ARGUMENTS ON SECESSION IN OUTLINE.
In the platform of secession there was barely one plank on which all
parties could stand in agreement, and we give it in the following
words, to wit:
"_Resolved_, That the rights of the South are seriously threatened, and
in imminent danger of actual invasion by the North."
This was the solemn affirmation of the whole South. But on the
question, What shall be done, what measures adopted, what course
pursued, to make the most and the best out of the situation? the people
were not a little divided. We will recite a few of the arguments in
outline used by the different factions.
The original secessionist argued from the Constitution itself, that the
States out of which the Union was formed were independent sovereignties
antecedent to the Union, and all State elements and powers were
reserved to the sovereignties that were not _expressly_ surrendered to
the General Government; that the Constitution was the instrument and
servant of the Union, and was not intended to reflect its power back
upon the reserved rights of the States. That the Constitution did not
_forbid_ secession in express terms, _ergo_, the right of secession
was _negatively implied_ by the Constitution; that its silence on the
subject was, and could be, no bar to the right; that it could not take
notice of the subject at all, as it is not in the nature of such an
instrument _per se_ to anticipate its own repeal or dissolution.
The suggestion to "wait for an overt act," was answered by saying that
the Union was like a business copartnership for certain purposes, and
when one member of the firm declares his purpose to swindle the other
whenever opportunity serves, it is the privilege, the right, the duty,
of the partner thus placed in jeopardy not to wait for the "overt
act" of swindling to transpire, but to forestall and prevent it by
breaking up the compact at once; that the Union was substantially such
a copartnership, or compact, for purposes of mutual aid, and for mutual
protection against foreign invasion.
This sort of argument appeared plausible, and generally had the
effect to silence dissenting parties. The reply to it was considered
insufficient, that, though the Republican party had succeeded in
placing Mr. Lincoln in the presidential chair, yet he could do nothing
inimical to the rights of the South. His oath of office would deter
him, even if personally inclined to damage the South, and though he
had said in his series of discussions with Stephen A. Douglas, in
Illinois--"This government and country can not remain half free and
half slave." No, secession, unconditional, immediate, bore down all
opposition, and Texas with her ship of state and canvass spread, her
sails flying, and the "Lone Star" floating at top-mast, and all on
board except a few stanch Union men, stood out for the deep sea of
secession and rebellion. She foundered, and with the Confederate armada
of States went to the bottom; and now the Union wreckers are trying to
fish her up, and back into place again.