Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1881-03-12

stitutional convention of 1889, and for
tihes himself with extracts from Story
on the Constitution, "Elliott's Debates
and "Bancrotts History He refers 10
the memorable debate on the purchase
of Louisiana, when Josiah Quincy, Of
Massachusetts,, asserted in the House Of
Representatives that that act virtually
dissolved the Union, so that the States
were freed from their obligations, aud
should prepare for pesceable or forci-
bic separation. He gives the history of
the adoption of the tenth amendment to
the constitution, by which 1t was pro-
yiied that 1.-The powers not granted to
the United States by the constitution,
nor prohibited by it 10 the States, are
reserved TO the States respectively or to
the people" He vindicates the right
OF secession as perfectly compatible
with the constitution, and claims, be-
sides, that the general government has
no ligh,iul power 10 prevent il. The
question, he maintains, rests with the
people, from whom all power is derived.
Arriving in the latter part OF the first
volume at the period when hostililies
commenced, the narrative makes rapid
progress. How one State after another
( followed South Carolina out of the
/ Union is briefly sketched. The author
/ refers TO the Northern protests against
/ coercion, in which connection the name
! of Mr.. Greely figures prominently. lie
maintains that the South did everything
/ in is power 10 go out OF the U"ion
praccably and quietly. lie TAX q
| ircudiicr view of Lincoln at the be Sin-
/ ing OF bis administration than that OF
his coni-eres in the federal government.
! He speaks Of Lincoln's inaugural ad-
dress. and saws that Mr.. Lincoln did
/ not so far violate the traditions OF his
country as to defend coercion. These
extracts from Mr. Lincolns inaugural
led the South TO hope that the separa-
ton would be brought about in peace
lul manner. lie pays tribute 10 the
manly conduct of Major Anderson at
! Fort Sumter, but condemns the action
of our government in undertaking TO
! supply Forts Sumter and Pickens with
provisions and ammunition as gross
| breach of faith. lie accuses Seward
and others Of bad faith in representing
that no hostile intentions were involved
! in the succor which was sent TO the gar
! risons of the forts, whereas the real do
sign was 10 enable the troops 10 hold
out against the demands OF the South
! for the restoration of It's property. lie
characte.ixes the act of the Lincoln nd
miuistration in sending ammunition
| To Fort Sumter as an aC. OF fraud and
yrevarication. Defending them, aud
still juslityting the right OF the South
TO Withdraw from the Union aud form
a government of its own, he lays tho
responsibility for all the blood shed up
ON the North. He speaks at length OF
the journey OF the peace commissioners
sent by the Confederate government
from Montgomery, then lis capital, TO
Washington, to negotiate for a peace.
iul adjustment of the question at issue.
lie severely crllicises the conduct of
Secretary Seward and his colleagues
during these deliberations, aud asserts
that the overruIes OF tho South were
not met in a frank and candid spirit 1t
is impossible 10 give. ut this early Day,
even a general view of the concluding
portion OF this work, which, after oil
will be most interesting To all classes OF
readers. lie will give, il is said, q very
full discussion OF the peace movements
in the last year Of the war, and will
present an elaborate defense OF the pol.
icy of his administration ns opposed TO
the Stephens, Brow n aud Toombs policy.