The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1860-12-13

treason is SO widely spread. and that sympath,
with Soath Carolina traitors will be s;ronge
than devotion to the Union. Should such b,
the case however il should not, 10 nv Judgment
change the course we ought TO pursue. If th'
people Of the other Southern States will not per
NIT the enforcement of the laws in South Caro-
lima, IT would be evidence that they were intend
ing 10 follow her example at their own conve-
nience. II they intend to stay 10 the Union
and adhere to its fortunes. they vii! thrust NJ
obstacles in the way OF the General Governmen
to prevent its compelling obedience to the laws
Mere caprice and pride will not determine thei
action IN IN tier So momentous, Involving the
destinies of millions for all time But if such il
their purpose, and such I e condition of public
sentiment. We cannot know the fact too soon
that w may prepare for the worst l am moi
willing to believe that the bad example of South
Carolina would be followed by any other States
i-certainly by not more than one or two. II
South Carolina gets out of the Union l trust il
sill be at the point of the bayonet after our best
Efforts have failed to compel her to submission
/ to the laws Better concede her Independence
10 force, 20 revolution. than to right and princ-
/ pie. Such concession cannot be drawn into
pre- .edent and Construed into admission that
we are bat a combination of petty States, any
cne of which has a right to seceie and set up
for herself whenever il suits her temper or views
OF her pecuiar interest. Such contest let ii
terminate as 1t NAV, would be a declaration 10
| the other States of the only terms upon which
they would be permitted to withdraw from the
Union.
The looping off of South Carolina by the
sword Of revolution would not disturb the unity
OF the balance OF the nation; but woald simply
be diminution from ts aggregate power 10 the
extent of her resources and population. Not
wlthstanding the American revolution terminated
so disasterously to the British Government after
an enormous expenditure of blood and treasure,
accompanied by such humiliation of the nation
al pride, still it preserved the integrity of the
r manning portion of the Empire Had our
claims to indeoendence been at once recognized
and conceded by the mother country, aud the l3
colonies peaceaby allowed to constitute a sepa-
rate government, ard take their place among the
n ations of the earth, an example would have
been set and admission made of which every
colony, Island and dependency of the empire
would have speedily claimed the benefit The
Canada, the East and West Iudies and Austria
liza would. in turn. point to this epoch in British
history as o palpab'e and unconditional avowal
of the doctrine that tn y had the right under
the British constitution at any time peaceably to
terminate their allegiance to the crown, and Sc
cede from the empire. An admission of the ex-
istence of right SO made, could it be eractei
at all, could only be at the end of numerous civil
and bloody wars
Shall We nos surrender the Nation without
struggle. and let the Union go with merely u
few hard words? Shall we encourage faintbe art
ed traitors to pursue their treason by advising
them in advance that it will be safe and success-
ful? II it was worth a bloody struggle to esfab
iish this Nation, it ia worth to preserve it,
And trust that we shall not by surrende:ing
with indecent haste. publish to the world that
the inheritance our fathers purchased with their
blood, we have given mp TO save ours.
Seven years is bat day in the life Of nation.
and | would rather come out of a struggle at the
bat TOD
independence to successful revolution, than To
purchase present peace by The cnnces sion of
principle that must inevitably explode this
tIoa into small and dlsaonorei fragments. Bat
OF the result Of such struggle, | should enter
tain the utmost hope and confidence.
lie who compares orr glorious war for liberty
and ndenendence against grinding oppression to
another war to be set on foo; for the propaga
tion Of human slavery. TO crush out liberty OF
speech aud cf the press, and TO inaugurate and
revive with all i,s untold aud indescribable ho--
rors the African slave trade. must have indit-
f-r,nt idea f the Justice of that Providence who
holds in his ANA tae issue of bate.
To em; 10y :be iangu ige of a great statesman.
"Srrely toe Almighty has no attribute that could
take sides with them IN such contest"
will not stop TO argne the right Of secess on.
The whole question is summed up in this propo-
sition: Are we one Nation, one people, or
thirty three Nations, or thirfy-three iudap ntelt
and pretty States? The statement Of the prop
osifion furnishes ne answer. II We are oae Na-
ton, then 10 State has right 10 secesle. Sc
cess OF can ouy be the resu', of successful revc-
!utio". answer The question for yon, aud
know tha, nv answer wi.i find response in ev-
cry true meTicaa heart. that are o;.e people,
one Na,ioi undivided and indivisi bic.
AT the cuuc.us'o. Of Judge Mortons spee, b
a paper was handed 10 him, of whch the fo-
lowing Is copy:
This is understood to be meeting to rejoice
over the election of ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
"Will the speaker please state to bis audi
ence-
81 Whether or not his party rejoice over the
universal bankruptcy ard ruin now about to fal
upon our country, as consequence of that elec
tion.
2 Whether they rejoice that the free falor,
and the free idborers about which they have
told US so much are on the eve of being turned
out Of employment and s'd' ved as consequence
of that e.ection.
Whether they rejoice at the prospect of
fra,erual strife and internecine war, which now
presents itself in the immediate future, as con-
sequence of that election.
i. Whether they rejoice 10 the humiliation Of
being compelled, By the exigences of The times,
to accept the very principle announced and main
tanned by Stephen A. Douglas t~hom they have
denounced and vili6sd for mis- steadfast advocacy
of ill., as the ONLY basis Of Union aod peace
hereafter; or, on the other hand. whether they
rejoice in the certainty that the honest adherence
to their own principles and doctrines, will assure
the speedy destruction of 'h ir country, and
demonstrate the failure of Republican govern
ments to the world GosDoS Tanner.
November %, 1861
Mr. Morton read the paper. and then said ::
As recognize the person wlose name is signed
to this paper as . gentleman, will ~ith pleas
ure attempt TO respond to bis interrogatories.
answer to the first question. that we rejoice
over our victory because il is the triumph Of
truth and the success Of correct aud time-hoaor-
ed principlea Should bankruptcy and ruin fall
upon the country. We should deplore it most
deeply Bot We should not ,egsrd it as the
consequence of the election Of Abraham Lin
coin or feel that any responsibility rested upon
US, but in il recognize the legitimate results of
the means employed By our sdversaries to effect
our defeat and destruction.
To the second question, answer that should
~free laho-- lose its re ward and free lsborers