Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1861-06-15

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nsaiader Of my days. The flag whose
glories have witnessed, shall never be
forsaken by me while can strike a
blow for it's defense. While I have
breath, I shall be ready to serve the
Government Of the United States, aud
be it's faithful, loyal soldier.
Without condemning, or in any de-
gree criticising the. course other per-
sons have deemed proper to pursue in
the present juncture, my line of duty
is plain to my own heart and judgment:
The course of events that have led to
the deplorable condition in which our
country now stands, has been watched
by me with painful interest. Perceiving
that many Of my fellow-citizcns in the
Southern States were discontented with
the Government, and desired some
change to protect them from existing
evils, my feelings have been strongly
averse to coercion, and anxious tor some
compromise or arrangement that would
restore peace and harmony. The pro-
visions of the Federal Constitution at-
forded, in my judgment, ample means
of redress through Convention of all
the States, which might adopt amend
mcnts that would reconcile all differ
cnces, or if that could not be accom-
plished, might provide for peaceful sep
aration in a manner becoming friends
and brethren. So long as this hope of
peaceful settlement of our troubles
could be indulged, have felt it to be
the wise duty Of the General Govern
ment to bear with patience outrages
that no other Government could have
endured, and to forbear any execution
of force until the last hope departed.
But when the Confederate States,
with 1000 men, under cover of strong
fortifications or imprcgnable batteries,
assailed starving garrison of 70 men
in Sumter, compelled the banner of the
United States to be lowered, and boast
cd of its dishonor before the world, the
state of the question was Immediately
changed. Instead Of tho Government
cocrcing States demanding redress of
grievances by constitutional means, the
case was presented Of rcvolutionists
waging war against their Government,
seeking it, overthrow BY force of arms,
assailing public property by ovcrwhclm-
ing force, laboring to destroy the lives Of
gallant officers and soldiers, and dis
honoring the national flag. The cues
ton now before us is, whether the Gov
crnment of the United States, with its
many blessings and past glorios, shall
be overthrown by the military Dictator
ship lately planted and now bearing
sway in the Confederate States! My
hand cannot aid in that work.
Finding ourselves in state of civil
war, actually existing or fast approach.
ing, some Of my brethren in arms, citi-
zens of seeding States, and for whom
1 have the highest personal respect,
have considered it tl:cir duty to throw
up their commissions and follow their
States. In that view of duty cannot
concur. As an officer Of the army aud
citizen of the United States, Iconsidcr
my primary allegiance to be due to the
Federal Government, and subordinate
to that is my allegiance to the State.
This, as you are aware, has been the
concuring opinion of the most eminent
iurists of the country. 1t was the judg-
ment of the Court Of Appeals OF South
Carolina in the case of Hunt, where the
subject was discussed with matchless
ability. In that case, the highest Court
in South Carolina deliberately decided
that the soldiers and citizens primary
duty of allegiance is due to the United
States Government, and not to the
Government Of his State. Of late it
has been contended that the allegiance
due by a citizen to the Federal Govern
ment was dissolved when his State se.
ccdes from the Union. Into that snare
many have fallen. But in my judg-
ment, there is and can be no such right
as Secession of State BY its own act.
The Government of the Union can only
be dissolved by the concurrence of the
States that have entered into tie Fed
eral compact. The doctrine Of Seces-
sion is destructive to all Government,
and leads to universal anarchy.
But supposing States may secede and
destroy the Government whenever the
fancy takes those who are strong enough
to set up an arbitrary power in the
State. Missouri, the State Of my resi-
dence, has not seeded, and secession
would, in my opinion, be her ruin. The
only special interest Of Missouri, in
common with the Confederate States,
il slavery. Her interest in that insti-
tution 10 now protected By the Federal
Consultation. But If Nissouri secedes.
that protection i gone. Surrounded