The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1861-04-24
Sound Reasoning.

The eminent Hon. Charles F. Mayer of Baltimore,
about a month since was called upon to give his views
upoa the crisis to the public through the Baltimore
Patriot. This, he did; in manner reasonable and
satisfactory to the SOUTH that many leading journals of
the confederate States have published his letter entire
We make only brief extracts to show his plan. He
boldly takes the ground that the south only protect
her rights and property by separate nationality and
the power of treaty stipulation nation with nation
lie says:
"But what purpose debate of secession? Secession
theoretically and secession eonsummated two differ
ent things In the latter condition are our six sister
States who, impetuousy may think, but with soem-
nifty and high and orderly resolve have coaesced into
confederacy of their own and present the nations
now the front OF separate political community. uthey
arc asked for sanction for this combination they
may drop the theory Of secession and take up the plea
Of revolution, and urge that although the federal power
which has been repudated has inflicted grievance
yet that the right of revolution may rest the mfr
nifty, as well as the tyranny, of government and
that thus they have rid themselves of their ungenia
allies of the north. This is my faith but it is vain
| to criticise it now.
We have to deal with facts-actua and prospect
i've One fact to be dealt with is the systematic organi-
aton OF the States with every feature of permanent
independence and the other fact is that no concatorv
terms can, at this time, win them back to Union and
persuade them to vacate that fabric of tbergovement
To think Of coercng them into fellowship with us
folly in constitutional law much is contradic-
ton in terms of the essential spirit of our Union which
/ is but bond OF trust and sympathy and as much as
practically it outrage for perpetratng which this
broad empire of humanity would furnish no military
power and which is worthy only of the endiSh frenzy
of Greeley and his associate demons, who would dye
the republican supremacy in southern blood This !
maintain at the cost of surrendered fortresses."
'ls it not wise, it is pacific, and but christian to
| acknowledge republican sovereignty which We can
neither overthrow nor gansay? Let the recognition that
thus claim be followed by a commercial treaty with
provisions protecting all our internal trade and relative
and mutual industrial interests; and providing for our
peaceful nse of the waters Of the Mississippi | need
not here point out the importance with reference even
only to import duties of a commercial treaty and for
our railroad connexions with other territories such a
compact is equally urgent.
We should also have treaty of alliance offensive
and defensive, for reciprocal protection against foreign
powers and forbdding all confederation with foreign
governments, without the Joint consent We should
likewise arrange for postal acilities-thc two govern
ments bearing the expense proporonatey to population
gracious adjustment, which would materially aid the
precarious eXchequcr of our southern States Further
more, analogously the extadona provisions in our
treaties with England and other powers, for delivery OF
criminals let there be treaty stipulation between us
for restoring to the south her fugitive slaves"
"a resolution Of congress will compass all that is
now proposed-and but few hours will be needed for
this deyout service at the altar of the Union to crown
with harmony this three months agony of council during
which the public mind has been without a helm for
guidance or light for any practical Judgment out upon
the dark of dread and dependency NAV heaven
grant that We may soon announce to the nations and
speak the consolation to the hearts in other lands turned
for relief this that the experiment of selfgovern-
ment has not failed, but triumphs here in perpetual
bond of power and happiness in Union immortalsed
by the public virtue.