THE SECESSION MOVEMENT: The Policy of the Administration again Discussed by the Cabinet; Editorial-The Fugitive Slave Compromise and its Opponents (11/22/1860)

New York Times archives - Times Machine ^ | 11/22/1860

[Homer_J_Simpson]

WASHINGTON, Wednesday, Nov. 21. The policy of the Administration, in the event of secession, was again discussed in the Cabinet yesterday, but the want of harmony in the opinions of those present precluded any result being arrived at. It is thought that the Administration will not favor a Convention of the Southern States. It is feared that questions as yet not agitated would arise for discussion, and overshadow those involved at the beginning. It is believed, however, that the Northern States will promptly repeal their obnoxious legislation, nullifying the Fugitive Slave act, and will meet the Southern delegates in Congress ready to acquiesce in proposing such amendments to the Federal Constitution as will give a satisfactory guarantee to Slave property South of some fixed geographical line. This is believed to be the only solution of the difficulties. It is understood that the Virginia Legislature will call a State Convention. Judge TRUMBULL's declaration last evening, on behalf of Mr. LINCOLN, has given great satisfaction here, and may have the effect of allaying in some degree the Southern feeling until Congress can act. It is understood that South Carolina will endeavor to precipitate the issue as soon as her Convention assembles. Q. BALTIMORE, Wednesday, Nov. 21. The Presidents and Cashiers of all the Baltimore Banks assembled at the Cashier's Room of the Union Bank, to-night, and unanimously agreed to suspend specie payments to-morrow morning. Considerable specie was withdrawn to-day, in small sums, in anticipation of suspension. This measure relieves the merchants, all of whom have thus far escaped failure.

[jmacusa]

And today we’d 39;d be Bosnia on the North American Continent were we ever had such a thing as you propose. We have survived our worst nature in the past fighting each other and becoming torn apart in 1861 in the bloodiest and and most dire moment in Americas history and today, by the grace of God we are still The United States Of America. I’m more concerned with America in the here and now, not with 1861. If , God forbid that senile, dementia addled grifter and China sock puppet is put in The White House that the point on the compass any true American patriot won’t matter a damn. We will ALL have to unite and somehow resist what will surely be an all out assault by the Left sand ‘’The Squad’’ to force us into socialism.

[BroJoeK]

the OlLine Rebel on whether secession was treason: "No, it wasn’t.
Secession wasn’t in question.
Whether it was wise or nice was."

Nonsense -- President Madison moved troops to put down rebellion in New England, if necessary.
Rebellion & treason are the same thing -- see the US Constitution Article 3, Section 3.

"...Jeffersonians described the [Hartford] convention as "a synonym for disloyalty and treason", and it became a major factor in the sharp decline of the Federalist Party.[46]"

the OlLine Rebel: "And no qualms about secession within a state when it came to parting out West Virginia during the CW.
But now we’re told that’s not “allowed”."

More nonsense -- lots of states have changed boundaries or split off from others, Maine comes to mind splitting off from Massachusetts in 1819.
The key fact about all such changes, including West Virginia, is that they were done by mutual consent of all the parties -- the old state, the new state and the US Congress.
Did you ever hear that term, "mutual consent"?
So long as everybody agrees & follows Constitutional procedures, we can do what we want.