, 1860-02-11
39ress& Triihu1lr.


HOW TO DISSOLVE THE onion.
Some persons talk about dlssolvinS the
, Uniou as though it were Il feat to be accom-
plished by public meeting and set OF reso-
lutsons--a Southern convention perhaps, and
au inAammatory address sigued by tic Presi-
don't and Secretary. There is no law, and
there Gun be none preventing American citi-
zens from assembling together. in . peaceahlo
manucr TO consider and take action on the
affairs Of tic llation. Senator Douglas is the
first man who has indicated the propricty Of
enacting such law, but it is nevertheless un-
constitutional and impossible. Southern Con-
vcntioas ars. in, order ut: NIL times, and their
resolutions, no matter how reasonable in SEN
timent, are harmless in The eye Of the law. Tho
Union cannot 10 dissolved by vocileration or
proclamation. The only practical mode Of dis
solving the Union is TINT which contemplates,
either the seizure Of The government property
aud buildings at Washington, or concerted
violation Of tho laws Of the United States, by
the South. The election Of 4 Southern Con-
gross and Southern President would count
for nothing until they should attempt one or
the other Of these acts Of outlawry.
We will not discuss the former Of these pos
sible schemes. Any attempt by whomsoever
act in motion, 10 plunder tho treasury and
archives Of tho country, would be so per
emptorily suppressed and punished bv the
frccmcu Of the North, that it is not for mo-
ment to be considered Let us see, then, in
what manner dissolution Of the Onion might
Le brought about under tho other system. We
will suppose Republican President elected and
inaugurated. We wi!l suppose that his ap.
pointments fer the Custom Houses Post
Ot3ces Marsllnlships etc. Of the whole couu-
try, South as well rs North, havo been regu-
1arly made. We will trust to the weakness
Of human nature any difficulty that may lc
supposed TO exist III tho matter Of finding
gentlemen to take the Offices in the Southern
States. Wo will presume tha: Southern
Convention is called, in which a majority Of
the delegates declare fer dissolution Of the
Union and the erection Of q new confederacy-
The first act, a:icr tie organization Of the new
government, would naturally he to select Off
Gers to collect The revenue and to supplant Gil
the appointces Of tho government at Wash
ington. We will suppose that sufficient mol
power could DO raised to take the custom
houses and post Offices away from the rlghtfu]
1>n ~
the beard? The President Of the Ubitcc
States would first take measures for the co9
lection Of the revenue. He would be require'
by his oath Of ofics 10 send vessels Of war L
every port where the disordcrly proceedings
had taken place, Wit, instructions to cnforc
the laws upon all vessels and cargocs arrivin;
or departins. II the citizens Of Charleston
or Now Orlcaus would not allow tue officer
If the United Satcs to collect the revenue o.
dry land, it would DO doao for the t:mo beln
on the water The result wcuid lie the sam
to the Government, but it would he vastly dit
astrous to the merchants Of Charleston IN
New Orleans, in putting a practical cmbarg
on trade, and the delctcr GUS effects would b
Immediately felt by all classes Of people. :
rocket rebellion would he created ut ont
against the usurpms government at home, il
asmuch as the nsurpers could be overthrow
il a moment, willie tho legitimate authorities
the larbor could not be reached by any power
command So t5o Of tho Eos: Offices. lftE
people Of any Southern city or town so'
mob the Postmaster and seize the mails, Il
Presiden: would simply discontinue the ofti'
and leave the turbulent gentry to get on witt
out their letters. Perhaps nothing would prov
q more dshcartenins wet-hlankct tlian tlli
The starving process, if not very rapid In j
workings, is Nnoonlmonly sure. The disunie
government could not last SIX months und
tue quiet siege which would he drawn arou1
it. 1t would die without tile firing Of q she
and tho people CT the seeding States wou
themselves anticipate the President in liangil
thr traitors