Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1863-04-16

argument 10 mitigate the gor of our Judgment against the
frmness aud the fidelity Of these But the first
trvers of this conmopD its authoritative organs in the
Confederate Government aud is best opponents at all
times have placed It's vindicaton simply upon the right of
secession They exhibit it the lawful exercise Of the
prerogaye Of State sovereignty They maintain that each
State has reserved right to withdraw from te compact
of the Union when may conceive such act to be con-
duce to its advantage aud that each the sole judge
of the exgency which may justify it IN taking this step
In their view not essential that State should be bound
TO present gravamen inflicted upon it by the Union much
less of ntoerablo OPPRESSION necessary motive
to dissolve its relations with its compeers its own will
its convenience its caprice eveno these are the logical
deductions from the exclusive right to determine the mo-
tive for wthdrawas sufficient The State say they, is
sovereign the Union its creature 10 IL not for the sub
ordinate to question the exercise OF sovereign Will The
theory of revolution would present different case that adj
units the supremacy of the law alleges for resisting
it, and appeals to force right Of secession nfers peace
u assertion, and throws the Government which rsssts
into the category of aggressor The Southern Confede-
acy all along regarded the Government of the Union
1t repes the idea of revolution something derogatoy to
its dignity The Conederaes deny that they are unlawful
combinations disturbing the public peace, that they
rebels They resent with peculiar acebity the claim Of
the United States to consider them citizens holding
that by their sovereign will and pleasure manifested
separate of secession they have attained to the
rank of independent Power and that the National Gov
ernment in employing force for the preservation of the
Union is guilty of an unprovoked outrage.
This s the climax which the long and assduous teach
ngs Of perncious ophisty have at last conducted
the country The doctrine of State rights very ntelgiby
developed in the Constitution-and there defined
highly conservative and useful element in the structure of
the Government-has been ranspaned into the soil of
political school which for many years past has been the
peculiar of certain Southern statesmen. Heretofore
the times have been unproptous to the of this
school Either their doctrine too subtle for the
apprehension or too little in accord with the rapid
growth and prosperity of the country to attract much
what perhaps may accurately account for
the public Indifference to its teaching suitable uncture
had arisen in which its mschievous quality might be de-
veoped and turned to practical by agitator 1t is
markabe in the history OF this philosophy of State tights
that it has heretofore TO the surface of public
affairs to give direction to political action when it has not
been beaten back and stamped with the condemnation of
the country The present crisis is the only in the
whole of its activity in which it may be said to
have found any substantial support Ii has now, to
utter amazement the favor and advocacy ostensby
of the whole South sweeping into the food of its
whelmng tide many of the best and most considerable Of
the old time defenders OF the Union
What say these but that they have either
been overawed into submission that they had not the
6rmness to maintain the truth of their convictions
amidst the seductons of popular enthusiasm In either
their compliance is the sign of weakness, and de-
monstratonvery sad TO think of very CALLING to the pride
OF such of have been wont to boast Of the glory of
republican nsutonsof the utter futty of the hope of
guiding and governing country by faith in the virtue of
principles and trust in the integrity of men.
We hear it often said that there attachment to the
Union left in the South. do not believe it, think this
but the loose speech of angry partisans Notwhsand
ing the appearances the contrary and notwithstanding
the certainty Of the fact that many from whom hoped
host of and patriotic scattered through every
State of the Southern Confedeacy, who but bde their
time speak potent word in support of that blessed old
Union which the madness of day has brought into eo
paroy. think you and could some of our old
comrades who will yet be heard sounding that clarion note
Of loyalty which the country has often heard in past time,
when these very dangers upon us were only looming
in the distance. They are quiet now many Of them in
voluntary exile in the bosom of the communities in
which they dwell silent and sorrowfd doubt, and long
ing for the day when they may forward to speak of
peace would fain believe that many good men of this
are held in by Providence for that special
vice They wait for the subsidng Of the waters when it
may be safe forth quest Of the olive branch
With what full hearts and overlooking eyes will they be
welcomed bosoms il they bring that sacred sym
Dol Let US wait and hope
JANUARY, 1868. PAUL AMBROSE.
LETTER III.