Secession in 1814 (1861)

Secession in 1814
Source: Pacific Commercial Advertiser. July 18, 1861. Fifth page, column 1. 

That most and able conservative of papers, the National Intelligencer, in defending itself against the attacks of the rabid Southern press, has disinterred the almost forgotten files of the Richmond Enquirer, and exposes to the light of day the following distinct exposition of Southern views of Secession as it was held on the 1st of November, 1814. The extract, with part of the Intelligencer's comments, is as follows:

"THE UNION IS IN DANGER.- Turn to the Convention of Hartford, and learn to tremble at the madness of its authors. How far will such madness advance? Though they may conceal from you the project of disunion, though a few of them may have concealed it from themselves, yet who will pretend to set bounds to the rage of disaffection? One false step after another may lead them to resistance to the laws, to a treasonable neutrality, to a war against the Government of the United States. In truth, the first act of resistance to the law is treason to the United States. Are you ready for this state of things? Will you support the men who would plunge you into this ruin?

"No man, no association of men, no State or set of States, has a right to withdraw itself from this Union, of its own accord. The same power which knit us together can only unknit. The same formality which forged the links of the Union is necessary to dissolve it. The majority of States which form the Union must consent to the withdrawal of any one branch of it. Until that consent has been obtained, any attempt to dissolve the Union, or obstruct the efficiency of its constitutional laws, is treason-treason to all intents and purposes. Any other doctrine, such that which has been lately held forth by the Federal Republican, that any one State may withdraw itself from the Union, is an abominable heresy, which strips its author of every possible pretension to the name or character of a Federalist.

"We call, therefore, upon the Government of the Union to exert its energies when the season shall demand it, and seize the first traitor who shall spring out of the hot-bed of the Convention of Hartford. This illustrious Union, which has been cemented by the blood of our forefathers, the pride of America, and the wonder of the world, mist not be tamely sacrificed to the heated brains or the aspiring hearts of a few malcontents. The Union must be saved when any one shall dare to assail it.

"Countrymen of the East! we call upon you to keep a vigilant eye upon those wretched men who would plunge us into civil war and inevitable disgrace. Whatever may be the temporary calamities which may assail us, let us swear upon the altar of our country to save the Union."

Circumstances [says the Intelligencer, commenting on the above extract from the Enquirer] may change, but principles are eternal. If the declaration that "no state or set of States has a right to withdraw itself from the Union of its own accord," was good Southern doctrine in 1814, and if "any other doctrine, such as that any one State may withdraw itself from the Union," was "an abominable heresy" at that date, how has it come to pass we find ourselves denounced for holding to the faith of the Madisonian Republicans? Who has changed?