"
* * * * *
"Our form of government, Mr. North," said I, "is the very best on earth
if it goes well, and the worst if it goes ill. We have no standing army
to fight for an administration as for a throne or dynasty; so that if a
State secedes, the question is how to coerce that people, if it be best
to attempt it. Citizens do not like to march against their brethren.
Think of our taking up arms against our correspondents; against people
that have gone from our churches and settled in that State; against
cousins, and brothers-in-law, and people who lived or did business under
the same roofs with us."
"It is awkward, indeed," said Mr. North, "especially if they simply
withdraw and hold the fortifications of the general government, in their
own territory, to keep the government from destroying their lives."
"Why, yes," said Mrs. North, "it would be simple in them, after
seceding, to suffer themselves to be bombarded. But have they any right
to secede?"
"As to that," said Mr. North, "my mind has been much exercised of late
with this thought: I have always advocated the right of the negroes to
make insurrection, or to flee from oppression.
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