Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1861-06-02
y TN. Sac ee..lo N Factions.
mhat iaa facfion2

IH i . =.
Mr.. MADIsos defines 1t thus: "a number OF
citizens, whether amounting to a majority OF
minoyiiy oi the whole, who are united and &c
tuased by some common impulse OF passion OF
os interest, adverse to the rights Of other citi'
zeus, ors the permanent and aggregate Interests
q! the community" .f,..
Judged by this definition the secession COM
b;nstions in the Southern States, whether in the
majority or in the minority il matters not, are
clearly factions operating against their own
States, as well as against the United States
Tbese fsctious combinations had no grievan-
GA. 10 allepe against the United States, yet they
seized its property, resisted the execution oil It's
laws, and declared the connection OF their States
With the Union at an end. These acts were not
only unauthorized by their own State Constitu-
tons. but were committed In direct and paipable
violation thereof. They we're aggressions upon
the interests and rights of citizens under state
Constitutions, as we'll as under the Constitution
Of the United States. 1a st st t..is'sn.
supposing, for the sake Of case, that these
individuals 80 combining and consplring for the
overthrow Of all constitutional government hao
any real grievances to allege against the United
States, there was remedy ,OithiH the Union ano
under the Constitution. They could have sought
an amendment of that instrument, or change
IN the policy of administering the Federal Gov
ernment. But instead Of uniting and pressing
far an amendment of the Constitution, or eveI
awaiting the development of the policy OF TN
new administration, upon mere suspicion ant
surmise thatit would be adverseto their interests
they plunged themseBes, and attempted ''
nluoee their States, into the vortex OF Sc
osssion and rebellion. ..-
But If the constitutional remedy, alter long
strenuous and untiring efforts, bad failed to re
dress real or supposed grievances, there was stli
away of proceeding, which, ifnot fully Jasnn
ahle, would have at least gained the respect
instead OF the disgust and contempt of the civil
ized world. Instead of executive and military
officers, and State Legislatures, and State Con
ventions usurping power and committing acts II
clear violation of their respective State Consti
tutiops they could have sought an amendment
their Constitutions, and thus have preserve
their State Governments intact, while submit
ting the great question at issue, in legal AM
constitutional way, to the cool, unbiased ant
deliberate Judgment Of the people. But tnos'
factions, excited by passion, blinded by prelu
dice, and prompted by selfish ambition aud
mistaken view Of their own interests, have dis
rsearded the constitutional rights Of their ow'
citizens, and organized a formidable rebellion
against the United States. As factionists the
began their plots and conspiracies, and as rebel
they have developed them in overt acts againi
all constitutional government, State and Ma
tional. '..s'I.ss, y, i. ,-..e,.rr,s % -ar.si,
These rebellious factions--aot the South
the Southern states-must be srejESatsd, tha
is,broken up and dispersed. This is due aiik <
% the people of the United States as wnoi' i
aod 10 the people Of the several States wher
these combinations exist. Let, therefore, 10
Federal Government move cautiously, yet enel
estically forward, and crush out these treason il
Able combinations in State after State, as It ha
already done, to great extent, in Maryland an
Missouri, until the supremacy Of the FEEDERS
Constitution and of State Constitutions shali
fally recognized by all men In every State an
TERRITORY, and the legal and constitutional righ
Of every citizen shall be universally protee.e
throughout the Union. u sbtsss ts4i ss b