Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1861-03-28
Thursday Morning. March 2S, 1861.

.----s.-.->--s----.-.-- -
WE have received letter from an esteem
cd spondent, which he has been induced
10 write us, because of an article that APP
peared in the Civilian on the 18th inst, said
article contained portion of a letter on the
crisis, by Geo. Peabody, Esq, the eminent
American Banker OF London. England, and
some editorial remarks which we thought
proper to append.
Our correspondent desires us to answer him
through the columns of the Civilian.
His first inquiry is in reference to the en-
ployment OF coercion upon the part Of the
general government in the policy it shall per-
sue toward the seeding States, and he wishes
to know, if at any time, we would have all
viscd the adoption of such policy. In the
very article upon which he comments will be
found this sentence. "Wc have always been,
and are still Jackson man on this subject"
Our correspondent certainly is not ignorant
Of what was Jackson's policy. 1t led many
men to forsake hin-induced some warm
friends to abandon him, yet he adhered to his
policy--crushed rebellion and perpetuatcd
the Union-his policy was coercion. We
may remark, however, that this word in the
present has been given great latitude Of mean
ing-t is made to apply to the collection of
the revenue in the seeding States-the rein
forccmcnt Of the United States lorts-thc
transportation ofarms and munitions of war
In certain directions, &c., &C., when, there
fore, we say we would have advised coercion,
we do not mean, as we have expressly and
omphatically declared in the number Of the
Civilian in which our correspondent finds the
article upon which he comments, that we
would have advised sending an armed force
to South Carolina to lay waste her fields and
burn her villages, but we would have fully
manned the forts and blockadcd the harbor,
If necessary, and we think these measures, if
they had been adopted in time, would have
cllectually stopped the secession fever and
have saved US the painful and humia,ing
position we now occupy in the eyes of the
world. We are satisfied that the early Pres
idents of the Republic would not have hcsi-
tated to employ coercive measures to put
down rebellion and to perpetuate the govern
ment, certainly that man who was first in
war, first in peace and first in the hearts of
his countrymen" would not. Do not the
following extracts from letters given by his
biographer, Washington Irving, show us that
no would, have maintained the Union by CO.
ercion, If necessary:
An indssolublo Union Of the States under
one Federal head and perfect acquiesccnsCe
of the several States, in the full exercise of
the prerGgative vested in such head by the
Constitution.- q Liborty is
the basis, and whoever would sap the foun-
dation, or overturn tho structure, under what
ever srecious pretext he may attempt 1t, will
merit the bitterest exeCratlon and the seve-
- rest punishment which can DO inflicted by
his injured country.
we have errors to correct. We have pro-
badly had too good an opinion OF human ma
turc in forming our Confederation. Expe-
renee has taught us that men will not adopt
and carry into execution measures the best
calculated for their own good, without the
Intervention of coercive power. | do not
conceive we can exist long as nation, with
out lodging, somewhere, a power which will
pervade the whole Union in as energetic
manner rs tho authority OF the State Gov
eminent extends over the several States. To
DO fearful Of investing Congress. Constituted
as that body is, with ample authorities for
national purposes, appears to me tho very
climax of popular absurdity and madness.
LET the rons of Government then, be
braced and held with steady hand, and cv-
cry violation of tho Constitution be repre-
heGded. If defective. let it be amended; but
not suffered to be trampled upon whilst it
has an existence.
what stronger evidence can be given of
the want of energy in our government than
these disorders? If there is not power
enough in it to check them, what security
has man for life, liberty or property The
consequences of lax or inefficient Govern
ment are too obvious to be dwelt upon
Thirteen Soveregnties pulling against each
other: and all Juggling at the Federal head
will soon bring ruin on the whole
Our correspondent also desires to know If
We deny the right of a state to secede from
the unon-that is do we as ho expresses it, |
deny the 'inalionable right If our cores
pendent means by 'inalenable right to Sc
cede' the right to revolution, wo answer I'M
hesitatingly-no; but we are equally salts
fed that it is not only the right but the
bounden duty Of a government to put down |
such revolution. Rebellion against tyran-
nical and oppressive government invariable |
mi Ip by 4 tIn lnt
the rebellion Of our Sister Southern States,
has astonished the world, inasmuch as there
exists no cause for such rebellion.
Our correspondent processes to be a Union
Its connection with the general government
when it suits is purposes, lis opposed to CO.
ercion and seems to think that we were I'M
duly severe when we announced that we
thought those who held such sentiments as
our correspondent avows, wore disunionists at
heart or were deficient in nerve
We are satisfied. that rs q general rule the
principle we have asserted is true, but to
which we are happy to believe there are some
honorable exceptions, and among them we are
pleased to class our esteemed correspondent
To our mind it seems utterly incompre-
hensible that man should be unionist in
favor of perpctuation Of the government,
and an anti-cocrcionist,-t two thing, are
80 utterly incompatible that we arc at loss
to comprehend how they can unite in the
same person. Why look at it, the States
that have seeded are accommodating NUM-
tons of war in large quantites-thcy arc
er,listing men for years of scrvicc,-they
al.