Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1828-12-10

when on our republican Sion, not one stone
would be left upon another that should not oe
thrown down."
Compelled thus TO renounce the scheme Of
Convention of Southern States, you called
merely a conventicle Of your state delegation.
To the propriety of this measure there can be
no just objection, but certainly you held con-
verse upon subjects Of most extraordinary
and alarming character. No proposition was
made touching the separation OF the states
But it is agreed that conversation" upon this
topic was INDUCED, with feelings of"great e1-
element" Mr.. Hamilton admits il to have been
stated by some one, "that a perseverance in the
tariff policy, or prohibi:ory system, must lead
10 dissolution of the Union'' And On Col.
Dray,on's remark that "ihis was an evil great
1y to be deprecated" ga long and ardent con-
versation on the resources Of the state to sus-
tain herself" took place. The power OF the
Federal Government TO force obedience to the
laws was treated with derision. Sncers were
INDUCED towards the manufacturing interests
Of the states which are regarded as pa'ronizing
the "infernal Tariff" case is imagined IN
which an army is 10 be recruited from theiI
I" Power LOOMS" and resisted by the people Of
Virginia and North Carolina, who are styled,
by way Of contradistinctinn, "Natural Allies"
And if the Allies perchance should not obstruct
the passage Of the power loom army. the high
contracting party-,he state OF South Carolina
herself would take the affair on her own Shout
ders, and the eye Of chivalry is RECALLED with
the glorious vision Of Eutaw and the Cowpens,
re ,enacted with considerable impro, ements"
That is, we must presume, by cutting up the
people, mot their natural allies though they
fought by their side the battles Of the last hall
century; and furnished the commanders who
saved their sta,e) in better style and to more
effec,ual purpose than they bu,chered Tarle-
tons Dragons. Ii is gratifying TO hear the
gentleman who utters these opinions decay that
these remarks we're intended 20 urge the ne
cessity" or even TO "counenance the propriety"
of separation of the states. Yet with all tie
credi, claimed for intention, il would be diff
cult (but for his assurance 10 reconcile II with
his other sentiments. "UGlsss (says hey the
South makes up its issue ,cah The General Govern
naent by some such strong act, l. viii continue,
without any limitation, TO be nsulted aid OPP,
pressed" Here again We had the propose al to
consider the South as one party and th Gene
raj Government as another; and 10 bring th,m
into direct opposition, upon an issue made up
by "strong act" This act, il is sugg, s,ed,
should he secession Of the Members ct Con
gress ard surrender OF their commissions Cor
one equally s,rong.l In this event he General
Government would be at Washing on-l he
1" South" would be a! home" A position sure
!y savoring strong of separation Where then
should they meet TO try the issue? Must 1t be
at Cowpens or Eutaw9 Shall these laurellcd
fe DIS b. devoted TO The caruagc Of civil war by
the poseity Of those who won Them? The
tremendous issue must be tried somewhere;
admitting Messrs. Hamilton and McDuffie ale
RICH, in their belief that "a dissolution of the
Union is inevitable il the prohibtory system
be the settled policy" That system, (though
not with the same ramihcauons) has beer the
settled policy Of the nation from the first ses
sion OF the FIRST Congress to this day. And
without change Of sentiment in erea' ma
jority Of the people, it will, however modified,
continue TO BIZ thu policy. |, was agreed by
you that your endea ors 10 "allay" the excir-
ment Of your people should be postponed until
the termination Of the Presidential question"
But IL the speeches made by some Of YOU al
public meetings are held 20 be cnpsis eDt with
such agreement, il is difficult 10 imagine whai
species OF impassioned ravings is in reserve,
now that this question is al rest
Indeed, gentlemen, you Cannot adduce an IN
stance Of any assemblage Of men in official STA
ton, or Of distinguished character in the East
ern States, at which Conversations so preg
nan, with disaffcction and defiance were enter
| tanned. Yet he excavations Of the country
have been Invoked by your friends and probably
by yourselves, upon their proceedings, and they
have been held up as objects Of Intolerance anG
prescription 10 this hour. You might per-
haps reply tina, the discon,enls G! The East were
promulgated in times ofimpending public dan.
ger aud actual war. But they were times OF
real sufftring'and runous exac,ion. And it
| remains TO be shown that the groans and com
- IL ..al
of war, and uttered in The hope Of acceleralng
the restoration Of peace, are fer me mere rea>
son that they must 5e overheard BY the enemy,
less entitled TO indulgence than the menace Of
disunion and hostile alliances among the states,
in mere anticipation of grievances which may
never be realized. BY the restrictive system
and consequent war. the resources of the East
ern States for subsistence were nearly e1tin-
guished. Under the American System, an en-
haucement Of price in certain articles of your
consumption, (an6 even ,ha, predetermined aud