Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 38.djvu/314

300 States beyond all power of withdrawal, it would never have been ratified. The States of New York and Virginia, possibly others, inserted in their resolutions of ratification a declaration that the powers vested by the Constitution in the United States of America might be resumed by them when they should deem it necessary to prevent injury or oppression.

Early in the nineteenth century the doctrine of secession, characterized as treason and rebellion in 1861, was openly advocated in Massachusetts. The famous letter of Colonel Pickering, a member of Washington's Cabinet, written in July, 1804, shows that he believed that the doctrine of secession had the approval of New England, as well as New York and New Jersey.

In 1811 the admission of the State of Louisiana was violently opposed in Congress. During the debate Mr. Quincy, of Massachusetts, said: "If this bill passes it is my deliberate opinion that it is virtually a dissolution of the Union; that it will free the States from their moral obligations, and, as it will be the right of all, so it will be the duty of some definitely to prepare for a separation, amicably if they can, violently if they must."

He was called to order. The point of order was sustained by the Speaker of the House. From this decision an appeal was taken and the Speaker was overruled.

Here was an open contention of the right of secession by a Massachusetts representative and a decision by the House that it was a lawful matter for discussion.

The proceedings of the Hartford Convention of 1814 are familiar to these school children here. I need not recite their famous resolution.

The New England States, in 1844, threatened a dissolution of the Union. In that year the Legislature of Massachusetts adopted this resolution: "The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, faithful to the compact between the people of the United States according to the plain meaning and intent in which it was understood by them, is sincerely anxious for its preservation; but that it is determined, as it doubts not that the other States are, to submit to undelegated powers in no body of men on earth." It further declared that the project of the annexation of Texas, unless arrested on the threshold, may tend to drive these to a dissolution of the Union.