Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-12-09

ssS'u'e, u.at TIE states Tor which Alr. A. woliJ
have us believe the counter, npg tariffs impo
ed, are the most vehement IN opposition 10 IT,
VIZ. ia Q lumber, the grain states, &c.--and that
the tariff Is TO prevent our {" shippers" from dis
mantlirg their ships" when in TACT it il he very
thing which msles them do it--snd they are o.
tnong Its most decided opponcnts--What moekery
IL this!-Lasuy-ls MIR. A. so very certain that II
s." the domestic manufactures" who docs - sup
ply the same or kindred article at diminished
Irice?" Has the Sn'uggler none OF he meiil OF
this reduction Let him visit the whole line OF
the Lakes--and let him ascertsin the lo, rates OF
Insurance which are paid elsewhere for bringing
IN struggled Soods-and then he Will be more
competent TO answer this question.
One remark more!-lt is impossible TO oyer,oo,:
the blow which Mr. Adams makes at the State Co.
vernments "Ihe people oil no state have ever
delegated 10 their legislature the po,ver of PRO.
nouncing an act OF congress Unconstitutional but
they have delegated to them powers, by the ex-
ercise Of which, the execution OF the laws of con-
gress within the state may be rcssied"-Is Mr. a.
really ignorant, that at the time OF adopting the
Constitution, the State Legislatures were consider
cd as the future guardians of the rights of the
Statcs-that the Sc Federalist'' declared The ,g
isiatures, in the case of any encroachmen, bv the
federal power, would be ready TO sound the tocsn
Of alarm: that in the period OF the Alien and Sc
diiion Laws, the Legislatures OF Virginia, Ken
fucky and some other States did declare ihos, acts
Unconstitutional that the right was admitted at tina,
day by all republicans; that Mr.. adson in his cee
bratedReport, holds the following decisive language:
IS In the example given by the State, OF de clar-
ing the Alien and Sedition Acts to be unconsti,u
fional, and OF communicating the declaration to
the other States, no trace Of improper means has
appeared. And il the other States had concurre, in
making like declaration, supported too by the nu-
merous applications flowing Immediately {, on, tn.
people, il can scarcely be doubted, that these sim
ple means would have been as sufficient as they
are uns xceptionable.
=" 1t Is no less certain that other means might
haze been employed, which are strictly within the
limits of the Constitution. The Legislatures of
the States might have made direct representa-
ton to Congress, with view TO obtain a rescind-
ing OF the two offensive acts; or, they might have
represented to their respective Senators in Con
gress, their wish, that two-lhirds thereof would
propose an explanatory amendment TO the Cons,-
tution or two thirds Of themselves, il such had
been their option, might, by an application to Con
gross, have obtained Convention for the same
object.
gible in themselves, nor probably, TO the States,
were all constitutionally open for consideration
And if the General Assembly, after declaring the
two acts to be unconstitutional, the FIRST and
most obvious proceeding on the subject, did mo-,
undertake to point out 10 the other States choice
among the farther measures that might become
necessary and proper, the will not be mis-
construed ny liberal minds into any cuipable i'm
putations."
TWAS the remons,rance OF the State Legislatures
that saved the federal Constitution in 9S '99-that
may quietly save il again--and thus prevent n re
sort TO passionate inyective and popular Insuriec-
tion.--lnsiead, therefore, oil being an enemy to
the Union, ii is when seasonably used, and wise
~ and moderately exercised, the best friend
of the Union.
ssThe President tells us, that in our Disagree
ments with Brazil +" the honor Of our country and
the rights Of our citizens have been asserted and
uindicotedi" We wait tor the proof OF this /,
needs confirmation