The Oxford intelligencer., 1861-05-15
1875 and 1861.


ages and countries, is essentially the same; and
we may reasonably anticipate, therefore, that
under the same conditions, the people of the
present day will initiate the conduct of those
who lived in other times. In 1776, the British
Colonists of North America took up arms against
the mother country, in open rebellion. 1t has
been the fashion, in fourth of July addresses, to
speak of the oppression of England as having
produced the Revolution. Sensible readers Of
history, however, know that such was not the
fact Practically, the legislation of Parliament
imposed no heavy burthens upon the Colonies
but the real grievance was, that Parliament as
serted constitutional right to govern the Colo
mics according to its own pleasure, and without
their consent 1t was against this pretension-
because, II It we're not resisted, it was seen that
it would leave open wide door to future OPP
pression-that the seven years war of Independ-
ence was wagcd. Now, in 1861, the Northern
people are setting up, as against those of the
South, the same monstrous allegation Of consti-
tutional right, and the latter are preparing to
resist that pretension by an appeal to arms in
liberties, with which they instinctively feel that
such pretenson is wholly incompatible. Eng
land was determined to subjugate the Colonies
because she intended to rule them with an eye
single to her own advantage. The States of the
North, for the same reason, have resolved upon
the subjugation of the South, and the present
fitror of Northern excitement against secession
is but the natural expression OF the rage win
which the hghwayman is possessed when he
realizes that his purposed victim is on the point
of escaping from his grasp with all his treasures
safe. The Colonists of We, as we have already
said, were rebels, who fought with halters around
their necks for, in legal contemplation as Brit
ish subjects, in arms against their sovereign,
they were traitors, and were liable to have been
dealt with as SUCH if they had been unsuccess-
full in their enterprise. The scccssionsts of
1861, on the other hand are proceeding legally
They oppose no law which they are even theo-
retcally under any obligation to observe. Their
States were bound to the others by mere COM
pact based Upon their consent; and, by the
simple withdrawal of that consent, the compact
of Union ceased to exist, and the other States,
as to theirs, became foreign States, with no 9TH
or claims upon them than such as grow out of
their common membership of the great family
of nations. For the attempt of George the
Third to reduce his rebelious Colonists to ODE
dicnce, there was, therefore, at least plausible
pretcxt of justification. For the attempt of the
North to subject the South to its domination,
there is not even the shadow of an apology. It
is throughout, in spirit and in act, an utter, in
defcnsible, unmitgated wrong and robbery, un-
relieved by any single rcdceming or eStenuatng
feature. It is pure, unminglcd brigandism-
The North insolcntly plants itself upon the
same platform with George the Third, and dog
matizcs, and DULLES, and lies, after the sclfsame
pattern set them by the British Ministry and its
minions in l776. Indeed one might be pardon
ed for believing that Mr.. Lincoln and his adhe-
rents sometimes go back to the Ministerial re-
cords of &c for the materials of their diatribes
against the so-called ''rebclS" of 1861. We ask
the attention of our readers to the evident rcla-
tionship existing between the sentiments of the
coercionists of the two epochs, as here exhibited:
1910 1861.
Can yOu after so many IL is more than proba-
and deliberate indignitics ble that, with the dscovc-
offered YOU, treat withry and Illustration of their
them, hut rcvolted, re- designs, the conspirators
bcous subjects, who of the South will soon sue
ought thankfully TO submit for peace No peace will,
10 such conditions as yoH however, be granted, ex-
4 may think proper 10 grc cept on the condition of
them? II is more than unconditional submission
probable that The ring The time for compromises
LEADERS, ~ this mischief are and concessions has gone
but few IN number II thcyby. If il returns it will
can be laid hold of, they be- after tie DisgnieLd
deserve mercy; con- masses who have revolted
vince the lower class OF at the nstigation of dea.
that infatuated people that qogus leaders have laid
the imaginary liberty they down their arms and sig.
eagerly pursuing Is niied their readiness to
not by any means 10 be obey the laws they have
compared to that which trampled under foot and
the Constitution of this swear allegiance to the in
happy country already per- situations they have band
mits them to eijOy.-Ic cd together to overthrow
| SPEECH Of Mr.. Is, in Then, and not till then,
/ Parliament will their representations
lie did not erpcct much be heard, and, if then hare
less irish, that the people Of grierdnces they iH be -
Americd should yield any dressed h tie manner pro-
a6ect scribe Submission. rded for BY tie Consfit,-
Ii was, however, now be- tion they noT repwdiate-
come indispensably neces- With all this ar
sary to the interests nay dor at the North there
to the very existence Of docs not est the least irish
the British empire, tnat 10 SHljttqdfe the S0Wh-
the supremacy of this Leg Our Southern brethren are
islature should be main in state of instruction
tanned and asserted in its against the Government
full extent; and when that and the flag which have
point fully esab protected the whole coun-
lished, he doubted not but try, and made it the nigh
the people Of Ameried ty and prosperous nation
rouid roceiB ereTy salts il is. The people of the
faction and security for North determined 10
any Just grictuHres they bring back the nsurrec-
might hare felt and any tionsts to their senses and
right they may be entitled their allegiance to the flag
70 enjoy British subjects of common country.
Speed of Lord Cardiff, " J. Herald, May g.
IN the House Of Lords. The Secretary of State is
That, though he could Obliged to state to Messrs
not at present treat with Forsyth and Crawford that
the Congress such, yet he has no authority nor is
he very DESTROYS Of he at liberty TO recognize
having a conference with them Diplomatic agents
some of the members, = Pnl H. SelrdrFs Letter
whom he would consider, TO he Southern Commits
for the present, only as sioHers
private gentlemen.-Lord am going to war to
Hoce's message BY Gen give to every body else the
SWlliran, to the Congress. same liberty myself en-
In this arduOus contest joy. We go to secure
can have no other oectpeace equality, union, and
but to promote the true to compel the South to OBJ
interests Of all my sub serve the regulations