The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1883-08-09

HENRY CABOT LODGE is the writer of
the Life of Webster, one of the States
man Series. In it he speaks of one of
Webster's constitutional arguments and
remarks that the facts were against Mr..
Webster when he argued that the con-
stitution at the outset was not compact
between the states, but national instru-
ment. A review of this work in semi
literary paper, labors hard to controvert
this opinion, and quotes largely from the
Federalistand opinions of jurists to prove
that the constitution was not regarded
as a compact.
ANY person who has read the history
OF these times without prejudice can
come to no other conclusion than that
the constitution was simply evidence OF
league, and that the states when adopt
ing it, felt they were surrendering nothing
that would destroy their sovereignty, nor
were being bound by any ties which they
could not sever if their interests so die
tateo. 1t has grown to be an evidence
Of loyalty to assume to believe that the
national constitution was always supreme
and those persons whose lip loyalty is
always active, are ready to cry out ''trai-
tor if this position is not conceded.
But there is nothing to prove that the
states when adopting the constitution,
felt they were mourning obligations
which were permanent and unavoidable.
On the contrary, there is much to show
that they felt these ties could be dissolv
ed if they proved onerous or distasteful.
The doctrine of state rights carried to an
extent beyond restricting the national
government to an exercise of delegated
powers, as it recognized the right of Sc
cession by a state, has been held by
every section of the union, and seeming
ly as compatible with allegiance to the
constitution. The southern states had
the courage of their convictions and they
had to bear the odium that lately has
dblhSuCu w CAilCLuO DldtO fIChSs
While the New England States which
repeatedly threatened secession wear
the chaplet which is the reward of high
principled loyalty.
While no one feels to day like ques-
tioning the wisdom of the Interpretation,
put upon the constitution, which no less
tribunal than Civil War was competent
to make authoritave, still the force of
that Interpretation can not be dissipated
by candid admissions as to views enter
tanned in the early history of the country.
Constitutional history should not be dis
torted by party bias or sectional hatred.
The facts are what are of moment and
should be given without the colorings of
prejudice.
The federal purity, which was the pro-
genitor of the republican party, counsel
ed the secession of the northern states
in the event of the purchase of Louisi-
ana, knowing that this acquisition of ter
ritory would leave the balance of power
with the south. The Embargo Bill of 1907
was so bitterly opposed by New England
that secession from the union was con-
templated because of its restrictions on
commerce. Legislatures in northern
states refused to furnish their quota of
troops for the war of 1912 and asserted
uu5p uISOCany UuO supremacy VI oUduts.
The annexation of Texas furnished anoth-
er opportunity for the enunciation of
doctrines Of secession by the northern
states, and Notwithstanding the boosted
loyalty of abolitionists, they urged a
ACKNOWLEDGMENT of the union in order to
escape being citizens of nation which
tolerated slavery. The doctrine of seces-
sion was always held to be valid one
until the decision of the strongest ba-
tallions" was rendered.