from seeking or promoting its dissolu-
tion
The nullihcation laws of Massachusetts,
were not only most deliberately enacted
in the first instance, but the question of
their repeal has been earnestly moved in
the Legislature of the State, first by Mr..
Charles Hale, and afterward by myself;
and although some provisions of mere ex-
acerbation in those laws have been re-
pealed on the recommendation of Gov.
Banks, yet the vicious substance still ex-
lists, and has but just been carefully re-en-
acted in the general revision of the stat
utes.
Vainly, therefore, would the State of
Massachusetts admonish the State of
South Carolina to observe the Constitu-
tion or uphold the Union. If we would
have equity, we must do equity, and in
to court with clean hands Lectures on
loyalty to the Federal Constitution come
with poor grace from obstinate and syste-
80 flo v,io1oto,s of tho Con ns+itu+;on nbo, .