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THE

GOVERNOR OF

KENTUCKY'S VIEWS.

37

the country, and see if some measure cannot be taken, which will restore harmony to the Union and protect the rights and equality of the States from fanaticism and radicalism."

Governor Moore, of Louisiana, yielding to the pressure of the State, issued his call, (November 19th,) for the Convention of the Legislature, December 10th.

Aabama Governor's

Views.

Governor Moore, of Alabama, in answer to inquiries of leading citizens of the State in regard to his views, answered by an elaborate paper, under date of November 14th, taking the ground that secession was not only a right-but a necessity. He took the position that the President had no power, under the Constitution, to coerce a state, saying:-" If a State withdraws from the Union, the Federal Government has no power, under the Constitution, to use the military force against her, for there is no law to enforce the submission of a sovereign State, nor would such a withdrawal be either an insurrection or an invasion." This view of the want of power in the Executive to coerce a State, we may add, was that quite generally entertained at the South, and it is certain the precipitate Secessionists regarded that fact as one so important, that their wish was to get out of the Union before Mr. Lincoln came into power, not knowing to what extent he might resort to force against them. Mr. Buchanan, it was felt and understood, would not attempt coercion, let the result be what it might.

Governor Moore's address added:"We should remember that Alabama must act and decide the great question of resistance or submission for herself. No other State has the right or the power to decide it for her. She may, and should, consult with other Slaveholding States to secure concert of action, but still she must decide the question for herself, and co-operate afterward.

The Governor of Ken tucky's Views.

be governed by a party who entertain the most
deadly hostility toward them and their institution of
Slavery. They are loyal and true to the Union, but
will never consent to remain degraded and dis-
honored members of it."
Governor Magoffin, of Ken-
tucky, in an address to his
people, took a position ad-
verse to the secession movement. His words
were strong in condemning the unconstitu-
tionality of the Personal Liberty acts, and
those other acts which had done injury to
the South. He regarded Slavery as neces-
sary to the prosperity of the North. He said,
among other things:

"To South Carolina, and such other States as may wish to secede from the Union, I would say: The geography of this country will not admit of a division; the mouth and sources of the Mississippi

River cannot be separated without the horrors of civil war. We cannot sustain you in this movement merely on account of the election of Lincoln. Do not precipitate us, by premature action, into a revolution or civil war, the consequences of which will be most frightful to all of us. It may yet be avoided. There is still hope, faint though it be. Kentucky is a border State, and has suffered more than all of you. She claims that, standing upon the same sound platform, you will sympathize with her, and stand by her, and not desert her in her exposed, that her voice, and the voice of reason, and moderaperilous, border position. She has a right to claim tion, and patriotism, shall be heard and heeded by you. If you secede, your Representatives will go out of Congress, and leave us at the mercy of a Black Republican Government. Mr. Lincoln will have no check. He can appoint his Cabinet and have it confirmed. The Congress will then be Republican, and he will be able to pass such laws as he may suggest. The Supreme Court will be powerless to protect us. We implore you to stand by us, and by our friends in the Free States, and let us all, the bold, the true, and just men in the Free and the Slave States, with a united front stand by each other, by our principles, by our rights, our equality, our honor, and by the Union under the Constitution. I believe this is the only way to save it, and we can do it."

"The contemplated Convention will not be the place for the timid or the rash. It should be composed of men of wisdom and experience-men who have the capacity to determine what the honor of the State The Arkansas Legislature met Nov. 13th, and the security of her people demand; and patriot- but Governor Conway did not, in his message, ism and moral courage sufficient to carry out the dic-refer to the National troubles. His silence was variously construed, but it was understood that the people of the State were op

tates of their honest judgments.

“What will the intelligent and patriotic people of
Alabama do in the impending crisis? Judging of the
future by the past, I believe they will prove them-posed to disunion.
selves equal to the present, or any future emergency,

On the 14th of November, Mr. Alexander

and never will consent to affiliate with, or submit to H. Stephens, afterwards Vice-President of the

REDE

Whereas, The present crisis in national affairs, in the judgment of this General Assembly, demands resistance; and

Whereas, It is the privilege of the people to determine the mode, measure, and time of such resistance: therefore,

The General Assembly enacts that the Governor issue his proclamation, ordering the election on the 2d of January.

Its powers were defined in the fourth section of the bill, which read:-"Said Convention, when assembled, may consider all grievances impairing or affecting the equality of rights of the people of Georgia as members of the United States, and determine the mode, measure, and time of redress."

Mississippi Legislature Convened.

The Governor of Mississippi called the Legislature of that State to meet on the 26th of November. His proclamation read:

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Whereas, The people of the Non-Slaveholding States have in various forms, declared purposes hostile to the institutions of the Slaveholding States, and the State Governments of nearly all the Northern States have evinced a settled purpose to evade their constitutional obligations, and disregard their oaths in carrying on this war on the rights and institutions of Southern States; and "Whereas, The recent election of Messrs. Lincoln and Hamlin demonstrates that those who neither reverence the Constitution, obey the laws, nor regard their oaths, have now the power to elect to the highest offices in the Confederacy men who sympathize with them in all their mad zeal to destroy the peace, property and prosperity of the Southern section, and who will use the powers of the Federal Government to defeat all the purposes for which it was formed; and

"Whereas, The dearest rights of the people depend for protection, under our Constitution, on the fidelity to their oaths of those who administer the Govern

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-m are known to be in ional candidates as Pres the United States, ri believed (by a large pr =) to be in direct hostin hts and interests, and i t excitement prevails a ence requires that there le of this Commonwealt tion the condition of pub calmly and wisely, wit emergency, therefore.. by virtue of the authority re the Senators and Dee f the General Assembly of vene at the Capitol, in the day, the 7th day of Janer Lock, M., to legislate po deem necessary and p ed by an announcement ichmond, to the effect efficiently arm 25.00 urther stated that she bronze and rifled field "A contract has been and shrapnells, in addased with the Parrott barrels of Dupont po ed and stored in magy rpose. The model of a is determined on. Oth ns are also in progress." g to the Governor's call h the Legislature would

THE

GOVERNOR OF KENTUCKY'S VIEWS.

the country, and see if some measure cannot be
taken, which will restore harmony to the Union and
protect the rights and equality of the States from
fanaticism and radicalism."

Governor Moore, of Louisiana, yielding to
the pressure of the State, issued his call,
(November 19th,) for the Convention of the
Legislature, December 10th.

eet, the crisis will be suff ubt, to demand some action a. She will then find, very tion for her to debate is ripe. ach changed the appearance from the South leave little e Union will long remain ossibility of preserving it, et es which may secede to rejoin long postpone deliberation h either is to be done. There estion for Virginia, and that be avoided, and the Seceding ced to return, what course is It is probable that Governat proposition to the last Legis of the States, under the fifth state of

Alabama Governor's

Views.

Governor Moore, of Ala-
bama, in answer to inqui-
ries of leading citizens of
the State in regard to his views, answered by
an elaborate paper, under date of November
14th, taking the ground that secession was
not only a right-but a necessity. He took
the position that the President had no power,
under the Constitution, to coerce a state, say-
ing:-"If a State withdraws from the Union,
the Federal Government has no power, under
the Constitution, to use the military force
against her, for there is no law to enforce the
submission of a sovereign State, nor would
such a withdrawal be either an insurrection
or an invasion." This view of the want of
power in the Executive to coerce a State, we
may add, was that quite generally entertained
at the South, and it is certain the precipitate
Secessionists regarded that fact as one so im-
portant, that their wish was to get out of the
Union before Mr. Lincoln came into power,
not knowing to what extent he might resort
to force against them. Mr. Buchanan, it was
felt and understood, would not attempt coer-
cion, let the result be what it might.

Governor Moore's address added:-
"We should remember that Alabama must act and
decide the great question of resistance or submission
for herself. No other State has the right or the
power to decide it for her. She may, and should,
consult with other Slaveholding States to secure
concert of action, but still she must decide the ques-
tion for herself, and co-operate afterward.

"The contemplated Convention will not be the place
for the timid or the rash. It should be composed of
men of wisdom and experience-men who have the
capacity to determine what the honor of the State
and the security of her people demand; and patriot-
ism and moral courage sufficient to carry out the dic-
tates of their honest judgments.

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To South Carolina, and such

may wish to secede from the Unic The geography of this country will division; the mouth and sources of

It ma

River cannot be separated without civil war. We cannot sustain you in merely on account of the election not precipitate us, by premature act lution or civil war, the consequence be most frightful to all of us. ed. There is still hope, faint thoug tucky is a border State, and has suf all of you. She claims that, standing sound platform, you will sympathiz stand by her, and not desert her i that her voice, and the voice of reas perilous, border position. She has a tion, and patriotism, shall be heard you. If you secede, your Represen out of Congress, and leave us at the m Republican Government. Mr. Linco check. He can appoint his Cabinet firmed. The Congress will then be he will be able to pass such laws as The Supreme Court will be powerles We implore you to stand by us, and in the Free States, and let us all, a and just men in the Free and the Sla united front stand by each other, by by our rights, our equality, our hon Union under the Constitution. I beli only way to save it, and we can do it

The Arkansas Legislature me but Governor Conway did not, in refer to the National troubles. was variously construed, but it stood that the people of the St

"What will the intelligent and patriotic people of
Alabama do in the impending crisis? Judging of the
future by the past, I believe they will prove them-posed to disunion.

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On the 14th

Southern Confederacy, made a speech at Millidgeville, Georgia, declaring against secession because of Mr. Lincoln's election, but approving the call for a Convention to act, saying that his fortune should be cast with that of Georgia. He plead in eloquent terms the cause of the Union, and thought Georgia safer and more prosperous in than out of it. Mr. Toombs, who was present, frequently interrupted Mr. Stephens to show his own disunion sentiments. As the members of the

THE MOBILE DECLARATION OF CAUSES. The Presidential election has resulted in the triumph of sectionalism over the supporters of law, order and the Constitution.

Anti-Slavery fanaticism has lifted to the Chief Magistracy a man pledged to carry on a relentless war of aggression upon the rights and equality of fifteen States of the Union.

In the pause after the battle, and before the enemy takes possession of the Government, it behooves us to consider what our safety demands, to look the danger in the face, and in the spirit of men who,

Georgia Legislature were present, the speech knowing their rights, dare to maintain them at any

and all hazards.

The gravity of the occasion admonishes us neither to magnify nor under-estimate the hazard of our po

The question is, can the honor, dignity, and equality of the Southern States, and the rights of their citizens, be preserved by remaining in the Union?

Are we not constrained to choose between a dis

graceful submission, and a separation from those who persistently and defiantly violate the covenants of our fathers?

The following brief but truthful history of the

Black Republican party, its acts and purposes, af

fords an answer to these questions:

It claims to abolish Slavery in the districts, forts, arsenals, dockyards, and other places ceded to the United States. To abolish the inter-State Slavetrade, and thus cut off the Northern Slave States from their profits of production, and the Southern of their resources of supply of labor.

was heralded at the North as evidence of a
still unspoken sympathy for the Union; but,
it proved to be only the final struggle of the
loyal heart. Mr. Toombs addressed the peo-sition.
ple for secession on the following evening
with great effect. The Legislature of Georgia
followed with its Convention bill, which, in
itself, was almost a declaration of secession.
Mr. Stephens himself soon gave way before
the changing current, and we find him, in the
speech quoted from, [See pages 30, 31] de-
claring against the Union in terms calculated
to excite a doubt if the same person could
have made both speeches. We advert to the
discrepancy to show how strong must have
been the influences which could have in-
duced such changes of conviction in such
wise and honest men. Up to this time, sin-
gular as it may seem, no "bill of particulars"
had been laid before the public, specifying
the individual wrongs which the South had
to urge in justification of its belligerent atti-
tude towards the North and the Union. In
most documents thus far issued, the "wrongs
of the South" were expressed in generalities,
and we therefore find the Northern people
and press asking What are all those
wrongs?" The first explicit answer made
was by the Declaration of Causes, and the
preamble and resolutions adopted, by the
great secession meeting in Mobile on the
evening of November 15th. This admirably
compesod document served as a model for
others which followed, anticipating, as it did,
by more than a month, the South Carolina
"Declaration," which it much exceeded in
force and fitness for the crisis. Its historic,
as well as its political, interest demands its
reproduction entire:

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It claims to forbid all equality and competition of settlement in the common Territories, by the citizens

of Slave States.

It repels all further admission of new Slave States. It has nullified the Slave act in the majority of the Free States.

It has denied the extradition of murderers, and marauders, and other felons.

It has concealed and shielded the murderer of masters or owners in pursuit of fugitive slaves.

It has refused to prevent or punish by State authority the spoiliation of slave property; but, on the contrary, it has made it a criminal offense in the citizens of several States to obey the laws of the Union for the protection of slave property.

It has advocated negro equality, and made it the

ground of positive legislation hostile to the Southern

States.

It opposes protection to slave property on the high seas, and has justified piracy itself in the case of the Creole.

It has kept in, our midst emissaries of incendiarişm

THE MOBILE

DECLARATION

OF

CAUSES.

39

to corrupt our slaves and induce them to run off, or incite them to rebellion and insurrection.

It has run off millions of slave property, by a system of what are called "underground railroads," and has made its tenure so precarious in the border Slave States as nearly to have abolitionized two of them-Maryland and Missouri; and it is making similar inroads constantly upon Virginia and Kentucky.

Its candidate elect to the Chief Magistracy has proclaimed that "the Government cannot endure half slave and half free"-that there is an "irrepressible conflict between opposing and enduring forces-that the United States must and will, sooner or later, become a slaveholding nation, or entirely a free-labor nation."

Thus it is seen that their declared policy is a settled and determined hostility to the social fabric of It is incessantly scattering firebrands of incendiary the Southern States, a policy at war with the theoappeals in our midst.

It has extended fanaticism into our own borders. It has invaded a Territory by arms furnished by Emigrant Aid Societies, under State patronage, and by funds furnished by foreign enemies, in Canada and Great Britain.

ry of our Government and the design of its framersregardless of the Compromises of the Federal Constitution, ignoring the rights of property, and destructive of the harmony of our Federal system, and the equality of the States.

The success, therefore, of that party in the late

It has invaded Virginia and shed the blood of her election is an open and official avowal by a popular citizens on her own soil.

It has published its plan for the abolition of Slavery everywhere. To rescue slaves at all hazards, form associations to establish presses, to use the vote and ballot, to raise money and military equipments, to form and discipline armed companies, to appeal to non-slaveholders and detach them from slaveholders in Slave States, to communicate with the slaves, to encourage Anti-Slavery emigrants to the South and West, to seize other property of siaveholders to compensate for the cost of running off their slaves, to force emancipation by all means, especially by limiting, harassing, and frowning upon Slavery in every mode and form, and finally by the Executive, by Congress, by the postal service, and in every way to agitate without ceasing until the Southern States shall be abandoned to their fate, and, worn down, shall be compelled to surrender and emancipate their slaves.

majority of the non-Slaveholding States that there' will be no pause in their aggressive warfare, until the full success of their fell purposes.

The time, therefore, has come for ug "to put our house in order," and, if need be, to stand by our

arms.

We will not give the enemy time to collect his strength and wield the powers of Government against us, by waiting for any further "overt act." Therefore, be it

Resolved, 1. That the election of Abraham Lincoln to the Presidency upon the principles avowed by the Black Republican party, is, in our opinion, a virtual overthrow of the Constitution and of the equal right of the States.

2. That the idea of submission by the South to the rule of such a man and such a party should be repudiated from one end of her borders to the other.

3. That in the language of the Constitution of Ala

It has repudiated the decisions of the Supreme bama, under which she was admitted into the Union, Court.

It assails us from the pulpit, the press, the school room. It divides all sects and religions, as well as parties. It denounces slaveholders as degraded by the lowest immoralities, insults them in every form, and holds them up to the scorn of mankind.

It has already a majority of the States under its domination; has infected the Federal as well as the State Judiciary; will, ere long, have a majority of the House of Representatives of the Congress of the United States; will soon have, by the new census, a majority of the Senate; and before it obtains the Senate, certainly will obtain the Chief Executive power

of the United States.

It has announced its purpose of total abolition in the States and everywhere, as well as in the Territories, and districts, and other places ceded.

"All political power is inherent in the people, and all free governments are founded on their authority, and intended for their benefit; and, therefore, they have at all times an inalienable and indefeasible right to alter, reform, or abolish their form of government in such manner as they may think expedient."

4. That, in the present state of things, it is the de liberate opinion of this meeting, assembled without distinction of parties, that the State of Alabama should withdraw from the Federal Union without any further delay than may be necessary to obtain in the speediest manner a consultation with other Slaveholding States, in the hope of securing their coope ration in a movement which we deem essential to our safety.

This document shows some "master hand" in its preparation. The list of specifications It has proclaimed an "irresistible conflict" of was truly formidable enough to answer the higher law with the Federal Constitution itself!

query,

"What are your wrongs?"

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