Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-10-22
ne state sovereignty views Of Alex,
'f# ander SkFenGs

The state SOVereigEtty views OF Alex /
fH ander SkFenss
The World labOrs very diligently to
overcome the objections to a Convention
1f States based upon the condition that the
full and absolute sovereignty of the States
shall first be granted as sins-qHa-nOn. 1t
is bold and candid enough to admit that
the doctrine of State Sovereignty is just as
much opposed to tbs convictions OF the
North as it meets with approval IN the
South. But yet it maintains "thst II the
Union can be restored, this metaphysical
opinion of the South would ultimately, by
reason of fselfinterest, die out in the South"
II than endesvors to show that this same
doctrine of State Sovereignty has been held
At different times in our history, and that
it has as repeatedly died out, the former
defenders of it being afterwsrd its bltterest
opponents. This is all very nice bit, oil
speeulation. but it is unsound IN
starting with the assumption that the
Union could be restored and the virtual
independenee of the rebel States be inst
rooopnized before Convention Of States
was cslled. A convention of States predl-
ested upon an admission of the right
Of snv State to secede and Oonse-
r,ent Justification of its rebellion, never
could result in the restoration Of the Union
except upon such terms as rebels might SEE
at to dictate as conditions of their return
Those terms would be new and stronger
guarantees for slavery, the remsnolng
back to bondas e of all blacks freed by the
war, the assumption of the rebel debt D!
the limited States Government, the ouI
lswrv of all leading men who had 81
temntsd the suppression of the rebellion
beside. other terms equally base and hu
initiating. There is no sense therefore II
the specious reasoning of the World In
racornition of the right of State to seced
might be asalve t0 Southern pride" On
il would never result in the restoratlo
of the UuiOn,
Mr. Stevens wants Convention
States no longer in the Union, nor govern
cd nv the Constitution. The Union part
and the Constitution both require rep'
disiiou of secession. If the rebels WI
llav down their arms and return to the
allegiance, then a Convention OF IL
states IN the Union may be called. II
method provided by the Constitution
found in Article 8:
"The Congress, whenever two-thirds
both houses shall deem it neee
sarv. shall propose amendmen
8 to this constitution, or, on the a
s plieation of the legislatures of two-thir
}. Of the several States, shall cell cOnve
ton for proposing amendments, which,
either case, shall be valid to all intents al
purposes, as part of this constitution, VIII
e ratified by the legislatures of three-fourt
It | of the several States, or by Conventions
q tbree-fourths thereof as one or the oth
made of ratification may be proposed
the Congress"
Such a Convention could only be Of Stat
Is in the Union. We are glad to see o
Democratic journal bold enough to reT
II diate the Stephens plan, and come out
= opposition to the World The Chica
Post says:
'r GIfM Mr.. Stephens truly represents
y rebel people, then the Democracy If 81
e. cessfuI will have renewed cause to pro
w cute the war against the rebellion with
! creased vigor and determination. L
Democracy recognize no power outside
OF the constitution. Within the provisiC
be of that instrument, they are willing to
anything for peace and Union, but Il
he will not step beyond the constltutl
- They will therefore nsver reeognlzs
W confederacy of the rebel States, nor
or they ever recognize the dissolution OF
%; Union"