New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-02-12

ar modify either IN accordance WIN
49,, o,vo convictions Of public interest and
It, The modes in which the Federal Const-
,ut;on may be amended or superseded are
pointed out 10 that instrument itself; they are
a part of the Federal pact and cannot be dis
regarded with IMMUNITY by any section, party
or faction. The right to change or modify
forms of government is vital element of our
political systems; but the ins'rumentafitles
through which such rights are exercised must
either be those constitutiODaly indicated or
they are violent, subversiye, revolutionary.
" Governments derive their just powers from
a." the consent of tie goyerned;" but that Is
true alike of Federal aud State Governments,
each of which has unquestionable rights, Willie
neither can rghtiully assume to supersede and
set aside the other. Had Abraham Lincoln on
his inauguration as President, without resist
ance or provocaton on their part, issued Il
proclamation nnnulling the Constitutions OF the
several Slave States, and reducing such States
to the condition of Federal Territories, his act
would have had the same validity as the pre-
tended acts or DEGREES of Secession, passed IN
most cases by Conventions, but in some by
Legislatures of the States now resisting the
Federal Government. 81 owe," said Henry
Clay in the Senate " a paramount allegiance 10
the Government of the Union; l owe but
" subordinate allegiance TO that OF my own
State"
Secession and rebellion proceed on precisely
opposite assumption. They make the Union
mere alliance; The Constitution treaty; the
States the fountain of all power; Congress
gathering Of ambassadors; ard the allegiance OF
each citizen to the Union not merely terminabe
but absolutely terminated by the assumed with
drawal of his State from the federation. The
citizen may believe the Federal Government
wholly right, the State authorities utterly, mex
cusably wrong; bis judgment, conscience, afec-
tons, may all incline him to the side of the
Union. Yet if Convention or even Legs
lature of his State shall pass an act of Secs
sion theu it is his imperative duty to Ego with
/" hiAState," and he becomes traitor and q
tory if be does not JEFF. Davis, in his late
Message coolly characterizes Secession as "the
" dissolution Of league" Beauregard, 10 bis
official report OF the battle Of Manassas speaks
of the attcmp. 10 maintain the Federal nuthor-
iiy and enforce the collection Of the Federal
revenue. in the seeded States as this wicked
" inrasion of the homes of free people.
And the State of Arkansas, after reoiting that
said State, on her entrance into the Union,
made an irrer0oabie surrender TO the Federal
Government Of all right and title 10 the Public
Lands within her limits, proceeds TO revoke
that rreyocabe cesson and approprates sald
lands TO herself! From the beginning Of this
struggle, we have noted recognition FROM Il
rebel source of any duties by citizens to the
Union but such a. their respective States may
from time 10 time prescribe.
Suppose, now, that the rcbcis should to-mor-
row Internationally lay down their arms. and
sulleny resume those seats 10 Congress. which
they have chosen 10 vacate: What doctrine,
are TO prevail henceiorth with regard to the
powers Of the Federal Government and The
duty Of citizens 10 bear il allegiance To
rebel to-day, submit tomorrow. and rebe
again next day, may be sport to RESTLESS asPir
ants and adventurers, but il is death to the
prosperity and well-being of the country
/ Unless the doctrines which underlo and giy,
countenance TO the rebellion be rcprobated, th,
discontinue OF the rebellion will be partial anC
incomplete.
On the other hand, the triumph OF the rob
els on their chosen ground will be the inaugu
ration, as to them, OF eternal anarchy. Suppos'
their independence established aud recognized
what faith can be reposed in the stability 0
their "leaguel ~ Who will hold their bonds
when each State ia at liberty to secede an,
thus eschew oil obligation to contribute to thei
payment The civilized world may unite il
recognizing their Coniederacy as nation bu
the States composing that COniederacy utterly
scout the idea. South Carolina may socedc
next day because the African saye.trade is no.
reOpened; Texas because her frontiers are NO
efficiently protected; Georgia because she want,
Protection for her Manufactures; and Missls
spp because she objects to Duties on Import,
altogether. a Confederate Government based
on the Right of Secession is morning fog, O
snoke.wrcaih, dissolying view, an organized
anarchy. Such n Power-it would Doubtless
disclaim the idea Of natonality-would be the
butt OF testers, trayesty of government, and
the derision of mankind. The mere laughter
irresistibly melted by its absurdity would suffice
to dssolve and destrOy IL
suo.~ssr4 ~ ss1as-syns.so-D
Succession Va. SLAVERY PRESI.
DENT LINCOLS's VIEW.
Some Of orr renders will have naticad vY,tb