Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-03-22
UNITED STATES SEsATE-EXTRA SESSION.
WisHIyGroy. March %

Mr.. bale introduced a resolution that the Senate ad-
ourn CINE die on Saturday next. Laid over.
The resolutions of Mr.. Douglas were taken up.
Mr. B4ylrd said since his coming into the Senate no
word had ever been uttered by him TO iement sectional
strife He was deyo ed TO the maintenance of our gov
eminent. The resolution Of the Senator from Illinois
was twofoll calling FIRST for facts, and then for action
upon those facts He anayzed the doctrine Of secession,
and held that il not reserved right, but an act CT
revolution by organized communities. compact could
not be annued except by the consent OF all The parties,
aud therefore the secession Of the Southern States was
an act of revolution. This justification for war II
the renera government chose to resort to it.
The government under tie Constitution had the right
10 compel the fuhllmeut Of the compact but eNparien
had shown that coercion under our system, would not
ausScr Tire Declaration o! Independence was not the
act OF the whole people one community, but OF the
colonies as separate powers. They united only by
a common danger and in the Congress voted az States,
the State OF Delaware casting equal vote With New
York State sovereignty iuy and clearly recognized
In supuort Of these views Mr. B'yard cited copiou5y
from various authorities In the old articles o cohcde-
ration the sovereignty the States was distinctly recog
Med hrt in the constitution afterwards il provided
at that instrument Couo only be changed IN partic
Mar yav and until lhus changed binding on all the
States L. could not THEREFORE be denied that the States
were sovereign when they framed the constitution and
sovereign except TO the extent TO which they had
| .arst.d mower 20 the Federal Government. He did
not believe the coercion of State cOntCmpli
led so long as snc remained in the onion; but II State
vas recognized as cut Of the Union might be wsg
@! against her as against any other foreign power.
In this country the military power was never designed
to be uaed az primary power for the execution OF the
law, hut "a subsidiary the civil power The only CO.
crcon contemplated by the constitution WAS that OF
the megs!acy against the individual citizen. The Sc
ccssou Of tie Southern States wa9 breach OF compact
aud ike the violation Of treaty, might b. Just
for war but only upon that ground could the use Of
arms he justified. This government had now only &c
choose between war and negotiation with the seeded
States
In substance he commended lst that secession wa
not reserved right belonging to State, but was reyo
luton % that coercion Of State by the federal gov
ernment was unconstitutional 81 that the States werC
sovereign but secession violation of the compact
and might be resented by the federal government like
any other violation Of treaty.
In regard to the power of the President to treat witt
the commissioners of the Southern Coniedeacy, he be
eved in IFS existence thought not granted in ex
press terms The right Of the President and Senate &
make treaties was unlimited If By treaty they could &C
Qure territory they might in the same way part with 1t
With the consent Of the States interested. IT, as in thu
case of the treaty With Great Britain they could give vi
territory why not in the case OF the Confederate State
| OF the South
Those States were ready TO treaty had expressed thei
desire leave the Unon why could Lot the federal gor
eminent by treaty assent to that desire! ii war TOOL
place it admitted they could then make treaty
Why could they not make it before? vas the baptism
of blood necessary? He argued at length to show tina
the government had the power to recognize the with
drswal Of the seeded States and to treat with then
without the Intervention Of congressional acton Con
gress had the power make war, bn the treatymakn
| power rested with the President and Senate.
After an executive session the Senate adjourned.