The Oxford intelligencer. (Oxford, Miss.) 1860-18??, 1861-02-06

II 2
Mr.. DAVIS. rise, Mr.. President, for the
purpose Of announcing to the Senate that have
satisfactory evidence that the State Of Mississip
pi BY solemn ordinance Of her people in Con-
vcnton assembled, has declared her separation
from the United States Under these crcum-
stances, OF course my functions are terminated
here It has seemed to me proper, however,
that should appear in the Senate to announce
that fact to my associates, and will say but
very little more. The occasion does not invite
me to go into argument and my physical con-,
dition would not permit me to do so il it were
otherwise; and yet it seems to become me to
say something on the part of the State here
represent on an occasion SO solemn as this
II is known TO Senators who have served with
me here, that'l have for many years advocated,
as an essential attribute Of State sovereignty,
the right OF State TO secede from the Union.
Therefore, if Ihad not believed there were JUST;
fable cause; IL had thought that Mississippi
was acting without sufficient provocation, or
without an existing necessity, should still, I'M
der my theory Of the Government because of
my allegiance to the State of which am citi-
zen, have been bound by her action. I, howey-
er, may be permitted to say that do think she
has justifable c,use, and that approve her act
Iconferred with her people before that act was
taken, and co1nselled them then that If the
state Of things which they apprchended should
exist when the Convention met they should
take the action which they have now adopted
1T 49, hoo. - Al.
expression of mine with the advocacy of the
right Of . State to remain in the Union, and to
disregard its constitutional obligations by the
notification Of tho law. Such is not my the
Dry. Modification and secession, SO often con-
founded, are indeed antagonistic principles
NuliiAcation is remedy which Il is sought to
apply within the Union, and against the agent
Of the States. 1t is only to be justified when
the agent has violated his constitutional obga-
ton, and q State, assuming to judge for itself
denies the right Of the agent thus to act and APP
peals TO the other States of the Union for a de-
cision ;sbut when the States themselves and
when the people Of the States, have so acted as
to convince US that they will not regard our
constitutional rights, then, and then for the first
time arises the doctrine of secession in its prac-
teal application. - 20 9
"A great man who now reposcs with his faith
srs, and who has often been arragned for a
want Of fealty to the Union, advocated the doc
trine Of notification because it preserved the
Union. 1t was because Of his deep-seatcd at
tachment 70 the Union, his determination to end
some remedy for existing ills short of sever
kncs o. theties which bound South Carolina to
fhe other States, that Mr.. Calhoun advocated
the doctrine Of notification, which he proclaimed
% be peaceful; to be within the limits of State
power, not to disturb the Union, but only to be
ameans Of bringing the agent before the tribu.
nal Of the States for their Judgment g.
Secession belongs to different class Of rem
edies 1t is to be justified upon the basis thai
she States are sovereign. There was time
when none denied it / hope the time mag
come again, whena better comprehension Of the
theory of our Government and the inaliensbI,
rights Of the people Of the States, VIII prevent
any one from denying that each State il a sover
seign, and thus may reclaim the grants which q
ihAsAmads 70 any agent whOmsoever. ,-
- therefore say Il concur an the action OF TN
people Of Mississippi, believing It to be necessa
~ and proper, and should have been bound b
,their aciion If my belief had been otherwise
.eod this brings me to the important point whici
-1vi.h, on This last occasion, to present to III
Senate. II Is by this confeunding Of nulli6ea
,.tionsnd secession that the name Of . great man
sawhess.shes now mingle with bis mother earth
has been invoked to Justify coercion against |
lseseded State The phrase, TO execute tn
slsws~ was an expression which Gen jackson
sbplied to the case Of a State refusing to ODE,
sthe lsss while yet member Of the Uuioa.-
That b MT the s-ss which is now presented
ne s<ss are to bs executed over the Uuitet
ststez snd npUn the people Of the Unite'
States. They bare no relation to any foreigr