10 cibly having possessed themselves of forts and arsenals, dockyards, mints, and other property of the United States Government, they now call upon that government to- treat with them for the surrender of other such property within their limits; threatening by force to take possession of the Capital of the nation, built by the common resources of that nation, at an expense of $150,000,000, and to prevent the inauguration of a President constitutionally elected; and yet we are called upon to sit silently by, not to whisper a word or lisp a protest, else some one may be offended. For months, and even years, has this feeling been gaining ground, and preparations have been carried forward for this dissolution movement. A military spirit has been cultivated—arms have been secured—organizations, secret and open, entered into, to train and discipline forces for the coming contest, and yet if one now suggest the idea or propriety of making some little preparation for contingencies which may arise, we are told “Hands off! take care! you will needlessly excite the sensitiveness of our southern brethern;” and immediately, with horror expressed in every tone, the cry of “ Coercion!” is rung in our ears. You have no right to coerce a State. But then has a State the right to coerce the General Government? What less? What different are, and have been, States attempting? With force of arms surrounding and seizng upon forts and arsenals within their limits, and with greater force and more extensive preparation investing other positions not yet reduced, they demand their unconditional surrender. War is, and has been for weeks, actually begun upon the part of these States, although prosecuted thus far without bloodshed; they, by force of numbers, overcoming and carrying one position after another, and yet we are called upon to legislate carefully not to disturb their equanimity. South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, withdraw from the Union, siezingupon, and taking with them, whatever of public property they can secure. Florida, purchased with the money of the whole country, hesitates not to follow in their wake, appropriating herself to herself and to a Southern Confederacy; Louisiana, in like manner, obtained with millions of money, that thereby the mouths of the Mississippi might be secured to the country free and untrammeled, coolly takes herself away ; and now Texas, having thrown upon the country the burden of her debts and of an expensive war, follows in their train. Each State, as she goes, appropriating to herself hundreds of thousands, yea, millions of the property of the General Government; and yet we are told that government cannot coerce—has no right to make war upon a State.
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