Daily national Democrat., 1861-02-15

so on account Of some latent defect-some see
cl ct and abstract technicality, not before OBJ
seryable, but now potent to destroy. The
movement of portion of the people of South
Carolina and the discontented and ambitious
of few other Of the cotton States, to secede
from the Union and destroy if they can, this
confederacy, is revolution-is blow at the
Constitution-an ineXcusahle attempt to de-
stroy the republic-the leaders and plotters
of the movement, not having the boldness or
courage to announce it as such No com
plant is or can be made that the Constitution
has been violated; no charge that the laws of
Congress have intringed upon the rights of
the people; hence no cause or justification
for revolution.
Here, there is piece cut out of the copy
before us "a report in the Union) and We
have no means of supplying the OMISSION
ED
Mr.. IrWin-As laws are enforced by the
power of the Government The first insur-
rection or attempt to resist the execution of
the laws after the adoption of our Constim-
ton, was the "Whisky Insurrection" in the
State Of Pennsylvania, which was promptly
quelled by force under the immediate com
mand of General Washington. His proca-
nation, issued before he called troops into
the field, places him in his own true and
great position as defender Of the Constitution
and should have furnished an example to our
present Chief Magistrate 1t reads as fol-
lows:
Here Mr.. Irwin read the proclamation of
General Washington concerning the Whisky
Insurrection, found in Sparks Life of Wash
ington, vol -, page l29; which set forth
that it was his duty, under the Constitution,
"to take care that the laws be faithfully ex-
ecuted;" that the overtures for forgiveness,
with no other condition than a submission to
law, having been only partially accepted, the
militia summoned into service from the States
of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland and
Virginia had assembled and were already in
motion toward the place OF disatfection-in-
vted the insurgents to rcturn to submission
to the law, and warned all persons against
aiding and abetting them
MESSAGE FROM THE ASSEMBLY,.
The Chief Clerk of the Assembly reported
that the Assembly had passed Assembly blll
No. G2-An Act to authorize and empower
A. W. Mcpherson and others to construct
aud maintain booms upon certain rivers in
the county Of Mendocino; which, on motion
of Mr. De Long, was read twice and referred
TO the Senator from Sonoma.
Mr.. Irwin rcsumed-lhe subsequent his
tory is familiar to all and need not refer TO
it, except to say that it demonstrates, that in
our infancy We had the power TO suppress
what was then called nsurrection, but
which, by some hocus pocus, i, now digniied
with the name of "secesson." Again, when
during General Jacksons administration
South Carolina attempted nuliiication-not
secession, for their great leader, Calhoun,
never entertained the idea that such a right
existed under our Constitutiun-the move
ment was promptly met by the old hero and
Statesman, and peace was restored. During
the difficulties in Kansas, when the EXecu-
tive was in the keeping of those who now
inslnely attempt to defy the people and the
Government, resistance to the law was
threatened; then the army of the United
States was ordered to enforce it. Also, du-
ring the troubles in Utah, when the Nor
mons attempted TO seccdc, rset up iorthcn.-
selves an army of three thousand men was
sent out for the express purpose OF ''coer
ciug,' not the State Of Utah, nor the Territo-
ry Of Utah, but to compel obedience to the
law. Examples numerous might he cited to
show the power Of the Government to pro-
tcct and preserve itself, but deem it useless.
The power to repcll all foreign invaders of
it is claimed hy secessiouists we have no
power to rcpcl domestic enemies. This Gov
crument is living and existing fact, and has
the power and must exercise it to protect it.
self, as well against domestic as foreign enc
mics. 1t is matter not to be considered,
how our system of Government is to he de-
s'royed, whether 10y foreign or domestic foes
If such Il fate awaits it, 1t is our duty to
protect it against both as long as we can;
and if we fail, We will have the sublime con-
ISOLATION Of knowing that all our eXertiors
have been used to save it While / regret and
deplore that any cause, hucied or real, Of
disrfeciion with our institutions should eX
i't, would regret still more, and despair of
the safety of the Rcpublic, if | did not be.
ieve firmly in the loyalty Of the people to
their Government and their perfect willing
ness to undo whatever has been wrongiully
done. The visest provision Of our Constitu
tion is that one which every fourth year
gives the people fall and complete power to
change the administration Of our public ai-
fairs 1t Is, therefore, in our power to re-
dress all grievances 10y peaceobe revolutions
at the hallot-boX. Unjust, or, at least often
sive legislation, if such exist ON the record of
some of the Northern States, should be, and
am confident will be, repealed. ! cannot,
raid of a portion of the people of South Car
olina as a very serious affair, when | know
the fact that her whole popuhtion does not
constitute more than one hundredth part Of
our people, and the further and additional
fact, that no people ever revoutonized or
destroyed good Government without some
great or powerful moving cause No such
cause exists in our own affairs The causes
of complaint set up in justification of the ra
id Of the people Of South Carolina against the
Government will, in my opinion, all be REM
cdiel and queted, if the plan and principles
contained in the resolutions, now under de-
bate are carried out. No attempt, am sat
ished, will be made by the Government, for
such Is not necessary, to send armed men in
to South Carolina to coerce obedience to the
laws; yet the revenues of the Government
must and can he collected, and will be, with
out shedding a drop Of blood. Let, then,
South Carolina and Florida enjoy the glory
Of capturing stone walls, arms and arsenals,
which were not protected or manned; let
them do without mail facilities, and refuse
the aid of our Courts for the protection of the
property of their citizens; let time bring
with i, reflection and cool Judgment; let the
people feel the great evils brought on them
10y ambitious and designing men, and they
will soon pass Judgment on them and their
insane follies. Then. all will be well again
| have, sir no fears for the future of this re-
public The love of our institutions, the
memories and history Of our war for indie
pcndenee, are all too deeply seated and root
ed in the hearts Of our people for them to
suffer this republic to decay, or fall to pieces
without great causes operating, none OF which
now exists.