Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-04-03


oppressive means employed by Congress to this end
Perhaps ! was mistaken in that belief--but these
public men who, by holding delusive hopes of OBJ
tanning change of policy in the general government,
continue her state OF dependence, and tributary
to the wealth of Others will have heavy RESPONSE
bity to account for when the public mind shall have
disabused itHelf Most of the laws for this purpose
passed since the above period, were drafted by me-
Anti-Taritt report and resolutions Believing that
nothing could be gained by the ncessant repetition
OF Legislative protests-.hat their virtue and e:ica-
cy were already eyhausted-that this fright arm of
our liberties" was rendered almost nerveess by too
frequent exposure; that supervising and overseeing
the pets OF the general by state an, hor
tiles, though occasionally necessary was daurerous
as habit that they kept the public mind in STAT,
OF excitement and uceration, unfavourable to the
adoption of calm, prudent counscls and sound prac-
teal measures--that they would beget, Il not them.
selves The offspring Of, spirit Of political fanatc;sm
dangerous to the peace and harmony of the Union.
and knowing that they increased the J.epis]atiye
expenses oy lengthening the session. voted against
the reference OF the Governors message commupi.
eating the proceedings of the Legislatures of Ceor
gin and South Carolina. When the report and re-
solutions of the Committee were taken up 7 voted
Tor the same reasons, for their indefinite POSTPONE
ncnt, and subsequently, for LAYING them ON the tn
Bile. Being overrued in these Votes a majority
l cnrctnily examined the report and resolutions:
and, whilst strongly disapproved of the spirit nf;,
sea IN the whole business parts of the argu-
mont and two fthc resolutions had nv approbation
Fhc third resolution WAS, subsequently, divided INTO
Two, SO as to present the unconstutioaQFv and epe
daency of the tariff laws, separately.
voted against The resolution declaring those laws
unconstitutional. The constitution of the limited
States vests Congress with power ":o Law and collect
taxes, dutes lnposts and excuses to nav the debts
and provide for the co,lon defence and general wei
fsre;" and with power to regulate commerce with
foreign nations among the several states and With
indian tribes; the grant power :, the clause FIRST
quoted, seems to coiine its exercise to the prposes
therein specified bu, the second clause grants power
In general and unqualified terms and does not even
indicate for what purpose the commercial regulations
shall be made. Under then Congress has from the
adoption of the constitution, passed laws to cncour.
age and protect great aationdi interests whether
agricultural, commercial, manufacturing, navigating
or maratiIne and naval. What is a tariff laws An
act imposing duties on Imports of foreign merchap
disc. And is not this, plainly and obviously, .regu-
latlon OF commerce with foreign nations," NV opin
ion therefore, is, that the tariff laws are not uncon
slutionai, that their passage do not involve an as
sumption OF ungranted power, but an iljudcious ex
cTcse OF power not usurpri;on brit an abucc ofuow
ar 70 denominate that institutional, which Is nm
abuse, Is to confound terms, and discard all inteII;
gent aiscFi'ainaton II it be usurpation to pass
.arih laws containing the protective principle then
nave every President, and majority oil both Huuses
OF each Congress been usurpcrs.
me fourth resolution involving the policy or ey-
Pcnehcy OF the tariff Jaws s in the following words
q. hesoiVed, also, that the said acts facts Of
congress called Tariff laws are partial in their on
craticn tnPoftc and Oppressive to arre por;ion or
the people of the Union, and ought to be repealed"
or TINS resolution voted. 1t contains my opin-
IONS OF the partial operaticn nlpocy and oppressive
ness OF those laws. 1t is possible for a weak or nre
JUDGED mind to convert refusal to vote those laws
unconstitutional into interpretation of their poIicv
ana the extent to which 1t has been carried vet it re-
qulres very moderate discriminating powers to disco
e the wide difference
voted against the report itself; because besides
hat part OF the argument appeared TO me erroneous
~ approved the "proceedings' of the Legislature of
aud
were ready to defend anu sustain' them. On tnr
iii'g to the proceed South Cars,sstrl f,,,n,
That her second resolution was in these words
- Resofred That the measures to be pursued con
Sequeht on the perseverance in this system tariff
aws are purely questions of erpedieacy and not of
hfteS4nce ld that far the purpose ot the
oP'n'on anu inviting the cooperation of other States
copy OF these ana the resolutions heret oore adoped
ny THIS legislature, be transmitted TO tho Coverings
OF the several States, with request chat ,l,ev ,,
be laid before the several legislatures to determe
on such aleer'or measures as they may think the occa-
sion demands"
Inc language, purpor and meaning OF the abovc
resolution, approved by their General Assembly we'll
deserve the scrutinos investigation and crave deli;
pera'loh OF the good people OF Virginia. They will
them better by bearug in mind that in our
COUNTY, allegiance Is due to the constitution and
id"s' respect to the administrators of the noyern-
nnht When therefore, it is declared that '.ulterior
measures saaH be governed By "cxuediencv" anf
no, ~ A.eg!grce, the nican!nn appears =, ~
. wis "i.di, ei's Lung, that those Interior.
measures tbaA strike at the Government jtselE
II the Plan Contemplated be to proceed by acfs oil
state authorities to declare the laws of Compress
null ana void" then the forces OF the State Govern
1iehIs ana Ienerai Government must come in con-
fct For the Governors are sworn to see the state
Jaws duly executed and authorised to call out the
militia to aid him theren-and the President is
sworn TO execute the laws of Congress, and antho-
T,sed to employ the military and naval power of the
United States, and TO call on the militia to aid him
therein 80 that, lift come to this the people will
mot know, III the diversity of calls, which they OUGHT
1 obey.
mean n1 f2!ov citizens, t. assert that there rok,
nssoitioni.is III Virginia know that good men and pure
PATRIOTS "a can pretend to be, voted for the do
can to saw that tie strong and pointed language employed the
spirit pervad9 The whole business aud tracks pon
ing ne someci ought III opinion, awaken the solcude
OF PATRIOTISM and excite its vigilance The remedy is In vo
hansahd w"cost you but worlsay your public inen
nan ii Won speak III decisive and energetic tone they
" ORGY yoUinr N tnbt all of them mean we'll and have
been led thus Is r u" fatuailon of political heat If how.
ever, you neglect 's now may be late hereafter