Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1861-02-20
! MR.. MADISON ON SECESSION.

The advocates Of the constitutional right of seces-
sion constantly refer to the Kentucky and Virginia
resolutions of l798 '9s-the former written by JET.
ferson and the latter by Madison The following
letter, lately furnished the n Y. World, by Mr.. N.
+. Trst, who formerly occupied distinguished po-
sition in the Department of State, shows how erro-
neous the construction is which has been placed on
those resolutions both in the past and at the present
time, by those who seem to desire the disruption of
the Union, and are but too willing to seize upon any
pretext or authority to justify the act or to sustain
it as matter of right: "a a.. {. g. ;,lfG
MONTPELIER, December "a, 1882
DEAR Sir: l have received yours Of the 10th, en-
closing some South Carolina papers. There is in one
of them some interesting views of the doctrine of
secession, among which one that had occurred to
me, and which for the first time that have seen in
print namely that if one State can at will withdraw
from the Others the others can withdraw from her.
and turn her, molenten uolenten, out of the Union
Until of late there is not State that would have
abhorred such doctrine more than South Carolina
or more dreaded an application of it to herself The
same may be said Of the doctrine of nullifcation
which she now breaches rs the only doctrine by
which the Union can be saved.
pertake of the wonder that the men you name
should view secession in the light mentioned The
essential difference between free Government and
Government not free is that the fomer is founded
on compact, the parties to which are mutually and
equally bound by it Neither of them, therefore,
can have greater right to break off from the bar.
gain than the other or Others haze to hold him to
it; and certainly there is nothing in the Virginia
resolutions Of ys adcerse to this principle, which
is that of common sense and common justice.
The falacy which draws Q different conclusion
| from them lies in confounding single party with
the parties to the constitutional compact upon the
United States. The latter, having made the CON-
pact, may do what they will with it The former,
one Of the parties, fidelity to it till released
by consent or absolved by an intolerable abuse of
the power created. In the Virginia resolutions and
report the plural number (Stdtes) is in every in
stance used whenever reference is made to the au.
thority which presided over the Government
As am known to have drawn these documents,
may say, do with distinct recollection it was
Intentional 1t was in fact required by the course
Of reasoning employed on the occasion. The Ken
lucky resolutions, being less guarded, have been
taken with those of Virginia is the word "respect-
i've" the rights, &C." to be secured within the
States. Could the abuse Of the expression have been
foreseen or suspected the form of it would doubtless
have been varied. But what can be more consist
ent with common sense than that all having the
rights &C.. should unite in contending for the secu
| rity of them to each?
1t is remarkable how closely the nul6ers, who
make the name of Mr.. Jefferson the pedestal fol
ever his authority is clearly and emphatical
ly against them. You have noticed what he says ir
his letters to Monroe and Darlington (p 43 and 20(
vol. 2d) with respect to the power of the old Con
gress to coerce the delinquent States and his reas
ons for pereerring for the purpose naval to mill
tary force; and moreover his remark that it wa
not necessary to find right to coeree in the Fedora
artieles that being inherent in the nature Of com
pact Nis high time that the elaim-to .eeede a
wiI should be PIT dorn by the public opinion an.
am glad to sec tho task commenced by one soho un
derstands the subject
know nothing Of what is passing at Richmond
more than what is seen in the newspapers. Yo
were right in your foresight Of the effect of the pas
sages in the late proclamation. They have provel
leaven for much fermentation there and created al
alarm against the danger of consolidation balancing
that of disunion.
With cordial salutations.
-n..- JAMES MADISON.
I Nycuoy AZ p TRJST