Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-07-11

Federal Constitution. mus know that there have
been developed at various times certain strange
oniaions concerning the nature Of the Federal
Union. the foundation OF IT, authority aud the
character of tie obligations which owe to Il
In general the peuple Of the United States have
been content 10 re-t upon that theory respecting
their Government. which has slways prevailed in
its official administration in whatever hands that
administration has been lodged: this theory being
that the central Government holds certain direct
and sovereign but special powers over the whole
people. coded to it 10y the voluntary grant OF the
people of each State. But sense of injury in
certain localities, sprnging from wrong supposed
to have been committed or meiitated 10y the
ruling majority. or by those who at the time exer
csei the power of the majority. has not unfre-
queuily led men here as elsewhere to indulge IN
speculatOns aud acts quite Inconsistent with the
only basis on which the Government Can be said
to have any real authority whatever. To emu
merate all these occasions or TO recite the intern
perate conduct that has attended them in periods
OF great excitement, ia unnecessary. But there
is one of them which may serve as a simple H.
lustration OF all that desire to say on this special
topic.
1t is commonly said-and with much logical
truth-that the doctrines OF notification lead by
natural steps, to the doctrines of secession: and
the late Mr. Calhoun, who Is Justly considered as
the patron, if not the author. of the former, is
also popularity regarded the father of the latter
But il is important for us, in more aspects than
one, TO know that Mr.. Calhoun did not contem-
plate desire a dissolution of the Union He
adopted doctrine respecting il which does in
deed lead. when consistently followed out. to
what Is called the constitutional right of seces
sion: but he did see this connection or intend
the Consequence. There is reason to believe that
If his Confidential cOrrespOn ence during the
times of notification shall ever see the light il
will be found that he was a sincere lover of the
Union, and was wholly unconscious that he
sowing in the minds OF those who were TO come
after him seeds that were to bear fatal fruit. Ii
was in his power az one time TO have arrested the
career Of the nuliers in South Carolina, for to
them his word was law; and il he had 80 done,
he would probably have been placed by his
mero-s, powerful and attached friends out OF
that State in nomination at least for the highest
office IN the country
But what was il that led thaqrlbtle acute, and
generally logical intellect, to Embrace theory
respecting the Constitution. which was entre Y ut
variance with the facts that attended it. establish
mentI The process WAS very simple, with mind
of highly metaphysical and abstract turn Mr.
Calhoun had persuaded himself. contrary to
earlier opinion, that protective tariff was
constitutional exercise of power by the Genesal
Government, oppressive to South Carolina; aud
he about Tor a remedy He saw no relief
against this iancied wrong. likely to come from
majority of Congress, and the people of the
Union; and reasoning from the premises that the
Constitution is a compact between sovereign
States. an niraction OF Which the parties can
dress for themselves when all other remedy fails
he reached the astounding conclusion that the
operation of an act of Congress may be arrested
III any State, by a State ordinance, when that
State deems such act unconstitutional ex
erciSe OF power. But he always maintained that
this was remedy within the Union, and not an
act of revolution, or violence, secession.
This memorable example OF the mode in which
opinion respecting the nature of our Union is af
iected, rs full OF insurrecton at the present time
But, let no one misunderstood or mlsrepresent
the lesson that draw from il; and that no one
may have excuse for so doing, let me be as
frank and explicit as my temporary relation To
this audience demands. | do not say that the
course and result of the late Presidential ele -ton
furnishes the least Justification or excuse for
what the South has done. | have never believed
that any circumstances of constitutional elec
ton, could OF themselves afford justification To
any State or any number of States, in with
drawing from the Union. Neither do | say, or
believe, that any condition of opinion respecting
q right TO withdraw can afford the slightest apoi
oSy Tor that conduct Oh the part of individuals
IN or out Of the Government, in respect to which
there must always reman in every sound mind "A
great re>lduurn of moral condemnation. Neither
DO doubt AT all the existence long cherished
purpose on the part OF Southern political
men, To seize the first pretext for break king up the
Union OF these States. Applause
But, my fellow citizens, it does not appear to
me-and there is practical Importance in the in
curry, IN reference To future restoration of the
Union-tat eought sobery TO consider, whether
amy mere conspiracy of politicians could have
found Diiting people it causes had not long
been in operation. which have promoted the
growth of doctrines and feelings about the ma
ture and benefits Of the Union fatal its present
dominion over their minds and hearts.
What has been going on here in the North
during the last twenty or twenty five yearsl We
have had faction, or sect, party--cail it what
you will-conStantly increasing, constantly be.
coming more and more an element IN our poll
tics, which has made. not covert and secret, but
open and undisgui-ed war upon the Constitution,
its authority, its law. and the ministers of its
law, because its founders for wise and necessary
purposes, threw the shield OF its protection over
the institutions OF the South Ii there is "A dis
organizing doctrine. one Numerically hostile
10 the supremacy of the Constitution, which that
faction has not held. inculcated and endeavored
To introduce into public action, | know not where
in the whole armOry of diSuniOn 20 look for il.
Applause They never cared whether the Con
sutution was compact between independent
States, or an instrument OF sovereign government
resting on the voluntary grant and stipulation of
the people OF each State Destroy it, they said;
destroy il! for, he il one thing or another it con
tans that on which the heavens cry out and
against which min ought To rebel And so they
went on doing their utmost To undermine all re
spect Tor it, obligations and to render OF no kind
OF Importance the foundations on which its au
thority rests. The more that public men IN the
North, from weakness, or ambition. or for the
sake OF party success. as-imilated their opinions
TO the opinions of this faction. the more it be
came certain that the true ascendancy and supre
macy OF the Constitution could never be regaiued
without some enormous exerton OF popular
energy, following some newly enlightened coiIdi-
ton of the popular understanding When the
country was brought 10 the sharp aud sudden ne
cess,ty OF vindcating the nature and authority OF
the Union, there was throughout the North
general popular ignorance OF its real character,
aud wide spread infiety TO some or its mpor.
tant obligations
What has been going on in the South during
the same periOdy On this point there is much 10
be learned by those Who seek the truth II yor
will investigate the facts, you will hnd that no
such opinion a right OF secession had any gem
era acceptance IN the South. No general sup
port was given in the South To the conduct of
South Carolina Ia the m liter OF qualification.
Very few southern statesmen or politicians OF
eminence not belonging % that State, followed
Mr. Calhoua and Ne. Hsyne and when The great
debate on the nature OF the Constitution was
closed. the general mind of the South was salts
fed with the result.
How is il nowg The simple truth j.. that