Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1861-05-13

a-fnRnlear q ssCassloH.
Il i claimed By some. even smoog
%, that the Southern States have right
70 .eosde, and, ~ l6oaIsquenoe, any
State be- : right % withdraw from the
federal compacb and Get up Government
on IL own hook, without regard to the
desires or Interests Of the balance.
We have never found ourselves 10 con-
dition to admit Of any such proposition.
Any people may rebel, and if they have
strength enough to maintain those prin-
cirlss which induced rebellion, the ma
tons Of the earth usually acknowledge
their right-and admit their nationality.
All rebels are considered traitors until
they have proven, by FIRE and sword,
that they are patriots. So the foremost
10 rebellion sometimes win the highest
niche in the temple Of patriotism.
Speaking Of the right Of secession, in
duces us TO quote from N able article
from the Richmond EaqSirsr, Of the
date OF November ], 1914. The article
alluded to was in reference to the Hart.
ford Convection, which was composed
Of the ablest Fedralists Of the day, and
Who, after about three weeks cOnsidera-
ton, come to the conclusion that "when
emergencies occur which are either be-
yond the reach Of the judicial tribunals,
Or too pressing to admit Of the delay in
cident to their forms, States which have
no common umpire must b. their own
judges, and execute their own decis-
IONS"
Virginia, which has % lately seeded
bravely fought against the action Of that
body, and in unsparng terms denounced
it. Here comes in the opinion Of Vir-
ginia upon secession then. We quote
from the Enquirer Of the above date
mo man, no association of men, no
State or set OF States, has . righ1 to
withdraw itself from this Unlon, Of its
own accord. The same power which
knit us together can only unknit. The
same lormality which forged the links
Of the Union is necessary to dissolve it.
The majority of States which form the
Union must consent to the withdrawal
Of any one branch Of It. Until that
consent has been obtained, any attempt
to dissolve the Union, or obstruct the
efficiency Of its constitutional laws, is
trcason-treason to all intents and pur-
poses. Any other doctrine, such as that
which has been lately held forth by the
Federal Republicans, that any one State
may withdraw itself from the Union, is
All .bomniable heresy-which STRIPS its
author Of every possible pretsnsion to
the name or character Of u Fedora list.
We call, therefore, upon the Goernment
Of the Union to exert Its energies when
the season snail demaud it, and seize the
first traitor who shall spring out Of the
hot-bed OF the Convention Of Hartford.
The illustrious Union, which has been
cemcntod by the blood Of our iorcfath-
ers, The pride OF America, and the won
der OF the world, must not be tsmcly
sacr feed to the heated brains OF the
aspiring hearts Of few maIcontents.
The Union must be saved when any one
shall dare to assail it. Countrymen Of
the East we call upon you to keep
vig'lant eye upon those wretched men
who would plunge Us into civil war and
inevitable disgrace. Whatever may be
the temporary calamities hich may as-
sail us, let us swear upon the altar of
our country to SAGE tie Union"
In the language Of contemporary We
would say, that such was the sentiment
Of Virginia in those days, and it is the
sentiment OF thousands Of her sons at
this day. The duty Of the Government
was never more plainly and earnestly set
forth than in these patriotic words.
II the State Of South Carolina has .
reserved right to set up . government
OF her own, to seize the property of the
United States within her limits and re-
fuse to pay duties in her ports, then the
var on which we have entered is un-
righteous, and ought to be abandoned.
If the people Of South Carolina are
bound, in the sight Of God and man, to
render obedience to the Government of
the United States, then the Government
must be sustained by the entire strength
Of the country, until the question is set
tied forever. Property and life will be
spent by millions, but neither property
nor life 10 secure il it il admitted that
any member Of this Union may plunge
the whole system Of Government into
disorder, whenever it chooses to set up
to govern itself.
II it were possible to conceive Of war
waged in the spirit Of Christianity, our
prayer should be that God would inspire
the government and people Of the Unit
ed States with the same spirit that
dwells in his infinite heart when he
deals With those who cast off bis govern
ment, and erect their own in the disor-
der that ensues. The forbearance of
tue government hitherto has been with