The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-02-09
THE ANTI.ClvIL WAR.

To THE EDlTOls OF THE HERALD.
beg leave to enclose few extracts tending to re-.
the general but erroneous impression that the
trainers Of the constitution had in contempla
tion and therefore, failed to provide for the contin
gency which now exists In our national affairs.
Mr. Randolph in the federal convention which formed
the constitution introduced resolutions In which find
the following to call forth tho force Of tho
Union against any member of the Union failing TO fudl
Its duty under the articles thereof"
When this clause up for discussion Mr. Madison;
author Of large portion of the "Federast and subse.
quently President Of the United States observed "tha&
the he reflected the of force the more he
doubted the praccabihty the justice and the efficacy Of
it, when applied to people collectively and not ndi.
vidually union of the States containing such in.
gredent seemed to provide for its destruc.
tion. The Of force against State would
look more like a declaration Of than an
infection Of punishment, and would probably be
considered by the party attacked dissolution or all
previous compacts by which il might be bound, lie
hoped such system would be framed might render
this resource unnecessary and moved that the be
postponed which motion was agreed to nsps. cox
(Elots Debates, VOL ", page 14o) The subject came
up subsequently, and after debate in which Mr. Gerry
of Massachusetts, declared that he against letting
loose the myrmidons Of the United States on a State
without its consent the clause rejected not
withstanding the protest Of Governor Norris Of New
York, that we first form a strong protect us,
and at the time wish TO tie his hands behind him.,
Vol. ", page 438)
When the constitution submitted to the States for
ratification, Alexander Hamilton in the New York COM
vention, remarked 1t has been Observed To coerce
the States is one Of the maddest projects that
devised. failure Of compliance win never be
confined to single state. This being the case, can
we suppose it wise to hazard civil war; What
on tn yiaw
complying State at with non-comp'y-
ing State; Congress marching the troops of one
State into the bosom OF another this State collecting
auxiliaries and ompg perhaps majority AGAINST the
federal head Here is nation at with itself. Can
any reasonable man be well disposed towards govern
mcnt which makes war and carnage the only means OF
supper ting tsels-a government that exist only by
the swordY Every such war must involve the innocent
with the guilty. This single consideration should be
sufficient 10 dispose every peaccabe citizen against such
government. But can believe that State win
suffer itself to be used instrument Of coercona
The thing is n dream; IT l. impossible"
The attention If State legislators is specially in
vited TO the concluding portion Of the remarks Of thor
great predecessor.
Governor Ellsworth, of Conn c.cut who was a promi-
NJ member OF the Federal Convention, while explain
ing the proposed constitution to the Convention of that
state which subsequently ratified it, said "Henre
how necessary for The Union is a coercve force. The
only question is, shall it be coercion OF law or
coercion OF aDs2 There is other possible alterna-
tive. Where will those who oppose a coercion Of law
cone our Where will they eId9 necessary Consequence
OF their principles war of the States against
the other. l am FOR coercion by law, that coercion
which acts only upon denquen mt nd viduals This con,
sttution does not attempt sovereign bodies
States, in their political capacity. No coercion IL ami.
cable TO such bodies but that Of armed force II we
should attempt to execute the laws Of the Union by send
ing med force against delinquent State IL would
involve the good ana bad the innocent and guilty in
the sane calamity (Flots Debates vol H. page 1877
The same sentiments substantially were uttered by
hcssrs Fawes ana Rufus Kiog Of Massachusetts and
Mr. Mcktan OF Pennsylvania in the debates on the con-
stiiution and as late 1870 duripythe Missouri Com
pre- mise agitation, Thomas Jefferson in letter To Mr.
Rush. in furtherafce Of the idea which he embodetin
the Declaration Of Independence says:we exist, ana
quoted as STANDING proof that a government so
Modelled as 10 rest continually the will of the whole
society Is practicable Cover nmentn andas Life OF
JeIenon, vol. ill., page 45S)
We thus find that the doctrine Of the coereion az
State by the federal government Only did reserve at
tebtlon from the trainers OF the CONSTITUTE IN bur wae
tmnhacally denounced .civi war !" and dctinitye-
ly rejected by the Convention.
In this hour OF trial. when national men OF All partjes
vieng with each other in their professions Of devotion
10 the constitution are earnestly seeking the way Of,
Truth IN order that they may follow seems TO be not
unmportont to give circulation to the construction
placed on that instrument by those who framed H.
ieel satisfied that many republicans who are actuasef
only by desire 10 do what Is right would willingly
abandon the coercive doctrine of their party II thew sun
posed that they could be constitutionay Justified In az
doing. And may ferve also TO strengthen the demo
crazy in faithful adherence to the prncipes vhicl,
oist city deny to the general government the power 10
coorcc sovereign State tending directly To civil war
and certain aud rreparable disruption ofthe Jbion
Your obedient servant, NJ Lowell