The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1860-12-07
Secession: What Shall be Done!

The ultra southern claim of the abstract
right of voluntary and peaceable secession
cannot stand the test of a practical or legal
examination for moment. Looked at from
any point of view, either in the light of the
historical facts attending the adoption of the
constitution, Or the explicit opinions of those
most active in preparing and securing its a.
doption, or tested by the results to which it
might lead, the proposition that a single
state, or any number of states, NAV resume
the powers delegated to the general govern
ment, and quietly withdraw from the United
States. on their OWN motion, and without the
assent of the other states. is wholly untena-
bic, and, outside of the leading cotton and
dlSunlon states, seems to be so generally re-
garded by all parties Did such right ex-
list, the existing general government would
be mere rope of sand, a copartncrship dis
soluble at the will of any member. an unre-
liable, loose. jointed compact not worth the
care and treasure We have been expendins
for eighty years in keeping it together
But suppose South Carolina. as now seems
probable. formally declares herself out of the
Union, and undertakes to reclaim and en-
ploy the absolute sovereignty which she O.
riginally surrendered to the federal govern
ment. How shall her action be met? There
are apparently but two ways Of encounterins
it. First. by the strong hand. The execu-
tive. in the discharge of its plain '.uty, would
enforce the laws of the United States within
the limits of the boiling or revolving state.
at all hazards. causing all. vino resisted the
execution of the law. to be properly dealt
with. This course would, undoubtedly, lead
to painful collisions, but the result of it can
not, in our Judgment, he for moment doubt
full. The seeding state would ultimately
have to yield. and obedience would be secur
ed at the plice OF the modification and intense
hatred of those resisting.
The otter mode of meeting the difficulty
is quite the reverse Of this. Though We
may deny the night of any state to Withdraw
from the Union, without the assent of the.
other states. We cannot doubt that by com
mon consent the union Of the states NAV be
dissolved. This is a popular government,
founded on the popular Will and the same
power which created may change or DESTROY
the government. and substitute any ether in
It's place. Now whenever the great majority
OF the citizens OF any state. from any cause.
have lost all confidence in the integrity and
fair dealing of the general government, have
acquired feelings of intense hostility towards
large proportion of their fellow citizens in
the other states, ard have practically DESTROY
ed all friendly and social intcrcour, with
them, and deliberately withdrawn themselves
so far as they are able. from all connection
with the govcrnment,-and this state of feel
ing and consequent action are attributable to
causes for which the general government or
the cltlZens CT the other states are not fairly
responsible.-th to that extent. the pnr-
pose of the adoption Of the constitution has
failed. and tie | zion had better he dissolved.
better by lar than to attempt To restore har-
mony and confidence as we'll as obedience by
the sword. We say this, while we are not
unconscious of the inspiring associations,
which cluster around the Union as it is, and
to preserve which we would gladly advise
any sacrifice of opinion or purpose consistent
with sense of duty and a proper self-re-
spect.
In the present case, Viz: the threatened
secession of South Carolina, and several sis
ter states, We know Of no assigned cause for
the movement, Cor which Congress is respon-
sible; and SO far as state action as to tupi-
tive slaves Is on,- though such action
vas unwlse, unjust, and assravating,-it is
neither a Justification nor cause of the pre-
sent movement, as it occurred years ago, and
has thus far not been found inconsistent with
their remaining i'll the Union. SO far as the
alleged purposes of the republican party are
the grievance, its real purposes are few and
open, dellberate Y formed under sense of
constitutional right and duty, proclaimed at
Philadelphia four years ago, reiterated at
Chicago, last season, embodying the views
OF the founders of the government, and now
endorsed 10y an overwhelming presidential
victory; and We should oppose the modify
ing or yielding any of those purposes in or
der to bring back any OF these states to re-
cosnitlon of their legal obligations. We
prefer 10 this that, whenever South Carolina,
or any other state, shall have deliberately
Withdrawn from the Uuion in obedience to
the wishes of great majority Of her citizens,
and shall have formally notified the Presi-
dent or Congress of her action, prompt and
unqualified assent be given by Congress to
her proceedings, and that the necessary legal
action be taken to surrender to her the pow
ers she delegated to the general government,
presenting to her all the public property
within her limits, and allowing her to depart
In peace. The first principle of a republican
government is violated, the civilization of
of the age is disgraced, by forcing, through
superior brute power, single state to re-
main in the contederacy against her will
The federal government will not sustain or
justify itself by such course Of violent CO.
erclon.-SprinQteld Republican.