New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1861-05-18
TEE NEW 7oRK OBSERVER.

written by gentleman of this city to the editors
of the New York Observer, paper that for many
years be has subscribed 10, and which has hereto
fore been in bis family circle a welcome and fa-
Iniliar friend:
Editors of the Ne1g Y0rlb Obse-Ger-I notice
with profound sorrow that you have changed the
political tone Of your paper, and from having been
eminently conservative toward yonr Southern
brethren, ycu have become as trucaient and un-
| compromising as the most Thoroughbred Abolf-
ZIONIST could desire. only wonder that you have
not called for fire from heaven to consume US, so
perfectly do you seem to have forgotten what man
ner of spirit as followers Of the Prince of Peace
/ ye should be Of.
1t is true, that your attack is made upon us under
| the semblance of an exalted patriotism, and the
| changes are rung by you most magniicsnty, upon
! the necessity of raliying to the support of the
| Union, the Constitution and the laws.
| suppose / must give you credit for sincerity,
and that you really mean what you say, for it
| would be to the last degree indecorous in me TO
presume that you had resorted to the clap-traps
OF the politicians, who are usually found bounding
on the masses, by words OF mere sound and fury
signfying nothing.
/ may, therefore, humbly ask what you do mean,
| when, under existing circumstances, you call for
the people to rally TO the support of the Union,
the Constitution and the Laws.
Il II | have read Alright the history OF the events
which led to the formation of the Union it seems
to me that it sprung from pressing necessity,
which was found to exist after the independence
mao become an accomplished idCLs
For several years after that event. the States en-
deavored to manage, not only their internal policy,
but also to regulate their commerce with each
other, and with foreign nations, as separate and
independent powers but in this latter respect the
system was found to work 80 nconveniently, and
especially with reference TO their foreign relations,
was so discordant, that it became absolutely me-
cessary to devise some plan by which these incon-
venenees might be remedied and the whole body
| of the people united under common head.
Hence the Constitution of 1887.
Now what desire to ask is this, was the Union
Of these separate sovereignties voluntary or an
involuntary act? Your reply must undoubtedly be,
it was voluntary.
If, then, the adoption of the Constitution was o
voluntary act, did any State thereby bind Itself
d never, under any circumstances, to resume Its
f independence under the penalty Of being com,
PEELED to remain by the power of a Government
l. composed Of the rest of the States? In othel
= words, suppose the trainers of the Constitution
had inserted an article, making provision agains
secesson or, if you please. in distinct terms deny
ing that right. How many Of the States do yot
suppose would have adopted it, Unquestlonably
none; for am sure thatif such an amendment 7
:, the Constitution were now formally proposed, eve
~ the most jealous of those States which insist O
= npholdiDg the Union would reject it-althoug
: their present action would certainly lead us
believe differently.
But, in answer to all this, you may reply, thi
}, although such provision exists in the Constllt
IS ton, vet it must be presumed, or otherwise tn
% Government could have no stability.
While deny the right SO to interpret the Cor
IL stituton agree perfectly with you, that withot
1t the hearty and cordial affections OF the people, tn
Government would have no stability.
10 Deprived of these, the form of Government
q the United States is essentially and ntrlnslcall
weak. This fact was patent to It's tounders-th
farewell address of Washington, in which he e.
horts the people to cultivate harmony OF sentlmel
lp with each other, and to avoid sectional strl
"a derives all its significance from this fact And y6
are certainly aware that it has been continn
reproach uttered by all foreigners that our Unle
d I;nEt o. tIffn SFN li
integrate, and cause our whole national fabric
e, fall to pieces, upon the mere caprice or Whim
be the people,
or was strong in the affections of the people, It "
he perhaps the most powerful in the world. thl
It's history, from the beginning to the present I
happy period will abundantiy illustrate that 81
or | is the case.
zen In point of fact the Constitution is silent uI
lis the subject of secessioR-not because it '
~, thought to be an impossible occurrence, but
- cause its trainers knew that 1t was hardiy Wo
while to legislate for the body when its spirit
But whether you agree with me or not in relat
hat to the powers conferred upon the General GoVe
but ment by the States in their sovereign capacity
thing is certain and that is that all the states r
the Potomac to where the Rocky Mountains poi
tho the far West, and from the Chic to the Gulf
ay Mexico, have assumed, or are about to assume,
- right to withdraw from the Union, and now stf
on dofantly before the North, not for the purpose
aggression, but simply in defence of what they
ers slider their inalenabe rights.
~ If the fall of Sumter had as you say, the erect
uniting the North as one in support of
Union, the proclamation of your President Llnco
|, OF calling for troops to put down what, III MS US
en- facetiOus yen he is pleased to call lnsurrectl
has had equally the effect of uniting the South
one man, in firm determination to resist his
ties thority.
+ If the North arrogates to herself the right to
force obedience, the South recognizes no 81
right and will resist to the bitter end every atter
at its exercise. Never again Wilt recognize a
Ina glance to your Union, your Constitution and y
no Laws. When such an event occurs, 1t Will be WI
every true Southern heart has ceased to beat,
10 our hills and valleys trodden by the foot of
stranger. And now, under such circumstanc
what do you propose to do?
sla- If you mean simply 70 uphold the Union wit
ate your own territory, | am sure no one from
ent South will interfere you may shout" "uphoid
Union, the Constitution and the Laws'' to y
hearts content, without the slightest molestati
and it may do you good at any rate it will pl
n ger you all right before the immaculate patriots of
was D. e ~ tba othor hand Won nronose to fc
ave the people of the South to do the same thing
invading their soil, and sending havoc and des
ton through all their borders, that is quite ano
ate affair, and may meet with some res stance. N
would it not be better, great deal BETTER to
back upon the sentiment expressed by you 81
t,uo time since in which you advised peaceful sep
oai ton, quoting the beautiful language OF Abraham
Son Lot, " Separate thyself, pray thee, from
Aen. Ar. if thou wilt take the left hand, then will
10 tne flpnI, OF II llOu
aroi trUt ! will go to the left"
elai But am afraid that this sudden eutbnrst of al
| ton for the Union, the Constitution and the La
on tho part of the North, has deeper meal
veu than appears upon the surface.
tner "This question of the right of secession,''
the the wealthy men of the North, must be put at
forever, and so say you.
All of which being interpreted means, "
lour must have stronger government; onr proper
too insecure under this Democracy;' and
the people, under the specious cry of sup
4 the Union, are to be used for the purpose
l,;nn placing all the power of the government in
rInS nS hands of an irresponsible oligarchy.
'n0i The wealthy classes only are to enjoy all
honors and privileges of ofice-the poorer |
this be content with the crumbs which fall from
ches tables.
And thus the old battle of Federalism and d.
cracv, so galantly won by the Democracy II
que contest between Jefferson and the elder Adam
to be fought over again, with all its elemen
bitterness to the last degree intensified.
more The South is on the side Of the Democracy
m, a II. the rights of the people.
iii ar The North is the side of Federalism,
lately eged class, standing army, and strong go
mG , se' ment.
w old Let the people of the North see whittier
-, are drifting; and now, as we differ so nluc
lh' sentiment let us separate in peace.
outh. Enclosed, | hand you the amount of my
,,a,s, scription to lst of June. When | am subdu
.,, love by your love-powder and pills, admins
% w, E. " from the cannon's mouth, or, peradventure.