the discussion of the Compromises of 1850,—­at the Kansas Question,—­the Union was menaced; and always in the name of State Rights.  The menace was constant, and it sometimes showed itself on small as well as great occasions, but always in the name of State Rights.  When it was supposed that Fremont was about to be chosen President, the menace became louder, and mingling with it was the hoarse mutter of war; and all this audacity was in the name of State Rights.

But in the autumn of 1860, on the election of Mr. Lincoln, the case became much worse.  Scarcely was the result of this election known by telegraph before the country was startled by other intelligence, to the effect that certain States at the South were about to put in execution the long-pending threat of Secession, of course in the name of State Rights.  First came South Carolina, which, by an ordinance adopted in a State convention, undertook to repeal the original act by which the Constitution was adopted in this State, and to declare that the State had ceased to be one of the States of the Union.  At the same time a Declaration of Independence was put forth by this State, which proceeded to organize itself as an independent community.  This example was followed successively by other States, which, by formal acts of Secession, undertook to dissolve their relations with the Union, always, be it understood, in the name of State Rights.  A new Confederation was formed by these States, with a new Constitution, and Jefferson Davis at its head; and the same oaths of loyalty by which the local functionaries of all these States had been bound to the Union were now transferred to this new Confederation,—­of course, in utter violation of the Constitution of the United States, but always in the name of State Rights.  The ordinances of Secession were next maintained by war, which, beginning with the assault upon Fort Sumter, convulsed the whole country, till, at last, all the States of the new Confederation are in open rebellion, which the Government of the United States is now exerting its energies, mustering its forces, and taxing its people to suppress.  The original claim, in the name of State Rights, has swollen to all the proportions of an unparalleled war, which, in the name of State Rights, now menaces the national life.

But the pretensions in the name of State Rights are not all told.  While the ordinances of Secession were maturing, and before they were yet consummated, Mr. Buchanan, who was then President, declined to interfere, on the ground that what had been done was done by States, and that it was contrary to the theory of our government “to coerce a State.”  Thus was the pretension of State Rights made the apology for imbecility.  Had this President then interfered promptly and loyally, it cannot be doubted that this whole intolerable crime might have been trampled out forever.  And now, when it is proposed that Congress