Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-05-16
iourths Of the most valuable staples for export, OF


our whole country.
To say that we sec the approach of these evils
and that seeing them we do not feel acutely,
would he something worse than the atfecia,ion of
moderation. Sir, it has produced among peo-
pie not only feeling OF deep aud settled discon-
tent, but belief of the total disregard of every
thing like justice IN a majority acting under either
delu,ed views iriuriously selfish motives
Our discomfort has not broken out in violation OF
the public peace in combinations TO obstruct the
execution OF the laws, or in the organization of
conventions, with the cunning of working by dou-
bic tides the double purposes Of ambition and av-
arice. No, our people have met pcaceably and
constitutionai'y, tope;it:cn you in firm, yet res
pectful language, TO stay your injurious hand
Although aisrcgaded, your table groans with the
weigh, Of their rcincns frances DO not, however,
mistake lingering hope that you will yet be just,
arcsPcctiui patience for your decision, for an i'll
sensibity To their interest or their wrongs,
Sir. l am incapable of holding out threat TO
this House. | would not do il. from policy, even
II were no. restrained by the higher consdera-
lions OF sei-rcspect, and belief that l should
stand rcbuked by the publ sentiment OF my own
countrymen, who themselves too brave not TO
,icspise the poor stratagcms Of sheer buily ing
There Is, however, surely no lack OF a proper eau
ton, that OH my public and private responsibility
sIa say to you, that it is the clearly scertained
authentic sense Of public opinion" in South ca
roina, that from an irresistible physical and moral
destiny. we consider you coercing US to in
qulrc, whether we Gun afford TO belong 10 Il con-
tcderacy in which severe restrictions, tending To
an ultimate prohibition of foreign commerce, Is its
Established policy! That, whatever may be
religious venera,ion for this Union, you are COM
polling US To ask ourselves, when you strike at
bread, TO which we owe the highest obligation, the
law OF God, the law OF nature, the law OF nccessi
fy TO that OF artificial and political association.
We tell you, that we love this Union; that we have
sacrificed not little TO it, aud that nothing but
your Injustice ana unkindnesS can drive Us out of
II; that we will bear, and have borne for its honor
and security, more than share OF its burdens;
a nee
which was violated by the mother country, we
were the hrst to send our sympathy and TO pledge
our lives and fortunes, in the quarrel OF that then
Norman colony, where the cradle OF the revolution
was first rocked; that iii our second contest Tor
ven years the whole industry of our State was
palsied by war, and restrictions worse than war,
in which we had not even u remote local concern
w e could bear all this, because our tribute was
paid to the real honor and solid independence of
the country, not to cupitity wearing the mask OF
patriotism!
The gentleman from Maine, (NIr. Sprague.) in
Justly and philosophically dcscanting the
stiveness of free people when wronged by OPP
pressivc taxation told you that tax oil three pence
on Tea, produced that mighty revolution, By whose
success we have now right to be here. But
tire gentleman seemed to shun heirresstible i in
separable moral Of his own illustration. will adopt
H. Yes, Sir, L will adopt it;-because l wish TO
Commit treason against this constitution? No, Sir,
because it furnishes lesson of soberness s. truth
1t is right that the arrogance of power should
MORALS OF humility, which ii Is the business CT
history to teach. To be supposed to be weak ana
TO be the object of injustice, are too often one
and the same thing; and i have doubt, that
many sagacious and patriotic stockholders, in some
one OF the vast corporations which are to be pam
pered with larger profits by the nourshment Of
this bill, console themselves i'll the belief that
presumed weakness supplies ample indemnity
Tor your oppression. Lord Suffolk, one of the
most msultin:, and arrogant OF the prosecutors oil
the colonies during our revolution, said in his
place, that &c he would not deign to inquire where
Congress OF Migrants We're TO he found;" but
1t has been well said, ne was very glad soon after
TO despatch secretary out OF his office to
tihd these Migrants, without knowing where his
own generals were 10 be discovered, who were sent
out 10 subdue them.
Is this treason, Sir: l hope not. / 60 not de-
signit as even a bare threat. The only lesson /
mean to enforce is, that there is sometimes ia
tai delusion in specializing too much on the weak
ness OF those whom we intend to Cypress. Is il,
moreover, treason, Sir, to tell you that there is
condition Of public feeling throug the southern
part OF this coniederacy, which no prudent man
will treat with contempt, and no man who loves
his country, will not desire TO allayed? And
have you TO be told, g that there critical mo-
ents in the fortune of all States when they vino are
100 weak, perhaps, to contribute TO your PROSPERITY,
are strong enough to complete your Tuin!' God
forbid, Sir, that my language should be mistaken.
neither wish to indulge in dsaiectioL ia
suting defiance; but should consider myself as
-treachcrous to every obligation which owe, both
TO you and TO those whom i represent if at
tempted TO diguise the united sentiment which
animates, with the pulsation OF one bosom, State
second TO none in this Union, for her elevated ma
tibnai feeling and devoted patriotism.
Let me, Sir, before conclude, say one word TO
tho political tnds with whom | proud to be
associated in generous and Jealous alliance on a.
hother question of great, and only inferior inpor-
lance TO the one before l regret, deeply re-
gret, the excitement under which they are acting
Stimulated into mistaken, but honest zeal, for in
rerests that only require to be let aome to thrive
by the deep designs of opposing party, they
seem to have been hurried OH in a sort of rival
reer with their opponents, OF not who should equally
adjust the relative interests and wants Of coun
Try, but who should feed highest the fever and
paroxysms of popular delusion. | have met with
but one melancholy parallel to this: which is to be
found in the history of one of the most disgracefu
acts which stain the statute books of Great BIi
tain. allu6e, Sir, TO the law passed during the
reign OF King William, against the Catholics. 1t
was known TO the tories that this illustrious mo-
march was the friend of religious liberation, and
that part of the very army with which lie had
subdued the last and most infamous OF the Suarts,
was composed Of Catholics. The Tories therefore
introduced this bill for the purpose OF compelling
the King, as it has been truly said, either TO viO
late his principles oil liberation, incLr the odum
OF protecting papists They therefore made il as
oppressive and as offensive as possible that it might
he defeated. The then Court party seeing this,
returned the bill filed with still greater absurdi-
ties and rigors. :" And thus, Gas one whom we
may well call the most phosopiic of historians,
informs us) this act, loaded with the double in
justice Of two parties, neither of whom intended
10 pass what they hoped the other would be per-
suaded TO reject, went through the Legislature