The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1861-05-25
Coercion and War.
WHAT ARE THEY 4

WHAT ARE THEY
Why will people laying claim to common
sense continue 10 pirate about the Efforts of
the Federal Government to suppress the Rebel
lion now raging in some of the States being
war upon the South BY the North With
the same propricly they might tell US the
enforcement by the Executive of any act Of
Congress in Southern State. or the arrest
and punishment Of any felon, under the
United States laws, in Southern State. was
war upon the South by the Nrth. The
cases are analogous, and il is astonishing
men cannot see that such twaGlle is rank
nonsense. No one can ,ruthfully assert that
the seccd,d States have been oppressed or in
any way injured by the Frdrra! Government
So far as it is concerned Pennsylvania and
Virginia are required to conform to the same
laws. and South Carolina and Massachusetts
are peers. Whatever affects one OF the United
States affects all Of them. They all have a
voice in the direction of National affairs. -
They are all equally protected from foreign
and domestic enemies. No State is required
to submit to any law that is not equally
binding upon each and every State of the
Union. If any member Of the ConGderacy
IS in any way injured or oppressed the remedy
is plain and simple. When our fathers
established system Of government they
were careful to guard against anything whose
arbitrament would compel us to resort to
arms, and under the Constitution there is a
cure for every wrong. redress for every
grievance. They were wise and patriotic
men and performed their difficult task in q
Statesmanlike manner. The government
which they framed for US with so much care
and toll has been to us a good and lcnent
government. 1t has secured to every man
his just and equal rights, and has given to
every citizen opportunities Of honor, fortune
and advancement. We have enjoyed under
it all the freedom and happiness nation
could desire, and have attained degree O.,
prosperity unparalleled in the annals of the
world. 1t has oppressed no section. 1t has
made war upon no section. Bat whenever
and wherever an attempt has been made to
obstruct or overthrow the Government it has
indicated its authority. 1t is this day doing
nothing more.
a few designing and INSCRIPTIONS dema-
gosucs having resolved to overthrow and
destroy it, are resisting the administration of
its laws with force and arms. And for
endeavoring to assert its rightful authority
and suppress the unholy rebellion the Govern.
ment is charged with making war upon, and
attempting TO coerce a portion Of the nation
AS well might the proper authorities be
charged with making war upon, and attempt.
ing to coerce gang Of rioters they were
endcavoring to Subduc. As we'll might the
sheriff or constable when in pursuit of a
criminal who had violated the law, he cha, gcd
with making war upon, and endeavoring to
coerce him. The doctrine is monstrous and
absurd. 1t is pes.ient political heresy,
productive only OF anarchy and Loodshed
and if allowed to obtain will destroy all
popular government and be the death blow
10 constitutional liberty throughout the
world. The Federal Union must be preserved
intact at any expense of blood and treasure
and if the efforts Of the millions of loya
hearts that are struggling, and will continue
to struggle, for its preservation are to b.
termed Coercion and War; so be it, Let us
meet the issue like men, and when this
unnatural Rebellion is crushed out, We will
have doEe forever with the sickcning slang
about Coercion and War. Things will thcr
be called by their right names.