The New era. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1865-1871, 1866-06-28
HON. Il EN-. UIRRIS.

IN iOiioh liz Is XII tAliG 1l lioiIl IliS
recent speech in Congress. It possesses
hitsoric interest at least:
There was a time when hut few denied
the right Of secession. From the earli-
est period Of our Government il has been
asserted and elaime |. Great and ruling
parties have proclaimed it; States have
sanctioned II; statesmen Of the highest
character all over the land have aVowed
II; commentators on your form Of gov
eminent have expoundea il; and can
any one in such a state OF facts dare To
denounce the aet Of secession as treason
III Government of free opiniena The
doctrine of secession was born with the
Constitution. It became ruling prin-
eiple Of the ruling Democratic party, in
serted in their platform from 1888 TO the
late war. New England formerly de
tnElnined to practice it On an oheasi0n
which she thought demanded it. Ohio.
through her high officials and abIcst
statesmen, declared her determination
to adopt il. Josiah Quincy sanctioned
it. John Quincy Adams, IN most for
anal address before the Historical Sopie-
+ o New York, in 1889, most emphatic
lS announced Il rs the true doctrine.
But, sir, have alluded IL this doe
tfit1e OF secession, not with the view Of
deiendingit 1T this time, but With Il
wish to introduced an authority e0nnee-
ed with q fact Which is known or recOl-
leeten, expect, TO hnt few. William
R8Wtc, formerly Of Pennsylvania WAS
one at the al3lest lawyers Of this country
n 1874 he published a Commentary on
HE Constitution, 4 work frequently re-
9#ffed to As authority on tie exposition
o TIA ms fHment not only at the bar,
b. subsequent commentators. His first
edition was soon exhausted, ana III 1929
he published 4 new edition Of his work.
II the preface 70 which he states:
TN this edition the principles laid
down in the first remain unaitered
% author has seen no reason fer amy
change
Thus, after having in the edition on
Isl laid down most clearly and en-
phaiically the doctrine of the right of
State to seeede from the Union, he re-
safes the d. .trine, afrer m1ture renAe-
ii0n and study. in his second edition,
dQ claring that che had seen no reason
fer any change
would now, sir, merely refer YOU
and this House To his able exposition on
the subject rs contained in the thirty
second chapter |. his work. New this
work of William RaWle WAS approved
OF and strongly Endorsed by the ab!est
and profOundest LAWYERS. It WAS intro
tlueed rs Il text book on Constitutional
law III the schools and colleges through
out the land, and during the Presiden-
cy of John q. Adams was adopted as
the textbook on the Constitution in the
Military Academy at West Point 1t
Mas the text hook when Jefferson Da-
Wis was there, ana was placed in his
hand as Il cadet and student in that in
stitution. He learned his first lessons
of secession through the agency and
teaching Of this Government itself. and
it may be his misfortune, but surely not
his fault, that the lessons thus drilled
into him have made lasting impress
sion on his mind.
What possible ns' ification can any
man have, under such circumstances, in
making the charge against him of being
conscious traitor..' Would a COM
mon pcdagogue chastisc 4 pupil for hav-
ing learned and understood his lesson
too well: ean hardly believe the dew
Il himself. We're he to place the book of
God into the hand Of fallen angel in
order 10 subject il to perverted criticism.
would punish him if he were 10 be con
vineed and turn Christian. What should
be the conduct OF this Government I'M
Ger sucH CirGuil9S anCeS towards .lciicr-
son Davis and those who from strong
convictions of the correctness of their
COURSE acted With him: Justice and
public honor demand their immediate
release ahd restoration 10 their rights.
the more especially as such course can
not in the least conflict with public safe
ty.
A California paper says large lake
has been discovered in that State. from
the water of which can be obtained a
large quantity of borax without much
trouble, and in a state Of almost abso-
Lutte purity. Considering the fact that
the world is now dependent on the la
eoans OF Tuscany for its borax, and the
contingency that this foreign supply
may at any time be cui OFF. this tiiscov-
try is of no little importance.