Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-11-15

OF this COnfederacy. We, therefore,, have,
right to call for m affirmative decision Of three
fourths Of the States in Convention, as the
only arbitrat0rs we can possibly recognize as
having competent power TO decide upon the
question, whether the Tariff be constitutions
or not, in the form in which the Sovereign
State Of South Carolina submits the issue. II
three -fourths OF the States should determine
this question in the affirmative, without a
compromise, or any stipulation for security IN
future, it will be as competent then, as il was
in 'S7, for South Carolina, resting on her SOW
reignty, to determine whether she can or can
not belong TO a Confederacy, IN which the
prohibi,ory system is sancii6ed by the very
Constitution Of the Union. But Of the issue
Of this high arbitration l entertain no doubt:
1t must result in fixing and purifying the prin-
ciples Of the Constitution, and rendering per-
petual the Liberties and happiness Of this Peo-
pie. But will our opponents make this appeal
when they are so fully in possession Of the easy
and compendious remedies Of gunpowder and
steel! Gentlemen, on a doubtful construction
Of the Constitution Of the United States, IN u
case where a State stands upon its sovereignty
| say, that, from moral and political causes Of
irresistible efficacy, the General Government,
strong in its legitimate functions, is power;ess
for the purposes Of op2ression-it cannot nor
would not exercise any means OF sanguin-
airy coertion; if il could, then have we assent
ed TO a most odious despotism, f%erOcious IN
its character, and unlimited 10 Its powers. II
is true, that a majority in Congress, blinded by
prejudice, and in(uristed by passion. might
deem an appeal to aims as the last, the only
and most appropriate mods, Of enforcing al
odious and tyranical law. Force is the last
law of iyrants. But we have nothing to fear
from their troops. Their levies would be as
harmless as the mercenaries Of the Italian
Republics; marching under the banners OF
monopoly. they would be defeated even be-
fore they qui, their rendezvous, by The public
scorn and indignation. But are we to count
as nothing the sympathy Of those with whom,
on principle at least, we are in alliance! VIII
Virginia, chivaIrous. hlgh-spirised us she is,
passively and quietly stand by, and SEQ us I'M
molated, for no other crime than a devotion to
her faith, not by a worship Of mere lip service,
but by a dedication Of our life blood to her
principles' If she will, then is she tit for u
slaves portion Let her put out all the lights
that have blazod upon her affairs. Let her
from the escutcbeon OF her glory the
OF her Washington, her Jefferson, her
Madison, her Henry, her Mason, and her
Gsayson, and prepare 10 lay down herself IN
base aad contented servitude. | will continue
this speculation no further (; for it looks as II
we were seeking out. in a miserable spirit OF
timidity, for resources among others, without
relying upon our own, which are to be found
in the enthusiasm Of a holy cause, and in the
spirit of our own people. l know we'll that
when the first drop OF blood Is shed, # tins
Union were made of adamant, IT will be dis
solved. But | snow that this first drop will
not be shed by us, although our veins may be
TO afford the lbatiOn. We will put
our aggressors, as We have done from the
commencement Of this contest, in each sue
cessive step, perpetually in the wrong. II vlo-
lence, if bloodshcd ensues, 1t will be- OF their
In such u sad conjuncture, we shall
stand upon the defensive, resting upon our
right, and without fear appealing 10 our God,
and the compact of our Confedeiacy. If the
Union is dissolved, theirs will be the odium OF
this lamentable Disruption. But let us not be
cast down. : the Union will be preserved, and,
if we are true TO ourselves, this gross iniract-
ion of our Charter will be redrossed, and the
Constitution itself come out OF the contest
with renovated purity and vigor, and our ell
forts be consecrateG by the blessings Of the
posteriiy. In this struggle between
Mamnlon and Freedom, we snail have the
pravcfs Of the good, the aspirations OF the en-
lightcned and free, IN every q%uartes OF the
globe, offered up for our saccess. The primer
pies of free trade are the principles OF human
liberty. Next to the right of worsn'ppIns our
God according to the dictates OF our con-
is the privilege OF directing the labor
of our hands with Unrestricted freedom, to an
industry OF our own choice. This right, no
less sacred than the liberty Of the press. was,
we believe, sanctitied AS well as secured by
he observation-disclosures we know that, to
.nb ananra a irca trade with tho
whole world, was u leading lnduccmen; to tue
of the Union itself.
Lie, US remember, too, TINS question brings
il all the higi, sanctions aud obligations
belonged to the mighty one our Fathers
lgitatcd with the greatest Power on earth. IL
S the identical proposition, M spite OF the IN
,ultng sophis,fy of that man, who ,Day well
call an argument absurd" which convicts
,Dn, not only Of tyranny and injustice, but OF
having done more TO SOW the seeds OF disseh-
and disunIon among this once nni'ed ana
Happy people, than any other individual, even
,hould that individual share with him the mia
nous distinction Of ma wing imprecatcd upon tie
county the curses " vi war, pestIlence aud la
Yes, It is taxation, virtually" with
,ut representation as well as TAXATION in vio-
alton Of the Constitution. Has onc single
'ote in this entire section of the South, from
he Potomac To the Alabama, been gwen IN
avor of a taxation, whose uncompensa'ed bur,
hen falls exclusively upon thIs very section !
$ not tho tribute exacied altogether by the
'oies Of tho Representatives OF those VINO
hare the booty ; Wat h mockcry aud insult
n, TO tell us that We arc taxed by The an-
hori,y Of representation, when the very cha
acter and responsibility OF representation Is
outraged IN the enormous ,njus''ce OF the foul
oppression its lc /
Gentlemen. have well considered what !
said. The ia ct that the shout oi treason
will be raised against me, Tor tue homes, cf
ire ssion Of these opmions, by those who iltmh
submission L., n violation of the Constitution, |
|. tbs hal ,n..n. ,,r cur,nu lis ,ulraytlous, car. |