Clarksville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1865-1867, 1865-12-08

PNCeedlDgln All respects seNela OF tne Kingdoms
Europe. And II the whole Of the other thrty-iyt
States should desire H. they cannot rghtfully ate
this without the consent of Delaware faef H-..
Bat suppose they do so with or without the right
what redress has Delaware She could not out
vote or fight the others aud must either submit tc
a breach Of the compact without redress or retire
from il. This may explain the remarkable state
ment Of Rawc. This right (that Of secession)
must be considered an ingredient in the original com
position OF the general government which though
not expressed. was mutually understood y That
such understanding existed with The framers of tho
Constitution is proved by the fact that 10 the early
debates Of Congress, under the existing Constitu
ton, The threat Of seeding was made more than
once, and the right to do sowas not euesiioned.--
IN the Constitution there is no principle that per.
mits the coercion of State. When suggested, II
was deliberately excluded and if there be nothing
that can lawfully coerce State to remain what
can lawfully prevent its going2 nu aIa 500
And il as DE Tocqueville held, the right Of Sc
cess.ou cannot be disproved II follows that when
the event occurs the State becomes foreign power
as regards the rest and if war ensue, the acts OF
its citizens are acts of war, and not of fstreason-
The difference produced by the step is very maie-
rial. If citizen of Maryland were now to take
mp arms against the Federal Government, he would
commit an net OF irenson But IL that State should
first sscede and call outfits forces to resist Invasion
he must then respond TO the call in OBEDIENCE tc
the laws Of the land Can he commit treason in
acting in obedience 10 law2 According TO the
Washington theory, the position of the Southern
man would be hard indeed; for if he obeyed the
Federal, and should be found in arms against his
State, he would be guilty OF treason against the
law of that State and if he obeyed the State call
he is now charged with treason against the Federal
Government. Such a position cannot be enable.
The law of the State plainly absoives the citizen
who has no choice bet to obey it. Against the
State itself redress may be desired and demanded
but it cannot be found rightfuly in that Constitu
lion from which the coercion of Stale WAS ex-
cluded. A traitor, too, takes up arms against the
government that is over him, aud attempts TO over
throw it, We cannot find that any one attempted
iu overthrow the Washington Government on the
contrary, strong efforts were made by the South to
enter into amicable relations with il. But argu.
ments of this Kind are not likely to obtain much
attention at a period Of so much excitement. One
that can not be overlooked is the fact that state
of war was recognised by the Federal Government
It was ndjudged not only by prize courts but by
aside Ii was recognized in the exchange of pris-
ners, and various conventions entered into during
the war. 1t was admitted in the most striking
manner by President Lincoln and his Secretary o
State, who went in person to treat with commits
sicners Of Jefferson Davis.
II has been said that all this was done under the
pressure of events, leaving original rights in abey
ance, which may now be revived. BY this kind Of
argument almot any breach of faith could be de
Tended. Whatever the motives, there is the fact
1t is impossible to say that President Lincoln went
10 negotiate with ambassadors appointed by a trail
ior Whoever treats with the ambassadors treats
with the Government and with the head of The
Government; and after this, Mr.. Johnson has ne
more right to charge the head of that Government
with treason than we had 10 charge il upon The
Emperor of Russia at the close Of the Crfmean war
We cannot take opposite principles, change then
ABOUT, reverse hem, leave them, return TO them
10 suit the convenience Of the day. No govern
ment can play fast and loose in matters of life anC
death. -.|T -H I cf
There are other considerations For four yenr
Jefferson Davis was the appointed ruler of clever
great States-States, several Of which had beer
acknowledged as free sovereign and independent
powers hy the governments OF Europe. II do
minon was no mere insurgent district, but regior
ampleenough for many Kingdoms. He sent in {
the field great armies made illustrious by briTliau
victories, and leaders of enduring renown. Sup
ported by a unanimous people, he ruled in STRIFE
conformity with the laws Of the land and lis cor
stnution. if 'F
When vehemently urged as he was, TO suppress
the opposition papers, which were ever buzzinl
and singing at Richmond. greatly 10 the proit u
the enemy he resolulely refused TO interfere will
the ireedom.of the press. When urged to .etaliat,
the murder of ten men shot in cold blood at Pal
myra, by the Federal Mcneil, under circumstances
Of atrocliy that none can read without shudder
he refused 10 listen TO the voice of natural ndg
nation, and declined to shed one drop Of blood e&
cept on the open field Of battle. In all but penury
= for his property fell earlYjpto the enemy hands
and his salary payable in the depret dated currency
soon but afforded the necessaries Of life--calm dig
nifed swayihg with commanding intellect the able
men that surrounded him; eloquent as writer
giving Sta'e papers to the world which are among
he finest compositions of our time; OF warm do
nestle affections in his inner life and Of strong
religions convictions; held up by vigor OF the spiri
that neryed an exhausted and enieebled frame
su,h was the chosen constitutional ruler of one
fourth Of the American people, whom it is now
proposed 10 visit with ielon death. We do moi
believe that such an act will be perpetrated. Thre,
minutes may end that life the scailold, but al
The centuries to come cannot undo the deed. We
feel assured that there are thoSein the North who
will reflect how such an act would read in the fu
lure history Of the eountrymen of Washington
Nor can there be wanting in the North men Of suf
icen judgment TO discern that the obstacles in the
way of reunion are great enough without adding
another, spot that could never be washed ou
while memory holds its place among the people Of
the South. .... ....-.
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