New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-03-01
THE SECESSION MOVEMENT.
REPORT or The SPECIAL COMMITTEE.
SECESSION Is REVOLUTIONS.
THE LAWS nusr BE Ynrogcw.

Jsnuary to whom has been referred TWO srecll 1neS-
.sges al the President, and sundry other paTers at
different times yesterday submitted To tie honse OF
Representatives the following report:
That they have Dill gently considered the several
matters referred TO them by The House ana under me
authority conferred, to report from time 10 time,
have heretofore submitted five special reports upon the
following subjects, TO wit:
F.r.t The protection Of the public property accom-
panied by bill 10 provide Tor Gaining foith the mlis
and TO accept the services of volunteers IN cer'ain
eases. . 80
Second. The collection of revenue, with bill.
Ihird: On the subject CT secret hostile organHa-
sion or conspiracy TO seize the Capitol, &c
Fourth. The position Of the ships, re.ignaiion Of
naval officers, Sc, &c.
Ff(Jh. On The subject Of treating with Versons who
claim to have seceded, and established independent
governments within the bounds Of the United states.
II now remains TO eonsider briefly the remaining
subjects intruSed 70 yourCOmmitiee. The Cemmittee
have been in session nearly every day since tsy were
appointed. Among the great variety OF e'oJeets pc
fore them thew have diligently cocidorec large mum
Der of petitions ard memorials on tho subJec OF con-
citation and compromise, and while they earnestly de-
sire that peace and harmony may be restored 70 our
distracted country on the basis Of justice end equality
90 all sections, with fun recognition Of all Consn-
sional rights AID obligations yet IN view OF the iact
that there are many and 20 weli-consdeIed Propo
sions already before the House. they have oeened II
tnexpedient to make any recommendations on tse SUD
jec and they report back all papers relating TO the
seme. 90
certain forts ard arsena, reyenuecRItes, and other
property of the Uuited Slaes.
The rand DEVELOPMENT Of acts OF lswless violence IN
aporti0n OF the Confederacy-the no0rety and unois-
pnted character Of the factsbave perhaps rendered
exect and official inquiry less important than could
have been anticipated. All the Committee deemed
necessary hes been obtained nthe forms OF communca-
lions iror the Executive Departments Of the Govern
uent and are herewith communicated, on these sub
Secs Bat III proportion the necessity OF proof OF
their existence has diminished the consideration OF
their magnitude and importance has been rendered dif-
fcult aud imperative The state OF things,
whether we call il secession rebellion revolution,
considered in Its magnitude and character, presents
question unsurpassed in importance by any ever pre-
septed 10 this or any other Government IL becomes
"A question Of existence TO the Government ana IN
wolves not only the happiness of the VIOUO OF cur
present population but Of moro than ten times that
number of their unborn descendants and the hopes OF
the friends of free government throughout the world.
1t is time for the American Congress to consider
what the civilization of the world, the hopes OF man
kind and the spirit Of fathers lowering over u.s.
expect us TO do One Of the most remarkable things
ever developed in the history Of our country Is the
steadiness uniformity and power, OF the ratio OF tho
increase Of our population for seventy years mas
scarcely changed and strong to-day, on basis Of
30 00O 900 as il was when We had but ,OUJCU OF
inhabitants 1t doubles our population once in twenty
i've years Could We conceive possible for this same
ratio ~ continue for twice seventy years more, the
wear A. D. 1000 would find within our present bounds
1,6o0,O 900 of people. The question as 10 what
shan be the condition of this vast multitude, and
lsnee on the one hand Of oppression and tyranny
on the other shall prevent, under tho inevitable laws
of population, their existence at all and turn tins
heritage into barren waste may well lead us 10 pause
and consider and when have discovered our duty,
amply ourselves TO its discharge with increasing fidelity
and with unAinching hrmness. Hitherto our progress
without PSFSple a,,rc ana ~s sssII rrnmSls
futo dust by the folly and madness
Of the hour. not only unchecked but permitted and
yen aided by the rashness the one hand, or I'M.
49, he other
authority in its different departments, TIE memorials Of
IL greatness and benefcence, s glory and renoWn, Oi
Che homes and fears that have hitherto clustered around
and the disinterested patriotism and sterling virtues,
nro at least secure. SO much is safe. When eerial
Influence will ever continue 10 be felt and bless our
race till time shall end. What, then, is Secession
ihs question forces seh upon attention al every
step Either in its legal constitutional aspect or in
ts revolutionary character or III the fearful conse-
uences of its unchecked progress meets US at every
step it shapes all policy, 1t imposes new and imPeia-
dive duties and since threatens the existence of the
Government itself, its treatment should command the
wisdom and patriotism OF the nation.
Self-preservation is the first Law Of nation. The
eower 10 defend its implements Of tepreseryaoI is
sne of the cleares Of all its powers. We cannot
seive of nation without the power TO Guild and de-
fond forts and all implements Of within its
Jurisdiction And yet Secession cAins 10 have seized,
within sixty days, fourteen forts, costing $3.50 Soo,
eod mounting l,l24 guns These forts are not only
held against the United States, but two others
soeely beeged and assault is every day threatened.
TIE srseDss, thearms the revenDecuter the Castom-
Houses the Post Offices the mints, the money, and
sven the hospitals of the United States seized and
bald with mpuniiy. The operations OF commerce
trnpeded Seven States claim 10 have released them
selves from all Constitutional obligations to have dis
Fupted the Government, and formed a new and inde-
pendent Confederacy in the bounds of the United
Bates all in the name OF Seceesion, and yet we
told Secession is not only peaceful bat constitutional
remedy. AS If the Consultation had provided for ito
own destruction by an nconsideTsbe fraction Of tue
power that made 1t.
To show the utter baselessness Of this claim rs q
constitutional remedy it is only necessary 10 consider
chat the ordinance Of Secession any OF the States
can By possibility rise higher sovereign act OF
abe State than State Constitution adopted by an
cauic Convention. If concede all possible regular
ky and formalty in the Convention, and the fullest
sanction Of the State to the ordinance u Secession, il
n still no higher than tho organic law Of the State
1ust high enough Ia fact 10 be subordinate to the Con-
iaitntion Of the United States. Art O. sec. l. of the
Constitution declares:
This Constitution and tho laws Of the United States which
shan be made In thereof aud all treaties made or
which sbal be made under The snthonty OF the United Stses
sal the law Of tho land aid the Judges la
be bound thereby anything the Constitution
1sDos Of SecssOD laws OF Slate 10 tho contrary not
wfhs.snding"
The Committee content themselves with this simple
statement TO show the unoonsttutionsty Of the whole
proceedngr.
II is also clear that the claim is destructive Of the
frst principles Of government ia any form. For the
gightul powers Of government arc made Up OF such
individual natural rights have been surrendered by
Individuals, for the purpose VI obtaining FROM the
governments thus erected security and protection for
their remaining righs. The powefs Of State in the
Union derived from the individuals Of the state.
Hence the maxim Of our fathers: " All governments
derive their Just powers from the consent Of the
governed"
Whether we consider the Government Of the United |
States a. a compact between the States q Union
on the whole people secession Is equally Illegal and
absnrd and equally destructive Of the first pfinciples
oil