Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-02-16

III
ceaus report, and .1fr. SmitA's onse~ds,enf
Der Is, 1926. '''' A>e'e"''
W. N'Aon said, rise. Mr.. Chairman, deeply
"a.ssed with the splemnity of the oath we hav e
~ "Hen, 70 =" preserve. protect and defend. the
constitution OF tine United States" The subiec,
certainly, one Of vast importance TO this State.
SUI 20 nus country. Win the committee bear
WIN me while lend my feeble efforts. to explor.
It's principles, and to expose i,s d,nys.s S,,,,',
De tsdious'-.atirib4,e il. If you please, to the
Importance OF the subject. Should i b. Over
@eaious' attribute It to zeal for the (.oo.,,,,io.
a"a s'osy o. my country. am stimulated NOT
AMe present occasion, by party views. I am
Ts not. oy partiality or prejudice 10 persons.
tria. my motto. ''o' A'' r"-
Mr.. N said, the fact was obvious. thu, ,h. ,,,.
cipies OF the report Of the special committee were
a'ro Jeae'4*; they inculcated q doctrine of mas
:Ne ooca'enee' WHICH was humilia,ing 10 hi, feel
'nss ~ man, and as citizen. And this r-nor,- "a
reoie'ed a. the last session Of the legislature.
A-H oeen published by northern editors. M The
''..s.;, " uh's house. We are therefore. i'm
~, IAiea upon, to enter oui solemn pro-
vs.. 1ssHns 81. doctrines, at which. Americans should
'taiue' were they advanced by omen enemies
ne government, we should know how TO meet
-"u .oniouad them; but when they come from
a'owed friends OF the Constitu,ion--rnen vbo
~ouiu delight to make free will OFFERING of their
ne','S al It's altar, we are constrained 70 admire
hi 'e we contend. And it is this circumstance,
makes Them dreadful lit is this, which
makes their doctrines more ba,.f,, d. ,s. IN.
anu could the Constitution SNEAK. n. I,n..a,
snouid oei Save me from my Gieuds.'' Anil
W." remark, once for all that i,npusn moi
vac aio'i'es OF tho authors OF that reoort: ,h.v
are ABOVE suspicion; believe them to be .en,le.
,he - '.er" poi'ucai and moral integrity; but at
a' 'Ih'e Time, wish it to he distinctly understood
,h a. elr doctrines are 30 revolving to my creed
preafhedby (" pne from the dead "'e
b1t' the gentleman from Edsefield bas told ~.
na' we ought not TO discuss the subjects embr.ced
~ 'hs report, because no 90 practical u,iiitv "a,
% produced by it, admit, that no,h;ng ~.
can no. on this occasion, will have the legal force
VI an act OF legislation; but do believe. that a
.i,oi"' 'hhuehce may DO exerted by eus expression
ou' oPih'oh, which will bear with il, ali the eff
ncacy' II NOT all the terror of law. In truth his
neF4o!ic Is dependent for its existence On on;,;on
nu'i VIII demonstrate that :! prac,c.I u,il,y"
may oe produced. Ii 10 familiar 10 US all. that
QUO oFench Oh Congress is dependent for its exis
e"se' diFectiy On the people; and the other branch
dependent airee,Iy on State Legislat,,res. In
4ee"' one OF the fundamental principles OF our
49, the responsibility of all public func
u &c 10 the peoples :her immediate ay.n,.
II then, by this discussion we proy. ,h., -.
u'nes we oppose are unfriendIy 10 State R;gbfs
and ,ehd 10 consoliGated government, il il NOT
certain that the people, and the STATE lie.
Ss''af"res, respectively, will for the fn,urs
GhooSe those osly to serve them, who Will, sn.r5
he'f and vindicate their privieges9 Should
We on the contrary. not produce conyiction. ON,
Ae'iohs may stui have the effect To excite spi
;a., ena,y among our fellow Citizens, on sub
.c' OF vial iPportsnce to the Republic. Ar Al,
events, whether successful or not, we will coovs
~ 'ofei0ie terms the fac,, that States have right
70 SPEAK, and to be heard: and Let those who DEM
IT, tremble At, their responsibility.
pe are told by the report, that State has .s NO
re''' 10 originate procedure OF this kind for the
OF evils Is it not extraordinary TO asser,
'"a' o,a'e Is denied privilege which NAV be
exercised by one ofits humblest citizens3 TT Nh.
general government invade the rights of IN. -.
est eo''ager OF the land, and he NAV ne,ition
uno demonstrate; but 1t is said, when the Riohf,
Oh ofdses are aasailed, they must not murm,,r
Even when we were in the letters Of colonial vas
salage, we could speak our complaint. 10 IN.
British Throne. and they were heard and yndic.,ed
oy burkes and Chathaps. The panders of some
OF the most oppressive despotssns of the earth,
Hn)oy the privilege, and yet, it is said TO be deni
ed 10 The free and enlightened States of this Repub-
nc The assertion is so preposterous, that 1 am
disposed 10 doubt the sincerity OF those who make
u. Por, regard the right we are about To eyer,
cise' as one oil the unalienable rights of State soy
@eiShty; and we, 40 the sentines of the psople
should always be ready TO sound tho alarm.
MIR. n. said, the diversity of opinion which pre-
sas on toe SUBJECTS under consideration, resolves
itself, at last, into struggle for power between
the General and State governments And il il mo,
contest OF yesterday. 1t has agitated this coun-
try, more or less, from the foundation of the gov
eminent TO the present hour. Two par,ie, have
always existed, ard, perhaps, always will exist in
Tbs country. The one, contends for great power
In the general government resulting from iibe
raj construction Of the Constitution. The other
contends Tor State Rights, and for that eonstruc.
ton OF the Constitution, which Is f" necessary and
proper" for carrying delegated powers into effeet.
Our history affords several instances of q spirit
Characteristic OF the former. II made its appear
anee during the administration Of Washington. in
the discussion OF the national Bank, and the Irea-
~ making power, during the administration of
adams, in the .diien and Sedifion laws, and gave
rseto what was at that time denominaied the reign
81 terror; II made its appearance during the adj
minisirston of Jefferson in the construction of the
Chn6ertond road; during the administration of
Madison, in the recharering Of the old Bank, and
the attempt to set apart, and pledge its bonus, as
fund Tor Internal Improvement; during the admin
Isfaion OF Monroe, in the discussion Of the resou-
ton OF special committee, relating to canals
roads, and seminsries of learning; ALSO during the
same administration, IN the discussion of the Cum.
berland road, the Missouri question, the Tariff and
the sutjects alluded 70 10 the message Of the late
Governor, which has given rise to The report and
amendments to which yPpr serious attention is now
invited.
As the subjects upSer consideration, depend upon
correct knowledge oil the powers OF the GesersI
end State governments, aud, a. the genueman
from Bdge6eId has asserted, with grea, emphasis,
that " it is only necessary TO refer 10 the origin
and organization Of the government to be satisfied