The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1861-05-08
G0vslNol's MESSAGES


iuG saItIN anu MNitdtN Va RbutCs iH
nv Judgment, demanded that you should be
convened at this unusual period.
At the time of your adjournment, six of
the States had, in the most solemn manner
known to our institutions, withdrawn them
selves from the Federal Union and establish
ed Confederate Government, able and de-
termined to maintain its independence.
Whatever difference Of opinion may have
existed as to the wisdom of the successive
steps taken by those States, it was generally
conceded in Nsrth Carolina that they could
not rightfuily be constrained by force to re-
main in the Union.
You were greatly divided in opinion as to
the right Of a State to secede from the IN
ion, and also as to the expediency of exer-
cising the right at that time, admitting il 10
exist; but all admitted that if conciliatory
measures should fail TO restore the seeding
States to the Union, they should be permit
ted to withdraw in peace. Probably not one
Of your number ever believed that the Fed
eral Government would ever be guilty Of the
wickedness Of drawing the sword without
having first rendered the olive branch.
The right now asserted by the constituted
authorities of that government, to use mil
itary force for the purpose of coercing a
State to remain in the Union against its will,
finds no warrant in the Constitution, and
still less in the principles on which all our
Republican institutions are based.
Ours is a Government of the popular will,
and not of force. In its Construction the
consent of the governed was substituted for
the rule of the sword-the former being
regarded as the "vital principle Of repub-
lies" and the latter as z the immediate par
ent of despotism.' As our fathers loved
liberty and hated tyrany, they selected that
power of government which cOnserves the
one, aud rejected that which, sooner or later,
never fails to produce the other.
Upon this principle our State Govern
ments were formed-each complete and
sovereign republic within itself and in as
socating themselves in a Federal Union
they did not surrender it, for such would
have been a surrender Of their right of self
government. This theory of our Govern
ment precludes the idea of authority vested
ii the federal head to coerce, by force OF
arms, State acting in its sovereign capaci-
".
More explicit evidence of the intent Of
the trainers Of the Constitution is furnished
by the journals and proceedings of the Con-
vention. This evidence cannot be kept too
prominently in view, as it illustrates the
character of our COnfederacy and furnishes
safe guide for the performance Of public
duty.
Two distinct propositions were made in
the Convention TO confer upon the Federal
Government power to coeree State.
The first was proposition to confer upon
she National Legislature the power 80
call forth the force Of the Union against any
member Of the Union failing TO perform il.
duty under the articles thereof"
The second was in these words: " If any
State or any body Of men in any State shall
oppose or prevent the carrying into exeeu-
ton such acts or treaties. the Federal Exc
cutiye shall be authorized TO call forth the
power Of the Confederate States, or somuch
thereof as may be necessary 10 enforce and
compel an obedience 70 such acts or an obser-
vance 81 such treaties"
All Inc members who spoke upon these
propositions spoke against Them, and all in.
GLIDING their movers, voted against them.
The sentiments thea expressed BY the tive
leading minds Of the Convention, represent.
ing the two opposing classes Of political
opinions which divided il. leave nothing Il
doubt a 10 the true Interpretation Of il &C.
ton.
Mr. Madison observed. " that the more lie
rejected on the use Of force, the more he
doubted the practieability. the justice and
the efficacy Of it, when applied TO peopi,
collectively and not individually. An Cni0I
Of the States. containing such ingredients
seemed to provide for is own destruction
The Use Of force against state would Tool
more like declaration Of var than an ia
Fiction of pgishment and would probabl,
be considered By the party attacked disso
luton Of al previous eompacts By which
might be found"
General Hamilton, speaking on the sam
Subject. said: /" But how can this force b
erer,ed upon the States collectively: II !
impossible. Il amounts 10 q war betweei
the parties. Foreign powers also will no
be idle spectators. They will interpose
The confusion will increase aud dissOIu
ton Of the Union will ensue." Again, il
lsstrating. BY historical example, the CON
sequences 81 an exercise of such power b
4 COniederated Government, lie said: "Il
DEGREES we're signals Of war"
The Declaration OF Independence ha
distinctly declared:
That whenever any form Of government
becomes destructive Of these ends, Cthe se
earity o. their rights il i the right Of ID
people 70 alter Or 10 abolish il, and 10 inst
tute.. a.new government. laying its foundatio
On such principles and organizing is pow
ers ID such form az 10 them shall seem mo.
likels 70 effect their safety and happiness.
Aud % have given 20 the Federal Govern
meni power 20 compel the organized CON
munities II States 20 remain under the 90
ssrnmeht against their will, would haY
been y give y. II power which lhe Decla
ration 81 Independence had declared coul
not be possessed BY any Government what
ever. Hence We are not surprised 10 70
that the proposal 10 confer such power ha
DO advocate IN the Convention.
Alter the government had been organized
one II the earliest. A. II was und0uh,rdl