Year: 1861

Thomas J. Spear, Esq, of New Orleans, thus briefly but forcibly gives his views against secession:

 1st. I do not see any sufficient good cause to dissolve the Union, or to break up the Constitution of the United States of Ameri- ca without first ascertaining if there IS not a remedy by which we can settle all the object ionable difficulties now existing between the North and South as regards the slavery question. ..

 2d. I believe the best mode of proceeding is that a convention of all the Southern States should be called together, and as many of the border States interested be invited to ioin. to cooperate, and that convention to agree upon some plan of action to be sub- mitted to the Northern States for thelr con sideration Should they reject the proposals offered them for their approval, then 1t will be time enough for this convention to pass such other resolutions as they may deem necessary for the general interest ot the Southern States, and to be submitted to the people for their approval afterwards

 Sd. 1 object to separate secession on these grounds; for; should Louisiana or any State secede from the Union, she would relnquish all her just rights to the general interest In the present government property either Tn or out of Louisiana.

 4th. I am convinced that the State of Louisiana or any other States are not pre- pared to purchase all the public buildings, forts, arsenals, guns and ammunition for self defence in case of invasion, which those States are inevitably bound to do If they ln- tend to form new governments.

 5th It is my belief that, inasmuch as South Carolina has seeded from the Union, our sister States should pause little to await the issue between that State and the General Government, and on this depends the fate of the whole Southern States.

 Gth It IS my candid belief that if the peo- pIe of all the Southern States would become united, and meet in concert with the few dis affected abolition States in the North, that an amicable settlement might be entered into to act in concert in the whole Union as hereto 1 fore, or if not succeeding in this a seperate separation could be brought about in friendly manner, and fair division of all the govern ment property made between the North and South, after which let the largest number of | States COnlDneu GCtdln tue NdtIOLdI NONC ClA- ment as 1t now exists.

 These are my sentiments, and they should be the same with all true Americans be they native-born or adopted, which were the true sentiments and principles of the signers of the Declaration of Independence of these United States, and ap'roved by Gen. George Wash ington, the father of this beautiful Union.

 believe, in my heart, that there cannot be found in the State of Louisiana single indi- vidual, who is true American at heart and 1 has any interest for her welfare, but that will scorn the idea of voting her out of the Union before cooperating with other States in the ! South and the border States. In conclusion, l hope that the u~hcring in of the new year will commence with . speedy termination of all the difficulties now agitating the people of the American continent, and peace. health and prosperity will continue to reign through out the land of our beloved country, and the right hand of fellowship and intcrchanges of friendly good feelings extended to each other, as all true Americans have done heretofore.