Smyrna times., 1861-05-16
False Issues.

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purpose of certain States to seeede from other
States in their connection with tue great
American Union, the question of the right of
secession even by means of revolution is uu-
decided. II is indeed upon the undecided oues-
uon Of right that the war has been inaugurated.
The seeding States have determined the is.
sue BY their revolutions, and prepared to sus.
tain their acts by the raising of armed forces.
and placing themselves in the attitude of de-
feuee. These acts have been performed while
the General Government has denied the right
ofsecesson to any of the States and in opposi-
tIOn TO theit will and purpose, determined to
retain its position of authority and enforce the
laws 10 accordance with the federated relations
as agreed upon by all the States, and set forth
in the Constitution of the United States.
10 denying the right of secession the FEEDER.
al Government has placed the seeding States
10 position of rebellion and revolution, and
the Issues arising from this position, m ay be of
most disastrous consequences if pushed to the
extreme in sanguinary conflict. 1t is upon
this question of right that the difficulty rests.
and the most surprising circumstance connect.
cd with The whole affair is that civil war aud
It's ruinOus results should be preferred to
Peaeeable aud reasonable adjustment. Ii is
this circumstance that startles the civilized
world and causes the nations of Europe to stand
back abashed, and fear that the institutions of
civilization and enlightenment are SO imperfect
as to render insecure the protection of govern
ment and the happiness secured TO mankind
through lie agency.
In Precipitating. thoughtlessly, this unfortu.
nate condHlon.the Baltimore Patriot Justly sa VS.
Hs authors, and aiders md abettors will have
a fearful account to give to those who are low
al to the Union, to the Federal Government
and TO their own consciencss in thus attempt
Tag to secure the position they have sought
There was rational and reasonable method of
recovering the rights of which they complained
that they were dIspossessed, and the probabiIi.
tes are that they would have been successful,
a. the several efforts that were made for com
promise were lost by small maiorities in both
Houses Of Congress, when the reverse would
have been the case, had the members from
all OF the original seeding States retained
their seats and voted, as they had the right to
oo' The sentiment of an eminent Virginiau
upon this point was the true one, and there is
every probability that it would have been suc
essiui' 1t properly pursued. He declared it to
Se MS purpose TO fight the battle ofState rights
!" 'as Union, and to maintain the integrity of
'he federal relations of the Government to the
asI The gentleman, with others, Joined the
secession ranks afterwards, because he and
'ney believed the subsequent acts of the new
administration were improper and oppressive.
IL Is strange that, as intelligent and distin-
gulshed Statesmen, these geAIemen did aot
consider that what they regarded as the wrongs
Of The administration could not make their act
ofseeession right. The dismembsrment efthe
FEDERAL Union could not secure right of
which a small minority of the States COMPLAIN
ed that they were disfranchised. That was
'he PerPetration of a wrong in order to redress
hing as false in lgoic as it is in fact. and as
eusns've to PrOPrie'y as it is to law, for it is
impossible that in either two wrongs could pro-
dsee a right.
The battle, ss it was termed, could have
0een fought in the Union as we'll as out OF it,
eao the contest would have become the civil.
ization OF the age much better than the BLOODY
ISSUES that appear TO threaten the deed of Sc
eesslon' aud the conflicts that have succeeded
~ relation to the property of the Federal Gov.
s'nment So naturally does one excess beget
@ao'her' that the mere demand for redress
eve" IN the case of al imaginary oppression
may De Inhsmed into a sanguinary conflict
0Seh ls frequently the result of indivdual mis-
UnOer''andings. which, from a mere poin, o
e"qoeite, ripen into the fierce and deadly en-
counter In which the passion Of revenge il
more prominent than the desire for satisfaction
The most humiliating issue of the crisi
arises out Of the fact that a disDute be,wee,
dinerent parties of the same government. VIII
may De regarded as brothers of the same grea
family cannot be settled without a resort /,
measures which are reyengeful and ruioou,
aud can be productive of no benefit wbatev.
TO either side, but in any event must resul, ;
disaster. Civilization has wrought its way
success 10 vsia. and religion has labored fc
aaught' II a disagreement among a nation
enlightened and religions freemen must be Sc
,soey secession. The world of the futur
sasa y sises In judgment upon the deed, wi
'"a'e it's character with the barbarous rt
o. The past, and write 10 unmista kabl
mes The condemnation Of the agency throug
which ], was effected.
rheac' Of the Monlgomery Congress legal