Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-03-31
VIRGINIA LEGISLATURES.
HOUSE OF DELEGATES.

Ma. CARTER NJ. BRAxroN's Speech IN the
. t|ouse " Delegates, on The -4nti- Tariff Rcso-
fations.
j Although many considerations admonish me no,
TO participate in this discussion at this late stage
OF IT, am impeiled by considerations OF public as
well as OF personal interest, to present my view
oil this all-important and interesting subject. Sir,
have voted against every proposition which
sought to give the go-by to this matter; and have
.tone so because considered the present the most
t and opporiune occasion, that had ever, or could
ever occur, for the declaration of Virgnias senti
inents, as to the construction of the Constitution
OF the United States. If, Mr.. Speaker, Vir-
ginia Is prepared to fire the political lee gun and
strike the flag Of Free Trade and State Rights,
let be tone at once: II she is epared to aban-
Con the doctrines which she has so long maintain-
ed, and so Zealously and ably defended. the world
should know 1.-THE Southern States should know
lle-that t'eyUnay no longer look to US, their ma
turai allies, as their associates in the great stug
gle for civil liberty: the coming administration
shouid Know II, that II may not be paisied by the
supposed viii of the Antient Dominion: the East
Tern States should know it, that they may pre-
pare TO take us in their fond embrace. Sir sick
en- at The contemplation. Ii will be the fatal EN-
brace OF the instrument, once used in Eng land,
called the Maiden; but if, on the other hand Vir-
gna is true TO HERSELF il the good people of this
! commonwealth think they and their fathers
thought in '9S, '99, that the government of the
=. States is government of limited powers and
that those powers should not be multiplied or in
Creased by construction, let seize, with avidity
ms occasion, TO repeI the foul insnuation, that
virginia Is the mere tool OF great political leaders;
mat she Is tossed Of uncertainty by eve
ry wind OF doctrine-;hat she has 40 fixed political
attraction; no chart or compass by which TO steer
her course; and that those who sway her desti-
MES, have TO guide bu. CAPRICE; no object hui in
terest.
! MIR. Speaker, il has been strongly argued.
I 'iat Inc tariff laws, as protecting system, be-
fgin now to quadrate with the particular interests
o, virginia; and you are told OF your inexhausti-
hemp and cotton, and bread stutfs, sc. And is
It come TO this, that Virginis who has ever been
signa!sed by her devotion TO principle whose Ii
beraiiiy has made her poor; whose magma
hiinity has made her great; and whose steady op
position to Federal Entertainments raised what
mas been 80 beautifully denoInnated, the beacon
FHSht OF 9S; that Virginia, who has boldly de-
nonced the protecting system as unconstitn onal
/ and wanton usurpation, when that system was at
war with her interest, shall now, forsooth, hem
as IT is said the tariff laws begin to run parallel
with her immediate interest, taneIy acknowIed
that the reasonings and doctrines OF '9S and SO
were but the scholastic defamation and polemic
discussions OF ejupe politicians the mere cant
ana stun OF inforiated democrats: No, no, Mr.
Speaker; let us hope better things of the Old Do
ninion. Let us prove to the world. that the
Establishments OF power and the ailurements Of
wealth can never seduce us from our high estate
Of political integrity.
Sir, 10 those gentlemen in this House, whose
political opinions were formed before | was horn.
those who think that the Federal Government
IS The sale depository OF all political power and that
congress has power TO DO every thing which the
general welfare may have 10 require, l shall not
address one single remark. have not the yapi,v
TO attempt TO dislodge opinions, whose antiquity
would bar ejectmenis, IL not writ of right; nor
snail attempt to influence those, who have on
serious deliberaon and mature reflection espous-
s e, me Federal doctrines DO no. let me be I'M
uerstood as using this term reproachfully. No
SIT my father was Federalist, and the reve-
renee Dear Tor his memory would palsy my tongue
IL IL dared 10 utter such denunciation But
sir' 70 mat large portion oil the members of this
House, who, like me, have not the leisuye and
Inc means tor scientific research who, like me
tho not politicians by profession, still like to have
opinions OF their own, must offer few adnoni.
tons.
When the old articles of confederation ,roved
inadequate TO the purposes of thetn cyea,ion. the
people OF these United States determined TO form
a ederaI Government, that should, more efIecttI-
any, ensure the common defence and domestic
tranquility OF the states; and with these views was
formed the Constitution OF the u. s., which hold
IN my hand Here,you perceive, that after franz
ing the machine of government the Constitution
goes on IN the 9Th section, to declare, that Con
gress shall have power TO lay duties, taxes, i'm
posts, and excuses; TO borrow money, 10 regulate
commerce, to establish the rule Of naturalization
10 coin money, to provide for furnishing counter
ieiters, 10 establish post Offices, 10 promote SCI
ence, 10 constitute inferior tribunals, to punish
piracles, ie!onies committed OH the high seas
anu offences against the law of nations TO declare
war, provide for Navy, make rules Tor the Co !
vernment OF the Army, 10 provide tor the calling
forth OF the militia and organizing il; to exercise
exclusive territorial jurisdiction in certain pares
ana mere the enumeration stops. But the trainers 7
OF this instrument, intending the federal for Co |
verhment oil limited powers only, and meaning
mat It's powers should never be multiplied mr.
increased by construction; and that every poySer
which was not distinctly and expressly given IN
The Federal Government, should be retained nv
.he STATES or the people; but at the came time in.
lending, with the expressly delegat movers IN
carry along the means necessary for their execu-
lion, the 18th clause follows the enumeration
and Is IN these words: 4" To make all laws which !
shall be necessary and proper for Carrying into
execution the foregoing powers, and all other
powers vested, by this Constitution, in the Go.
veTnment OF the United States, or i'm anv deoarf
inent or Office thereof" Inserted. I contend NO,
for the purpose Of comforting new distinctive pow
ers' but to enable the government without resort
ng 10 implication, 10 use the incidental means OF
efectuating the enumerated powers Supposs
ms IIth clause had followed after every specfded
power, could II have borne the construction which
Is now sought to be placed upon it-tbat of grant
OIL other distinct powers? Certainly moi How
hen, would ask, can il bear that Interpretation AZ
The end OF the whole section' Sir, IL Is a loroed
which make this 18th clause mean A.
ny tnlng else than caution against iinpIi alton -
I he whole instrument teens with restrictions -
ne lst clause OF the 9Th section, which gives the
power TO collect taxes, duties, imposs and excisee
IN "hich some gentlemen are pleased 10 rect Tho
power TO protect manufactures DOGS rontain
which speaks volumes q" pu, ali 81,
ties, inposts and excuses shall be uniform fbroueb
out The United States." Observe sir. il does rot
provide that all sGres' shall be equal through.
ont the United States; fora system nj uneoual tax
stlon could not he imagined hut, the trainers Of
I.s ns'fuiHeni looking 9th piore thrn ordinary