The Oxford intelligencer. (Oxford, Miss.) 1860-18??, 1861-02-06
NUMBER FOUR

- h.si sf NUMBER FOUR l.f-i psil g
IT has been suggested to me that these Sfti.
cles are too late as secession has become fact
But think diffsrently--they seem to me to be
just in good time: Moral power is of the first
importance to the success of our glorious cause;
and it cannot be denied that there are many in
our midst; even now; who, however ready they
may be to maintain tie position Of the State at
every hazard, yet do not distinguish between
the right Of State; as such, peaceably to sscede
from the Union, and the natural right of every
people to resist oppression BY armed force, and
thus revolutionize their government, however
consolidated. The latter is the right which the
people Of every State have, as against their own
State government; when 1t assumes unwarranted
and oppressive powers; while the former is the
inherent right Of each State. as an Independent
sovereignty, to withdraw from an alliance which
she had voluntarily entered into with other na-
tons, and to resume the powers by her delega-
ted to the common agent whenever she deems
that her interests require it. To give us this
moral power, which is tie great lever of phys.
ical power; II is necessary that our people should
be built up IN the true faith. Convince man
that heis right and his resolution and his cour-
age BecoHis invincibie. An uneasy ''sonscicnce
makes towards of us all !" but
file Is thrice armed;
ae That hath his quarrel justI''
Besides; many Southern States have not aeted
yet, and it will give our cause great strength in
those States, and throughout the world, to show
that the seeding States are only exercising their
legitimate powers ind are planted upon the i'm;
mutable principles of justice and right. 1t
would also greatly tend IL keep the peace.
In my last article established, think, be-
yond controversy, the right Of State to secede
from the Federal Union whenever she thought
proper IL a8s6i Yet; while / maintain and be.
lieve that this right is perfect and complete;
do not think it ought to have Been exercised by
any State, without good and substantial reasons.
But such reasons do exist; and, in order that
Mississippi and the other scceding States may
stand justified and vindicated before the civilized
world hi the course they have taken, propose,
in this number, to examine some Of the causes
which led to it. and see If they be not sufficient
aye and more than sufficient-to justify
those States in res5rting to thc extreme remedy
of secession,
One of the prime objects Of the States in
forming the Union was, as expressed in the
preamble to the Constitution; "to insure domes-
tic tranquility" Yet in the very first Con-
gress that assembled under the Constitution, at
its first session, petitions were presented from
citizens Of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, pray.
ing for Congressional action against slavery, moi
only in the District Of Columbia, but in the
States. And from that day to the present, this
war upon thsiHstitutions Of the South has been
kept up; in one shape or duother. THIS abol
iorsentiment which seemed at first to 30 Soii
fined to few despsed fanatics, gradually grew
IN strength and proportions Societies were
formed IN the fi5hisiaveholding States, whose
avowed objects were, not only to foster and pro
mote among their own people feeling Of Hos
tiiity towards tfie South and her institutions
but, il possible, to propagate their diabOlica
sentiments among the Southern people them
selves, and, BY means Of secret incendiaries sent
amongst us, and the most inHammatory picture,
and publications circulated through the pubic
mails, to neite Instruction ahlong our slaves
with all its attendant horrors, at which hell It
self might Bfush for shame In 1885, thi,
prostitution of the Post Office Department hac
assumed such vast dimensions and such danger
Gus features, that President jackson dcc1ied 4
necessary to bring the subject to the notice o
Congress, and to suggest the passage Of law L
correct this abuse Of the public mail sefvice
And bill was accordingly introduced into thu
Senate for that purpose, on which q long snt
able debate ensued but II was finally rejected
principally for two reasons: 1st Because I
was regarded as more properly q subject o
State action; and 3D. Because of tie dificuity
Of adjusting the details. President Jackson a
his message, showed just appreciation Of tn,
nature Of the Federal Union, and Of the charac
ter and tendency Of these incendiary measures
lie said sfs.i o.g 7aea' q ieirii Z iiaI
orbcre Ia doubtless no respect.bl, nort;on .
our countrymen Who can be SO far m;sled as 4,
feel any other sentiment than that of indipnan
regret At conduct SO destructive Of the harmon, i
and peace Of the country. and 50 repuenant i
the principles Of our national eompact and b
4 4.