The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1861-05-25
sUHJuGATION OF THE SOUTH.

This term is made use Of by the leaders
OF the Southern revolution to arouse the
masses of the people to take up arms against
the Federal government. Thinking men
cannot deceived by such cry as this, how
ever much it may influence the baser pas
sions Of the ignorant. The simple explain
ton Of this whole matter is that the United
States government, whether headed by Abra-
ham Lincoln, John &. Breckenridge or Ste.
phen A. Douglas, exercises, by virtue Of
the constitution, supreme authority over ev-
cry State and Territory; and every Governor
OF every State, and every Federal and State
Judge, when about to enter upon the duties
Of office. are required to support and uphold
under oath, the Constitution Of the United
States. The very organization Of the Fed
eral government was based upon this idea,
and Mi State governments, and all State
courts, are held in subordipation to this su-
preme power. Were this not so, State at
any time could arrest the execution of the
Federal laws, and the government would be
completely at the mercy of State conven-
ton or State legislature. If, on the the
DRY Of secession, a State may withdraw at
pleasure, then there could be no possibility
of making and faithfully carrying out treat
les with foreign powers, protecting citizens
in foreign lands borrowing money for any
purpose, and exercising those functions that
alone belong to general government. No;
it was the intention Of the States, when the
constitution was adopted, to form perfect
Union; and, furthermore. to clothe the gov
eminent with power to execute the laws of
Congress against all viclators. This is all
that the Federal government is now trying
to do. II says to the Southern people,
"obey the laws, and you shall have, as here
tofore, all the protection to life and prop
erty that you DESIRE" The government
could do no less; it seeks to do no more:
and all this talk about subjugatiou is mere
claptrap. If South Carolina will but obey
the laws, as the great States Of New York
aud Pennsylvania are now doing, not q sim
gls right belonging to her people would be
withheld. She will have n Governor of her
own choice, two Senators in Congress, and
her proper quota of Representatives. Fed
eral judges will execute the laws, the mails
will be carried as usual, her slave property
respected, and instruction suppressed, If
need be, by the Federal government. Could
anything be more reasonable2 Could a rea-
sonahis-y, sTYfs- s ssx sr'srsIhing more? Is
not the Federal government just as good as
the government Of the Confederate States ?
What advantages does that government pos
sess over the one we now have? We can.
not discover tho slightest gain, but We do
clearly. that the moment State secedes,
that moment confidence in her future conf
dence in her future good behavior ceases:
peaceful citizens feeling a sense of insecu-
ritv, either ies or rush to arms, business
stops. property of all kinds sinks in value,
the State bonds become almost worthless,
anarchy and confusion prevail, and a perma-
nsns injury Is inflicted upon all the interests
OF the State. In short, secession is ruin:
and We venture the assertion that no seced-
ed State can ever enjoy thu same amour, of
prosperity and security under any attempted
new government; besides, the very theory
upon which the Confederate States have or
gaui.ed n provisional government is dessruc-
tive Of every principle of stability and per-
manenee, and to maintain themselves as a
power to be respected at home and abroad,
the people must undertake to support civil.
military AMI naval power, capable Of COM
handing respect from powerful nations
This will necessarily entail heavy svs,em
Of taxation, and instead OF feeling relieved
by reason at secession, the burdens OF the
people wilt be augmented, and their abili-
ties 10 resist oppression will in great meas
urs, be swallowed up Scisaf,te dmericaa.