The National tribune., 1879-05-01
State Rights


devoted to the interests of no political party Spe-
ciay aiming secure justice to that great body of
our fellow citizens who fought for the flag to pre-
serve our nationality intact, we have no disposition
to step aside from mission in which we are deeply
interested
But now at period in our history when it was
supposed that the fact of being nation had been
established by the might of the soldier as we be-
eve it previously had by the logic of the statesman,
again has arisen in Congress and in portions of
the South Ga resolution that the members of the
Louisiana constitutional convention should take an
oath to support the Constitution of the United States
has been laid the table, again we say, has arisen
this fell heresy States rights
Now all the soldiers Of the Union Arn,y batted
with this arch enemy to our peace, our enduring
existence and therefore it is legtimately within our
province and we feel it to be our duty to present
some thoughts on the subject
The Calhoun idea that any State, upon the pas
sage of any disastefu act of Congress- or upon the
election of any Objectionable President has right
to secede from the United States we hold to be un-
sound, untenable and utterly absurd
Is it possible that the wise founders of this nation
when they established it, were so intellectually i'm
beetle to plant within the Constitution the verv
principle which would render that Constitution void
and nonoperative? Is there the slightest intima-
tion in that instrument of any way or manner where
by State could be loosed from the nation?
Again, whatever varied views might have been
once entertained in regard to the right Of secession,
its condemnation is forever sealed by the fact that
the United States in 1879 is totally different in all
the circumstances of its organization from what it
-, L A., i 4
1t now consists of hjYt-eight Tlcentj-f four States
(Texas became under different conditions) have
been formed from the United States, acquired by
that nation through gift or purchase
Now these States, in fact, constitute the United
States of America. They elect forty-eigh Senators
the whole number being serenty-s5r, and a majority
of the House of Representatives They choose. too,
President and Vice President when the election
is by the House Of Representatives, and their mem
bers are in majority in the Electoral College
The legislation, then of our Republic in 1879 is
by and through the people and their descendants.
who have settled on her domain, which she has
formed into States, having suitable boundaries and
prescribed limits, dictated by Congress, the law
making power of the United States
As example of the ridiculous nature of the Sc
cesson theory, take for illustration the State of
Louisiana purchased from Napoleon The most
strenuous advocate of State rights will admit that
if she had set on foot rebellion, while territory
having in view return to French authority. the
United States would have been unquestonabv Just
ifable in crushing the attempt and yet forsooth as
soon as she is State integral part of the Union
she can withdraw therefrom and re-unite with
France. She had no right to rebel against the ma
tiOn until she was f1Ilv admitted to no q nor+ion
thereof!
1t really appears if the absurdity of this propo-
sition would be discovered by any school-boy of
twelve years Of age, Of ordinary intelligence
Again, in the Constitution we find that the United
States shall guarantee to each State republican
form Of government, and under this mandatory
clause had the JEFF. Davis organization ceded the
rebel States to any monarchy in Europe, as was