The Abbeville banner. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, July 09, 1851, Image 1
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TWO DOLLARS PER ANNUM, : ' "^ Pllloi> of thc South? for the sake of lhc PAYABLE IN ADVANCE.
BY HENRY S. KERR. ^ *. V^jABBEVIU,K, SOUTH-CAROL1NA. WEDNESDAY MORNING, JULY 7, 1851. vor. viir Mn is
POLITIC AX.
Snlwtanoe of the Remarks of
HON. WILLIAM F. COLCOCK,
Delivered before the Convention of Southern
Bights Associations, assembled in the
Military Hall, Charleston, S. C., May
7, 1851.
Mr. President and Gentlemen of the Convention
: If a8lranger sbould enter this Hall,
and see this unusually large assemblage of
citizens from all parts of the State, composed,
cis it is in a great degree, of her wealth, intelligence
and influence, ho would at once
VUIIIU W lll? UUIIUUOIUII WUflfc OVIHU OUUJCUl IOI
beyond the circle of ordinary topics had
brought them together.
A short time since, a member of one of
your local Associations rises in his place and
offers a resolution proposing that a general
Convention of all the Associations in the
8tate should be held in this city, for the purpose
of consultation and co-operation.
In answer to this call, thus unobtrusively
made, and without concert or excitement of
any kind, I find you leaving your homes at
this busy season of the year, and at much
expense and inconvenience, assembled here
to-day to the number of near five hundred
delegates.
lhia must afford to every one tbe most
convincing proof of the earnestness and sincerity
of your purposes, and of the deep and
absorbing interest of the subject which brings
you together.
I am aware that some of our friends,
V-whose judgment I highly respect, are of
opinion that the action of this body should
be confined strictly and solely to the objects
and purposes prescribed in the Constitutions
of our Associations, and that we should care
fully abstain from the expression of any
opinions which might have a tend ncy to
forestall the action of the Constitutional
Convention which has been recently elected,
and into whose hands the safety of the State
has been committed. Whilst I am free to
confess that these views may have been urged
in the 6rst instance with much propriety
against the call of this Convention, still I
must be permitted to say that it is expecting
too much of a popular assembly like ibis,
under the circumstances which now surround
(IB IK/va/^ tklo ?? + !?
Wff, ly ?.! rnu Lina iiaiiim until WIUIUUl lUUUU'
ing those great questions which lie on either
side of it, and which now fill the hearts and
tninds of our whole people.
For one, therefore, I do not regret that
Qthe questions which are presented by the
Report and Resolutions now before us, have
been presented for our consideration.
I regard this as a family council, as a
meeting of friends, bound together by the
indissoluble ties of a common destiny, and
we should conduct our deliberations here,
and our discussions hereafter, with that fair
iiess, cauaor ana gooa temper, wnicu are
due alike to our own characters, and to the
interest of our State, for whose welfare I
know we all feel an equal and an ardent devotion.
In entering on the discussion of the questions
Before us, the first thing that strikes the
mind.is the almost entire unanimity of opinion
which pervades this body, and indeed
ilia wfinla &tain
lution of our present form Government.
I feel myself justified in saying that it 19 the
universal, deliberate, and well considered
judgment of the people of South Carolina,
that the Government under which we are
living, as now administered, is destructive of
their rights, property and safety; and that
having no hope of reform, they are under
the solemn obligations of duty to themselves
and totbeir children, to seek for security and
j>i$t?cti<m under some other form of Govjfrnmeot.
Am I wrong in this assertion, or
^IjsUte thejaropoaltions in terms that are
to^Sttrbugl If 1 am in error, then it would
MFidl&'ior me to sav another word, as this is
thejMptulate of alf the argument I expect
io'-fiK^ and if it be not true, I admit in adYraMthat
my conclusions will be false.
theusurpations of this Government?
^it^e^re^epfutjirafixHn its original purpose
.and deaign?if its hostility to our in
atitaiionfr?if its unjaat and unequal adminM^on?in
Hhoirt, if its utter un worthiness
questions, or questions for**re-conftideiatlon,
tbeit'I have nothing to say which is worth a
people of Sonth Carolina have not
made up their minds on these questions, or
if they desi re to reverse their judgment, then
l^Mjttexerciee the p ri vilege which unquestionably
belongs to them as freemen: judge
their judgment.
"ftnlay be nopleasant?nay, it m*y be
efeft^^piUating, to retract opinion* long
and publicly avowed; but it is better, far
??rwy,?nd to carry out doubtful opinions inH*
.??? MVtiAn Dnf T on)l TWAMiimo
for* HMtoftnt thaTkny such ?Ut? of feeling
e|^wbere^th^ ^re^i^?ny
W"-- * ?n?"iDKen
' -1*'' ^ ' v
?P? ''
IBwbhHH^'^%'vI
? ;?. . / "
Kentucky, and Virginia. When, therefore,
it is said that Sonth Carolina must never submit,
I understand all those who hold this
language, to mean that the State shall, within
a reasonable time, adopt some such practical,
efficient and decisive mode of resistance,
as will justify the use of all her rights
and resources, to relieve herself from the injuries
which have heretofore been inflicted
upon her.
Such is the seed we have sown. Are we
prepared to eat the fruit which it offers to
our lips?
Mr. President, this is not the commencemAnt
nf n nav i?Anfi?Awa?ow Wa im <Wa
wb mv?* w?*viv*vioj? ft w aig in uio
midst of our old and long-pending contest,
and our grouud has already been taken.'?
We must advance. We are advancing.
We cannot close our eyes to the past. What
has been done cannot be undone. The State,
under the guidance and direction of her constituted
authorities, has already taken the
initiative, and entered on important measures.
A Convention of the people has been
ordered and elected, and large supplies have
been demanded and are in the course of expenditure.
Although I have heard objections made
to the course of our Legislature on these
subjects, yet it has never been repudiated by
thgpeople. That most delicate power which
iniiuiui iO|>lwcuuul>tI OMIVinM WIUI a
sparing hand?the taxing poWer?was freely
exercised and as freely responded to by
an earnest and intelligent people, who well
und&Btood for what purposes their money
a! t-J i? !. _.i .1 e i.. t...
wua ueiunuueiu ii? io nun luwciura tw into,
I repeat, to retrace the past. What has
been done, has deliberately been done?and
deliberately confirmed. The people have
determined to put the State upon her sovereignty
in Convention assembled, and to
furnish her with the means of maintaining
and defending her final judgment. Into the
hands of that august tribunal, the honor,
the liberty, and the safety of the State have
been committed, and bv itedeeeaionnll must
be prepared to abide.
Such, then, are the undisguised sentiments
and purposes of the people of South Carolina,
and such the present attitude of the
State before the world.
Thus far have we advanced with almost
perfect unanimity. Thus far have events
been allowed to progress without scarcely
any organized opposition.
For the present position of the State then,
we are all responsible. No appeal has been
taken, and all are concluded by the past.
From this high position, therefore, and from
no other, we must now survey the whole
field before us, and decide what the future
demands of ub. which shall be in harmonv
and consistency with the present and the
past.
Shall the next act in the drama sustain
the unity of the preceding ones )
Id this deeply interesting conjecture of
our public affairs, we find ourselves assembled
this day, and for the first time our counsels
ara divided?divided too on the gravest
issue which can be presented for our consideration.
To me this division is a source of profound
regret. At the very threshold I find myself
called upon to differ from those with whom
*1 have been associated all my life, and whose
judgment and opinions I highly respect.
Foremost among these stands your senior
Senator, (Judge Bulter,) whose stern devotion
to the interest and honor of South-Carolina,
I have had recent occasion to witness
and admire. Yes, Mr. President,it has been
mv lnf /law rlor tn sfonn iinnn |1ia
*vvf v?Mj ? w aanuw. M|7VU WUO
floor of the Senate Chamber 'daring that
memorable contest, whose history is familiar
to you all, and to observe the conduct of
that Senator, when after the death of your,
great Statesman, he bad, single handed and
alone, to contend in your name for the cause
of "truth, justice, and the Constitution.**'
Few, Sir, at a distance from the scene erfto
fully understand and appreciate the cares,
the anxieties, the heavy responsibilities o>f a
situation like this, to one of bis prond spirit
and pure integrity. Well and noblyclid fie
discbarge his nigh trust, and richly has be
VMOMfA/) (TATIP OHfl ?T(fiurflAn Qn#
IIIUIIV^VI JVUI WUMWWUWV ?M?V? JLF U V
although it is painful to differ from one Lao
much honor and esteem, I must imitate his
example, and follow my own convictions of
duty. I am consoled too by the reflection,
that though we diverge at this point, we will
soon come together again, and that when
the State decides between us, we will:cordially
unite in carrying out her decision.
Our discussions thus far have brought us
to the consideration of two leading measures,
both professing to have the same end in
view. Befctfe entering on the consideration
of these meaaurea, allow me. to say, that I
understand ifc to be the general jadgment of
U}1? assembly that the Legulatura?:?HU next
regular session, should appoint a time for the
meeting of the comtitutional Convention
which was elected iti February last uadar it?
direction. No oBe that I am aware of, propose*
that the Legislature should decline
this office. A* the term of servioe of the
Monday in October, 1?&2,4 presume, as ?
matter of course, thai the meeting of the
Convention will be ^)(Ud'
tb^C<mention wfll be in teujo Borne time
m
2d. Having failed up to ibis time to obtain
any pledge of cooperation from the
government of any other State, shall South
Carolina secede alone I
The first measure, being that of my opponents,
I have carefully endeavored to state
with accuracy and precision: justice and
fair dealing demand this in every controversy.
In one like the present, I should despise
myself were I capable of doing otherwise.
It mav be unred that I havo nnt tha first
branch of the question in too strong terms?
"Sball South Carolina abandon her preparations,
for it may be said, she might
continue her preparations, even though she
determines to wait for co-operation. To
this I reply that it id vain?utterly vain?
to expect the people to submit to the present
extraordinary rate of taxation, if their money
is not wanted for immediate purposes.
IC, therefore, we decide to wait, we must certainly
''abandon our present preparations."
I will now proceed to examine this propo
sition with the attention due to its importance,
and the respect due to those who advocate
it* I admit, without hesitation, that
conjoint action on the part of two or more
States, if it could be procured, is preferable
to separate action on the part of any one
State.
But I distinctly declare it as my deliberate
judgment, that co-operation cannot be
obtained in the manner proposed, in our day
and generation. It is intended to adjourn
the issue to a distinct future?to bequeath it
to our children ? Surely not. Then we are
to do the work ourselves, and it is with this
understanding that I shall proceed to give
my reasons for the opinion I now so confidently
express on the subject of co-operation.
It is admitted on all sides, that at present
*i i
luciw ib uu uupe 01 co-operation oy any
State, on account of the past aggressions of
the Government, with the exroption of Mississippi
; and as her Convention is to meet
in November next, her position will be defined
previously to the meeting of our Con
vention. s?
The governments of *11 the other States
have thus far, under tbja issues yet made, declined
to adopt any erasures of resistance.
To the future, then, w# must look for events
to bring about co-operation. The Compromise
has failed to do So. If we wait then
for new issues to produce co-operation, do
we not agiee to submit "to the past, and to
abandon the issue of thd^Compromise as a
case for present resistance^ Will this not
involve ft nidn rlpnnrtnro filftm nnr r>oaf do
clarations ? Will it not be taking, not only
one, but many steps backwards! Candidly
aod sincerely I think so. But let this pass
?let the objection be gotten round. I do
not think it is met by saying?MWe^o not
submit to the Compromise; vre only bide
our time." Let us go on and see what the
future has in store for us.
It is argued that co-operation will certainly
be brought about by future aggressions;
that the anti-slavery party in Congress will
commit some open, flagrant, palpable violation
of the rights of the slave States; something,
I presume, of course, worse than has
already been done, which will unite these
States in a determination to withdraw from
the Union, and establish a Southern Confederacy.
I cannot concur in this view. To my
minat all tne probabilities are against us.
The aggressions, you observe, are to come
from Congress, from the Government. They
must be palpable, flagrant, invasions of your
righto, committed under the forms of law,
Is it meant that they roust be clearly unconstitutional^
and such as the Supreme Court
will so pronounce I But I will not hold our
'friends (o this admission. Let us say, in
general terms, that the measures will be of
suoh a character at according to all reasonable
presumptions, wjll unite the South in
withdrawing from the Union.
Let us now inquire what are the probabilities
tl)at such measures Will be adopted
by Congress in our day.
I On looking over the whole field of controversy,
in which we are at present engaged,
l can see no measures of tbe character referred
to, which Congress could adopt, except
(wo: the abolition of slavery in the District
of Colombia, and the repeal of the fagitive
slave law. These are theonly two measures
which stand ont prominently in the foreground.
J can think of no others. No
slave State is Applying for adramisskm?no j
territory remains for the application of the
Wilmot Proviso. No one, I presume, would
pretend:to say that any legislation on the
ol|| issues of the Tariff a Bank, or Internal
Improvements, would unite the South in
any measures of resistance to this Government
The aggressions referred to by our
friends,Ipref)TiKue,aretobe direct anti-slavery
measures.
then, if. either of the measures
I have named are likely to be adopted by
Congress.
First, as to the abolition of slavery in the
District of Columbia. In rny opinion this
roe?uro will not be adopted, or if it is, it will
to be made a test question. AH others are
to yield to it for the present. The Presidential
question is near at hand, and all that
is wanted now, is to keep the South quiet.
A peace must be patched up with her. She
must be let alone for a while, until her back
fit.t/vl In Mia hnrllmti u>kS?l< Imo !>?
?w VM? DCIVM l> IIIVU lino JUCJV
been placed upon iL She must be flattered,
nnd courted nnd cajoled. Liberal offers will
be made to induce her to join in the canvass.
High places will be promised her; in short,
she is wanted and must bo won. This is the
course things will take, and only let South
Carolina give up her purpose of secession?
let her say that she will not leave the Union
uritil she obtains co-operation through future
aggression, and resistance iti any form is at
an end. But 1 have intimated that this
measure might be adopted in a form which
will fail to produce the result which our
friends predict. Let me explain what I
mean.
If slavery is abolished in the District of
Columbia at the present day, it will be done
with the consent of the slaveholders there.
That species of property is bficoRjing daily
more insecure, and of course lesa valuable.
The facilities for abduction, the spread of
Abolition doctrines, and the presence of some
fi or 0 OOft fro# nprrCAOO a/VnSnnl Q />? A AAA I
? ? - ? j - vw ..V0?vwj agniuov V Ul IfVW
slaves, out of a total, population of 50,000,
all combine to render slave property there
of very little f^lue. When the alternative
is presented to the people of the District of
losing their slaves altogether, or selling out
even at a reduced price, it is plain which
(ViHfM tKoy will orlnpf^ TKa of tll0
slaveholder to sell will thus be easily obtained,
and then the right of Congress to purchase
will be the only remaining difficulty
to be overcome. Now, it must be remembered
that the general power of Cougress io
abolish slavery in the District of Columbia
is still an open question. Mr. Clay, and his
school of politicians, if I understand them,
admit the power, but say that its exercise
would be a breach of faith to Virginia and
Maryland whilst they remained slaveholding
States; and now, since the retrocession of
Alexandria to Virginia, this objection would
De narrowed down, I presume, to a breach
of faith to Maryland alone. If slavery,
therefore, should be abolished in the District
of Columbia with the consent of the slaveholders,
the question then comes up: Will
the South unite in dissolving the Union, because
Congress has done, what, in the judgment
of the greatest party leader of the day,
and his numerous followers, is only a breach
of faith to Maryland f Will Maryland herself,
with 73,000 free negroes to 89,000
slaves within her bordere (for such is the astounding
fact disclosed by the last census)
be the first to raise the banner of Disunion ?
Will Georgia do so? Before Iier Convention
met, 1 would have answered this question,
without an instant's hesitation, in the
affirmative. But the action of that Convention
has afforded ground for very grave and
pjrigijuj doubts on this question.
Previously to the meeting of that body it
had br'Ame the uniform, invariable mode of
expresfliOTr^ryJtiia subject by all the Southern
States to'^ifcjf Congress should abolish
slavery in the^ffratfct of Columbia, then,
<fec. This was the swireotyped formula of
words?plain, distinciT'iSptd, unequivocal? '
which had entered into the vocabulary of the
whole South in layiog down th^^pUtforra
of resistance. But the Georgia CoirtwnUon
deliberately, and upon consideration, ,
doned the nse of these plain terms, which '
could give rise to no dispute as to their true
intent and meaning, ana adopted this mode
of expression: " That the State of Georgia,
in the judgment of this Convention, will and
ought to resist, even (as a last resort) to a
disruption of every tie which binds her to
the Union, any action of Congress upon the
subject of slavery in the District of Columbia
or in places subject to the jurisdiction of
Congress, incompatible with the safety, the
domestic tranquility, the rights, and the honor
of the elavebolding States," Ac.
Now, I ask, what does this change of
phraseology mean f It must mean something,
or why adopt it in preference to the
other, which bad become as familiar as housebold
words to the whole South. Was it intended
to leave a door open for a new issue
on this question f M To abolwh slavery" is
a simple idea easily understood. uAoy action
nf (Innomtu nn that aihSant lnnnmnsti.
ble With the safety, the domestic tranquility,
the rights, and the honor ofthe slaveholding
States," is a very complex proposition,
apd gives rise at once to doubt and oonstruotion.
This Action on the part of Georgia
justifies, I repeat, very grave doubts as to
the course she would pursue if slavery should
be abolished in the- Diitriot tit Columbia
with the co&sent df tbe slaveholders, or in
any other way which it wight be argued
was not" incosopatibte with the right*, honor,
safety and tranquility of the South.*
Let it never be forgotten mat Virginia,
in 184? and '48, made the abolition of the
lave trade in the Diatriet ofCdlurabia, a
measure which .ahe wouldt*wt at "every
hazard and to the Ia*t extremity." Bnt, in
1849,'alie abandoned thia ground, and felt
back upon- the aWlitioo df the alave trade
between the Statea at-. her "eatieua belli,"
When asking how thiaxbaBge of position
some way which will prevent united resistance
on the part of the South.
The next measure to which I have referred,
is Hie repeal of the fugitive slave act.
It is a matter of infinite surprise to me how
any close observer of our political Affairs can
for a moment suppose that this law will be
repealed by the next Congress, or for many
years to come. This is the only measure of
the Compromise whose re]>eal is threatened.
Some of those measures are, in fact, irrefjealnblo
by Congress; they need no further
lelp from their friends, but can now take
care of themselves. But'.he issue of repeal
is distinctly made on the fugitive slave law,
and though the efforts of the Abolitionists
may be bold, open, and vigorous, they cannot
carry a majority of both Houses of Congress
and the President. The Administration
and all the advocates of the Compromise
have determined to keep this law upon
the Statute Book. That is the is*ue. Its
execution js anotfier thing. We nil know it
is practically repealed already. All laws may
sometimes require extraordinary means to
enforce them, but a law which always requires
such means for its enforcement is not
worth the parchment it is written on. This
is a truth which sooner or later will force itself
upon the popular mind, and hence the
deep anxiety and embarrassment of the Administration
and the advocates of the Compromise
in relation to this law. They know
in their hearts and consciences, that this law
is not what every law ought to be, the instruments
of cheap and speedy justice; and
hence they seek to cover up this glaring fact,
and to create a diversion upon the issue of
its mere formal repeal by Congress; and upon
this issue, I tell you, they will succeed,
let Giddings rave, or Seward plot, or Sumner
talk heroics as he may.
A 1*1 1 T 1 a < ?
miuuugii i nave a moat per reel conviction
that this law will not be repealed, I have
at the same time a very strong conviction
that it may be modified to Buit Northern
prejudices. I do not mean to say that this
is certain. I desire to state my positions
with exactness and without the least exaggeration.
The advocates of the Compromise declared
from the day of its adoption that they
would oppose the a repeal," or "any essential
modification" of the Fugitive Slave Law. i
Mark you, any essential modification. Now
there are several features of that law which
its supporters are ready to modify, for the
- - . r. . " V - I
purpose or increasing tlieir strongtn ai toe
North, if they could venture to do so; and
they would say they were not essential modifications.
For instance, they would be will
ling to modify tbat provision which allows
the record made up at home, of the facts of
escape, and that the fugitive was the slave1
of the claimant, to be used in evidence with
out further proof, except as to identity, <kc.
This would be a aop to Cerberus. As to
the trial by jury, I presume Mr. Webster
himself would be willing to engraft that provision
on the law, for it was a provision in
the bill which he himself introduced before
leaving the Senate.
Repeal, therefore, I regard as out of the
question. Modification or amendment mav
be attempted, but very cautiously.
The abolition of slavery in the District of
Columbia, and the repeal of the fugitive
slave law, then, are the only overt acts of
aggression which, in my judgment, can be
committed by Congress against the South at
.this time. I feel the most abiding confi- ,
clone?.tb^t neither will" be done in our day.
Our ad v|tmm?*s .trill take care that the measure
of agpressionAS>i|^. bp just .so much as
will stop short of uniungpYii^South. Your
patienoe shall be their guage. The advollian
.J!..... I
vmww? vi w-v|A>mvivi? vuvi? union nujvui u UID
Siestion of Disunion to another day. If
e past, or any issue which' may be made
upon the past, cannot unite the South, then
the future of our day will afford no measure
for resistance..
My solemn belief therefore, w. that " cooperation"
is submission to the Compromise.
Submission to the past with no hope for the
future. Now, in using the term "submission^
I do not mean to apply it in any offensive
sense whatever, to our friends who
differ from us on this occasion. Far from it
I know they are men who would spurn the
idea of voluntary submission, with all the
worn una indignation ot unsullied patriotism.
I apeak to them as I would have tberp
speak to die, with sincerity and respect. 1
muat be allowed, therefore, to say to tliem,
yourposition drifts y?a with the inevitable
certainty of the GulftMwian^.-to subtnission.
You will take your place by the side oftftpse
whose course you sorouohcondeiBn. You
wilt ratify the Compromi?e. The voice of
South Carolina wtU be hushed. She cannot
go buck to feed upon the husks of high
souodipg resolutions, protests and jfomftnatrancea,
In two years she will sink down
into the attitude of utter non-resistance; no
hnniftn nnirar /tan mmM IMi mult - WW
> ot^re i>6 UJerU^ in W would
be derid?d. vSb? baa gone ao far that ahe
rauat now; "Be a law UBto herself^ Bui it
feel bound, to consider maturely a measure
which has such distinguished supporters before
I reject it, I have done so, and I must
declare in all sincerity that if South Carolw
na abandons all purpose of acting alone, and
determines patiently and passively to wait,
(as pho must if ahe waits at all) the develop
inents of the future iu the expectation of
such hostile legislation on the part of the
General Government as will unite the South
in the overthrow of this Union, she will sacrifice
tho great cause which all her sons, with
but few exceptions, profess to be nearest to
their hearts, and givo a death blow to disun:
v.. t - t ? ?i ***
iuu. ics, 1 repent?i^ei ooum *Jnroiina lay
down her arms, lot her say slie will not secede,
and a shout of triumph, (shall 1 sny of
derision) will go up over all the land, for we
have enemies every where, nnd the advocates
of the Compromise will underwrite the
Union for the next generation. These may
be unpalatable truths, but they must be told.
I come now to the consideration of the
second proposition which I have supposed
will be submitted to our Convcution when
it assembles.
Having failed up to this time to obtain any
pledge of co-operation from the Government
of any other State, shall South Carolina
secede alone ? I approach the discussion
of this question with a profound sense
of ito magnitude nnd importance. I never
expected to be called upon to give my coun'
sul ou any question under a sense of higher
responsibility. I have never entertained or
expressed but one opinion on the character
of this men*ur?, p.* mv vith
whom I have frequently and publicly conferred,
can testify. I have told them that
secession was a measure which would demand
the exercise of all their wisdom and
all their firmness. The overthrow of any
Government, and the establishment of another,
is no holiday affair. It is no cardhouBe
we desire to construct, which can Ajfi
reared by the, hand and destroj-ed by the
of an iuiaiit* No! It is a stern
work which lies before us, and if we seek
for new guards for our future security, we
must expect to obtain them &t the hazard of
many sacrifices.
The questions in regard to secession which
appears to me will demand the carcful consideration
of the Convention, are
First. lias the Staie a right to secede?
.Second. Is she justified in the exercise of
this right at this time?
The first question is one which I presume
the Convention will have very little difficulty
in deciding, as it may be considered a settled
question in the judgment of the Southern
States at this time, though 1 am aware
it is seriously denied by some within their
limits, and perhaps if not brought to judgment
at the present day, will in a few years
become mucn controverted if not ultimately
repudiated. Resolutions affirming this right
were laid on the table in one or both branch
es of the North Carolina Legislature at their
Inst session. I am not fully informed of the
circumstances under which this was done,
but I point to it as a fact which deserves attention.
But, whilst the abstract right of secession
is not denied by some, vet they contend that
it is a right whose exercise "good faith"
must always practically prevent. Now, 1 admit
the obligations of "good ti?ithn in evei^"
relation of life, public and private, on States
as well as on individual*. But, let us see
bow " good faith" will always nullify this
right and render it of no practical utility.?
We owe good faith to our co States and to
foreign nations, with whom we have, through
our AMIlt llio flanaul li?C4?nm?nf octAk
lished certain, relation*. Now,r* to our coStates,
as the very predicate of secession is,
that they have violated the league and covenant
which bound us together, that they
have first broken faith with us, surely our
faith is no longer due to them. Good faith
requires every party to a compact to submit
to.many things, to bear and forbear much,
but when tfre very end and purpose of the
compact are violated,?when it is used as a
"sword to destroy/' and not as a "shield to
defend,"?then surely, "good faith" should
not prevent any party from withdrawing
from his associates, on fair and honorable
terms. So much, for our oo-States. But
t__? .lis. it '.rll:'. iaLl.m .
woiiv are our yuiignwyna 01 ~^ooa iuuhi to
foreign nations, with whom we have made
treaties, and from whose tttiaena we &*? '
made loans, dee. f They, it is urged, are no
:p?ariifc?toour domestic differences, and "good
faith require* that we should either preserve
our co-partnership untilibese engsjpnjenta
performance if a dwojulioo takes place.?
To this I reply; that if a dissolution occurs
peaceably, and an equitable partition of the
partnership property is made, the rights of
Mgo
ler oeyona iDpMuaznras, wuion, it? always
understood^ are undertaken iu >11 iohsruatibn
*i* +? .St." * |*Y *^
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