The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1861-01-10
Aiexarder Hamilten AaaIn.. coercion.

Alexander Hami1ten Against Coercion
Hon. CHAs. JARVIS, of Ellsworth, MAINE,
one Of those clear headed and noble hearted
Northern gentlemen who stiii stand oy the
Constt ton, both In It's spirit and In us letter
has published an address showing In the must
conclusive manner the utter unconstitution-
ality of coercion. Judge JARVIS Justly OBJ
serve. that, the idea Of civil war to mainta tail
the unity of the confederation. can be enter
tanned only by those who, alike deficient in
heart and mind, have read but little and
thought still less. The maintenance of a
Union of coequal States by force is simply an
absurdiiy. Whenever there is a resort to force,
the dissolution OF the confederacy must be he
inevitable consequence. This is no novel idea
originating from the present condition OF the
country; for when the proposition was made
IN the Convention Of 1877, that the power o.
coercing State should be vested in Congress,
1t was ably opposed by HAMILTON and MApi-
SON, and rejected as Incompatible Win inc
genius of Federal Republican Government
When the subject of coercion OF a STATE
was under discussion in the New YORK Con-
vention for the adoption Of the Federal Con-
stitution, Gen. HAMILTON said:
at has been well observed, that to coerce the
States is one of the naddest projects that was ever
consned to a single State. This being the case,
can we suppose ie wise u hazard a civil war: :
Su npose Massachusetts, or any large state 'shouiu
rsfnse and Congress should attempt TO compel
them YOU Id not they have iIfaenee 10 procure as
sstanoe espec aiy ron on ,bemseives What PIC
tu re does this lea present To our view con
ing State at war wa ao6ns Of nne State into
the bosom of another; this State cole cung
s9s s aesd ssIs is nason at
wtr with itself. Can any reasonable man be well
disposed towar1s a government whlcn maAes III
and carnage the ONLY mr ans OF supportink Hsell;
Government that can exist only by the su ord -
rvery such war must involve the innoeent, WIN
sufhcIent to dispose every peaceaole CIT zen
AGAINST such Government. In ths first forma
ten Of Government. by the association Of ind
vIduais, every power Of the O. immunity is dele
gated, fecauss the Government is extend to
every 20 sibe object; nothlns is reserved tut the
Der of these cIetIes unite certain PURPOSES,
The rnle is iiteIent ard i9r the Plaln.ss eason;
their powers to their several governments, ami
these cannot be recslled and gwen to another
W tboIt an express act"
Here is the language of Gan. HAMILTON,
The great founder of the Federal party, and,
next to WASHINGTON, the greatest sta esman
aud soldier of the American Revolution.
Judge JARVIS next proceeds to show that
New York, in her ratification of the Federal
Constitution, July 26th, I7SS, asserted tba
All power Is originally FeSt ed III, anu COnSe-
quently derived from, The people, and that gov
eminent IS instituted by them for their COM
mon in terest, protection and security that
the enjoyment of life, lib rty and the pursuit
of happiness are essential rights, which every
Government ought to respect and preserve
that the powers of Government may be reas.
sumed by the people whenever it shall become
necessary TO theiI happiness" Similar state
mants We're made by Virginia and Rhode
Island in their respective Publications.
How, them exoaims Judge Jarvis in oppo-
si'I,n TO the fundamental principles proclaimed
IN the Deca alton of hide pend nco-to the
avnwed sentiments of Hamilton and Madison
two oi tn e m 81 dI. tlngrlshed men of our coun-
try. who participated larseiv In the form at on vi
the Constitution. and ably advocated its adoption
III The EIDE iaIst. lofg recognize q as text book
c n any be f uud to have the ehfOntety tn assert
that the of one OF the I"dependeot States
of the Union is a constitutional risht: on
Juds ment thou art II ed IL british casts ard me-
ma e lost their reasonn l ne assertion can pe
made ,nlv IN gross ignorance of tie nsture ard
powers Of Federal Government, orlp utter con
tempt of the inteiiis nee of the peopie-charac-
teris'lcs of the wiling politicians OF the day -,
TruiE are theJ false prophets, or bind leaders OF
the blind ~