The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1902-11-02
The Right of Secession.

Baltimore Sun.
A discussion Of the constitutional right
of n state 70 sccede from the Union IS
somewhat belated at this time, aud yet
such discussion has been going on and
1t Is not devoid Of interest. II has been
the custom In the North to stlgmatlze the
Confederates and secessionists as ''rebels'
and traitors" IL Is perfectly natural for
the South to resent such terms and 10 en-
deavor to show that IN leaving the Union
the Southern states were acting entirely
within their constitutional rights. In a
recent speech IN Chicago Mr. Charles Fran
els Adams admitted that In the Constitu
ti0ual argument on secession the South had
the best Of It, Nevertheless, Mr. Adams
bitterly resented a statement made by Rev.
j. William Jones OF North Carolina, tuut
Mr. Adams grandfather President John
Quincy Adams, made on one occasion In
the house OF representatives. secession
speeches (which would have done credit
to William L. Nancey or Robert roombs
Mr.. Jones statement was that January %,
1872, Mr.. John Quincy Adams presented a
petition from citizens Of Havcrhll, Mass,
10 congress- praying that It would imne-
diately adopt measures peaccably to dis
solve the Union Of these States and assign.
1 Ing reasons for such action, and that when
Mr.. Marshall Of Kentucky and MIR Gilmrr
VI virginia introduced resolutions censur
Ing Mr.. Adams for presenting such a petit
tion the question was debated for two
weeks, Mr. Adams ably defending himself
done credit TO William L. Nancey or Robert
Toumbs.
10 this statement Mr., Charles Francis
Adams made q hot and somewhat intern
peUate reply, accusing Mr.. Jones OF dcllb-
crate falsihcatlon and saying that Mr.
Jones knew perfectly well that when j.
Q. Adams presented the famous 'Haverhili
peuuon he did 80 stating that he wss
( TONERS, but presented the l.ctltion IN &C
! cordance with what be conceived TO be his
duty TO submit 70 the house petitions from
! any quarter properly drawn up, which
might be forwarded 20 him He recon.
mended that the petition In question be re-
ferred 90 committees with Instructions To
report the reasons why the prayer OF the
petitioners could not be granted"
Now, Mr. Jones, who Ia the chaplain
general Of the United Confederate Vet
Grams. IN an able article In the New or
leahs tleayune, Iully snstains the state.
ment he made concerning the views of
John Quincy Adams, then a member OF the
house OF representatives, and an expires
| ldent Of the United states, Mr.. Jones
cites the Congressional Globe MS his au.
thority, and there can not be any doubt
that he proves his case, AT that time tho
southern influence dominated congress,
aud yet the house refused 10 receive the
Secession petition from Nassachusctts IN
a vote OF ldG nays 20 10 yeas. This vote
vas taken after debate lasting about two
I weeks, "a which Mr.. Adams was assuiici
| Iinclpaly ny hr. Henry a. Wise aud Mr.
Gllmer Of Virginia, and by Mr.. Marshall
/ % Kentucky Mr. Glilner and Mr., Man,
shall both offered resolutions consuming
Mr. ADAMS tor Insulting The house" by tue
I presentation Of the petition. The 0ebatn
/ CG theae resolutions, aud especially Mr.
/ Adams speeches. as quoted nv Alr Jones
/ snow that NJ, Charles Francis Adams IL
I NOT Wen informed as 70 the sentiments ~
] MS distinguished ancestor. In presenting
/ the secession petition Mr., John Quinc,
Adams declared that the petitioners we're
not the only persons ia the section OF tho
| country to which they belong 10 whom
| these sentiments are famhiar" IA bIs|
| sncecbes IN reply 10 Mr. Henry a Wise
MI MaIshall and Others, Mr.. Adams had
! the Declaration OF Independence reid. ana
/ emphasized that portion which declares
] the right and duty 81 the people 10 giter
/ or abolish the form OF government Mr.
wniSh might arise and Justify secession
/ .',If the right Of habeas corpus and the
by this coalition II Southern sIavsho S'STSs
and the Northern democracy" he said. ut
1 y, time Tor ths Northern people TO see II
! present petitions such as this
| yi Ln Sae course o. the debate Air. Wise Of
nnsinia sharged that Mr. Adams had
maintained that II the twenty nrst rue la
! rule adopted against the reception OF abali,
ton petitions by the house, should be con
~ as ~ toree, this session three tourtls
/ o. the states or the Union would he lpso
/ i tsse'o assolYed from thelF allegiance TO
/ ,.tsStN AuAHlh mere interposed 70 explain
re had not said that such would be the
/ case should that rule be continued this Sea
sion, but that II the policy were persevcrcd
IN ~ ana the rule were permitted to remain
l tVl the Iuture as settled rule OF this
/ house, then those States would ia ahsoiysi
/ from their allegiance 70 the governments
nf, Jones Is not content With these ma
| Sbhatf lVotatlons, from the Congressional
/ Globe 70 establish his point but h. mak@s
tne iotoNmg extract from a speech mgde
| ~ John quincy Adams before the New
1 York Historical eorletv In JS9q. wv"
TO the people alone Is there reserved ~
Vel the dssolving as the constituent now
! 81 ana that power can be exercised iv
mem ody under the tie of conscience
Mndlng them TO the retrlbutiye iuytiee ~
t hasaEeni With taese qualifications Ne may
apns, ene same flght a. vested 10 the pc6.
I ssssse " ths Gsnasal KsveEnmsRt. whIea