Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1827-02-10

wu-to his Interpretation OF the laws of the United
States. Sir, If such an exercise OF power may
find the color Of justification. under existing laws.
does il not become us, as the guardians of the
rights Of the States, by come clear and pkc act
of legislation, to take from such exercise OF
prerogative, the shadow of pretence? I submit,
then, to the Senator from Missouri, and to this
House, the question, whether this Message, thus
involving inquiry materially affecting the rights
Of the States and of the Union. and the powers and
the duties Of the President of the u. S.. ought to
be referred to any of the ordinary Standing Com
mitees Of this House. And believing, as do,
that a committee specially constituted Tor the pur-
pose Of this inquiry, will most effeciualy accom-
| plish the objects which every one should desire TO
attain: the entertainment Of truth the adminis'ra
ton ofjustice- the preservation of the consti
tutional rights OF the States and of the Union:
move that the Message of the President Of the U.
States and the accompanying documents, be refer
red 10 a Select Committee.
Mr.. Holmes said that it seemed that part of the
Message, in reality, belonged to the Judiciary
Committee; that another part belonged to the
Committee on Iadian Aff.irs; and that another
portion fairly belonged to the Military Committee.
There was another portion of this Message, which
illustr ated opinion which Mr.. II. had long
tertained. He had, for long time, considered,
tina, there deficiency in the Staining Com
miltees, and that ano her ought to be added to
those which already existed in the Senate: A
Committee TO decide upon all questions between
the States and the United Sta es, would he thought,
| be valuable addition; and il would very proper
| ~ receive the name ofthe Committee of the States.
He would only say ,ha, he sorry any collision
should take place between the Federal Government
and any of the State Governments; and question
OF such nature ought rather to be referred to a
| Select than Standing Committee.
Mr.. Johnson of Kentucky, said, that he should
not be in favor of referring the message to select
committee. 1, ought TO go 10 astanding commit
tee not appointed Tor the purpose eft considering
the subject, but originated before this matter had
been asitated. On subject of the nature of this.
feel ne wouli necessarily he excited; and he
| therefore hoped the reference would be made 10
some committee not likely to partake of any ex,
element that might be felt in this instance. He
:, had hoped that this question had been finally
settled aud dismissed al the last session; nor did
he expect TO have II again Brought up this ses.
sion. No man was a more thorough friend of the
rights OF the States than himself, would go
further to preserve them from any encroachment
on the part of the Federal Government, when their
Governments conducted themselves with a due
regard 10 the other portions of the Confederacy. -
lie did not, however, approve of casting such fire.
brands this into tie Councils OF the Nation
nor did he wish. 10y making such matter of more
importance than il could Justly claim, TO increase a
sensation which ought rather, if possible, be al
layed. The Message ought 10 go the Committee
on Indian Affairs, whose ability TO decide upon il
could not be questioned They would report, and
BROUGHT before the Senate in its proper light IF
the United Safes Government were wrong or
ii the Government OF Georgia were wrong; the
Sens'e could clearly understand it, and the proper
means for rectifyng the difference could then be
pointed out. There had been instances OF inter
ference on the part OF the Federal powers upon
the States, which called for redress; zen the
represented by him had been much oppre ssed; their
laws had been nullifiel by system Of Judicial
procedure unwarran,ed and unprecedented. But
never had any collision between the FEEDER al and
State authorities appeared in so appalling or so
dangerous light as, first view il did in this
Gaze. III he thoroughly understood the Message
here collision of the military force Of the United
States with that oil Georgia was threatened, and
The hand OF one citizen to be raised against
| another in deadly strife.
| This was state of things 10 be dreaded, and at
almos, every risk to be avoided He would give
up dearly as he held the rights of the States. al.
most any point, before he would consent 10
array Tie United STATES against the Individual
States 1t was from such conflict of powers
that the Union was hereafter, if ever to be dis
solved lie therefore repeated what he hal said
before, that the subject should be referred to COM
mittee not organized for the purpose-not supuos
| ing, however, that aay committee would NOT deal
justly upon'ii; but regarding the probability that
eehns would be excited, and strongly DESTROYS
'hat u should he weighed with caimness and deli
oera'ion He dill not fear that any great DANCE,
would arise out OF this mater-it was one of those
| summer clouds which sometimes overcast the
orightest day; such had ikenej our prospects
| formerly, aud had been dspelled and so il womb
be, he trusted, III this instance. What he pr;nci
Paliy feared, was, the moral effect which such
disssr eement would have upon the country. and
| IN the view Of the world. Farther than this. he
thought there could be fear: for il was no, IN no
supposed that collision Of a serious nature couIJ
take piare between the General Government and a
| o'ae sovereignty, on account OF a strip of land
hardly worth legislation; which, if found ,vi,bin
the limits of Georgia, would be readily and GIRL
purchased with the national treasure, and trans
fened to Georgia.
| Mr.. Harrison moved to Law the MESSAGE IN M.
able, and 10 print it; but withdrew his ,oo,;n, =,
| the request of
MIR. Berrien, who said: If did not believe Mr.
President, that the observations of The Senate,
from kentucky would receive an INTERPRETATIONS
beyond that which he would himself give 10 them
| 4 wouu MOI respass on your time, by the yery
bret reply which am about 10 make. reIv
with entire confidence, the assurance which he
has gwen TO the Senate, that il was not b;x in
ten'ion, IN Tins stage oil this inquiry, to express
| any OPINION on The merits OF the controversy be-
tween the State OF Georgia and the United S,,tes
and The equally explicit declaration, that be AZ;
not design TO censure the conduct of that Stat. l.;
reference 10 this subject but, as HI. remarks seem
to me TO be susceptible of such an Interrogation
and az such a ceDsare would be alike unraIIsd r.,
and unjust, ieel myself bound by every conside-
triton OF duly, to yindicate the State which bay.
the honor 10 represent on this floor.
Dir, u this measure is calculated TO distu,b the
| harmony OF our councils il the moral ee.,
OF the agitation Of such question be one. vvbinh
every patriot should depIore-. if. in the I.n
guage of the Senator from Kentucky, it is fire.