The national Republican., 1860-11-30
sECESSIoN-THE ENFORCEMENT OF
.re. ... THE LAWS.


The probability is that South Carolina will
in short time solemnly declare herself out of
the Union. What will then be her real status
In our opinion, she will simply be in a state of
open rebellion, If she atte. pts to carry her re.
solves into practical effect. If she shall as.
sumo to have seeded from the Union, she
must necessarily repudiate and set at naught
all Federal laws and Federal authority within
her limits. What will be the duty of the Fed.
eral Executive in that event? Clearly, we think,
to see that the Federal laws are executed, as
well in the Jurisdiction of South Carolina as
anywhere else and to that end to use force,
If necessary.
The President has unquestionable power to
march an army into South Carolina, to put
down forcble resistance to the execution of
the Federal laws. 1t does not necessarily fol.
low, however, that he is bound to use this
power in every case Of resistance. We sup.
pose he is at liberty to exercise sound discre-
ton in the use Of this power, and to resort to
force only when, in his judgment, that will be
the most effectual means Of curing the evil
which may, for time being, exist.
If South Carolina, having declared herself
out of the Union, should attempt to set at
naught the United States mail arrangements,
or nulify the United States courts, within her
limits, it strikes us that the President nigh,
exercise discretion in reference to attempting
to force these facilities and benefits upon her
people. Certain it is, that if all citizens Of
that State should refuse to act as postmasters
or as judges, clerks, and marshals of the
courts, the President could not compel them
to accept such offices.
But if South Carolina shall assume to go out o.
the Union, and set up an independent Govern
ment, she must do more than repudiate the Uni
ted States post Office establishment and courts
within her jurisdiction. She must set at naught
the United States revenue and navigation laws
and throw open her ports to all vessels to come
and go, subject only to such restrictions and regu
lations as she may see fit to impose. Here is
a point, it strikes US, at which conflict with
the Federal power would become inevitable
The duties imposed upon foreign merchandise
imported into Charleston are not imposed for
the benefit of the people of South Carolina alone,
and the people of all the States are equally inter
ested in their collection. 1t strikes us, therefore,
that in case of an attempt on the part of South
Carolina to set at naught the revenue and
navigation laws of the United States the Presi-
dent would have no discretion in the matter,
but would be in duty bound to act promptly for
their enforcement. This, fortunately, he could
do effectually, without setting hostile foot
upon the soil Of South Carolina. 1t would only
be necessary to send round sufficient naval
force to blockade her single port of Charles.
ton, and prevent any vessel from entering her
harbor without first paying all duties imposed
by the laws of the United States upon her car
go, oI departing therefrom without clearance
from the United States custom.h house.
Whatever may be the ability of South Caro-
lima to resist any military force that may in
wade her territory, surely she has no naraL force
competent to break blockade by the United
States navy.
How long could South Carolina afford to hold
out in state of rebellion, with all foreign com
merce cut off? Six months, even, would prove
ruinous to her. Without pretending to know
what course either the present or the incoming
Administration will attempt to pursue, in case
South Carolina shall assume to secede from the
Union, it strikes us that her resistance Of the
United States revenue and navigation laws will
present the only point at which it may become
mperatively necessary to meet her with actual
force.