Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-09-08

sable exclusively its particular state, foreign
herein, each the others, as they We're before the
original compact.
TO this constructions of government and Gstribu-
ton of lis powers, the commonwealth of Virginia
does relgiousv and afcctionatelv adhere, opposing,
with equal fidelity aud firnuess the usurpation OF
either set OF functionaics the righfu powers OF
the other
Bu, the federal branch has assumed in some cases,
and claimed IN others, right OF enarging It's own
pow Jis b. constructions, differences, and indefinite
deductions from those directly given which tins As
semb!y does declare to be usurputios OF the powers
retained 10 the Independent branches, imtcrpola
lions, into the compact, and direct in.racons OF 1t.
| They claim for example and have commenced the
exercise oi right to construct roads open canals
and effect other internal Improvements, within the
territories and jurisdictions exclusively belonging to
tile several states which this Assembly does declare
has not been given TO that by the constitutional con-
pact, bat remains to each state among its domestic
and unallcnated powers, exerciseable witLia Itself
ond by lis domestic authorities alone.
! This Assembly does further dsavow, and declare
to be the most false and untouncd the doctrine, that
tue compact, In authorizing It's federal branch to lay
and collect taxes duties, npOsts and exercises 10 pay
the Geuts and provide for the common defence ad re-
nera! weiiare Of the United States has given item
thereby POWER TO do whatever they Lily think
pretend, would promote the general welfare; which
construction wuaid make that%o. itself complete
government without limitation of power but that The
plain sense and obvious meaning was, that they might
levy the taxes necessary to provide for the general
welfare by the various acts OF power therein specif
Nor is it admitted as has been said that the people
OF these states by not investing their federal branch
Win all the means OF belter:ng their condition. have
denied 10 themselves any wc! NAV effect that bur
pose; since. in the distribution of these means they
have given to that branch those which belong TO its
departments, and to the States have resersed sepur
atcy. the residue which belong to them separately
And thus by tie organization Of the two b, alches
taken together have completely secured tic first OBJ
ject oE human associations the full Improvement Of
her condition. ard reserved to themselves all the
faculties Of multiplying their blessings.
" hilst the General Assembly thus declares the
rights retained by the State, rights which thew lave
never yielded. and which this st..C will never vol
unfairly yield, they do moi mean To raise the banner
OF dsaiiection, OF separation from their sister
states, co-partes with themselves To this compact.
! they know and value too highly the blessings Of
their union As to foreign nations and Questions arising
among themselves, to consue! every racti0n rs to
be met by actual Resistance. They respect too al
tec!onately the opinions Of those possessing the
same rights under the SAME instrument, make ey-
cry difference o,cuustEuc:on ggDod OF :iact% lie
rupture. They would indeed consider such rup.
ture as aIorg Tie greatest c,lantes which couii
oeiail ti!en but not the greatest. There is vet one
! greater, subns to Il government OF unlimited
powers 1t Is only when the hope Of avoiding this
shall become absolutely Desperate that further for.
3carance could not &c INDUCED. Should TIE major
tiles OF the co parties therefore, contrary TO the tx-
pectnton ad hope OF this assembly prefer at this
Tine acqulescencc i'll these assumptions OF power bv
Ire federal nieiheT of the government, we will be.
patient and suffer much, it be too late will owe
80 them also the bitter Consequences in which that
uSnTpation will involve us all. III tic mean whl we
VIII breast WITH rather than separate from te eve
~ misfortune save that only OF living under govern
meat OF unlimited powers We owe every other
sacrifice to ourselves to federal brethren and TO
NE WoF1d at large to pursue with temper and perse
Vefance the great experiment which shall prove that
man IS cnpabe OF living III society, governing itself
oy laws self imposed and securing to its members
the enjoyment of life, liberty. property and peace:
further to show that,cvon whom tho government Of
tnnf
are not at once to despair, but that the will and watch
iuiesS Oh lis soundes parts Will reform its aberra-
IONS, reca! 1t to original and legitimate principles
ana restrain 1t within the rigfu limits of self rov
ernmen And these the objects OF this dcciara-
ton and protest
Surprising then that it might be for the good of
the whole Us some of its co States seem To think
chat the power of making roads aud canals should be
added to those directly given to the federal branch as
more likely 10 be systematically and bcnefcalIy d.
fected, than by the independent action OF the several
States, this commonwealth from respect TO these
Opinions and desire of Cancellation with s 20
states VIII consent, III concurrence with them to
MAKE THIS addition, provided IL be done regularly hy
an amendment OF the compact, III the way established
by that instrument and provided also il be suifi lent
~ guarded against abuses. COMPROMISES ana currt,t
proctises not only OF possible, but of probable occur
renee.
And a further pledge Of the sincere and cordial
attachment Of this commonwealth to tn, II ion nf
the whole, so far rs has been consented 10 nv tle
compact called 'fhe constitution Of the United States
OF America, construed according to the plain and
Ordinary meaning OF its language, 10 he common in
tendncnt of the time, and ofthos, who framed ) ia
give also to all parties and authorities time for rcfec
ton and for consideration whether, under tempe
rate view of the possible consequences and espccal
~ o. Tue constant instructions which an ,ncCuvocal
majority must ever expect to meet ttcv viii eth,
prefer he assumption OF this power rather than its
acceptance from the flee will Of their constituents
and to preserve peace in the meanwhile we nroceed
to make 1t the duty of citizens until the Ierisa
ture shal! otherwise ard ultimately decide to acou
esce under those acts Of the federal branc, of orr
government which we have declared TO be usurpa
tons, and against which in point Of right, we do pro
test as nu. and void and never TO be quoted as pre-
ccdents of right.
We therefore do enact and be it enacted by the
General Assembly OF Virginia, that all citizens Of
this commonwealth, and persons and authorities Win
IN the same, shall pay full obedience Mt all times TO
The acts which may be passed by the Congress of the