Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1829-02-27

timent prevails 10 inc considerable e1tent, 'na'
Administration have given such CONSTRUCTIONS
10 that instrument, and practised SO many aou-
ses, under color of its authority, that the time
for q change is al hand. Those who SO believe,
regard the evils which surround them as inttin-
sic and incurzble defects in the Constitution.
They yield to persuasion, that no change, n
ally time, or on any occasion, can apgra'a'e
the misery Of their country. This opinion may
ultimately prone TO be correct. But as the
evidence on which it res,s is not ye, conclusive,
and as measures adopted upon the assumption
Of its certainty might be irrevoeable, some gen.
raj considerations are submitted, in the hope
of reconeiling all 20 course OF moderation b
hrmnrss, which may save them from the regret in
cident to sudden decisions, PROBABLY aUerf
the euii, or at least insure consolation ana
success in the last resort"
"The lust and caprice Of power, the corrup.
ton Of patlo nage, the oppression Of the weaker
interests Of the community by the stronger,
heavy taxes, wasteful expenditures, and unjus!
and ruinous wars, are the natural offspring OF
bad Administrations, in all ages and countries.
1t was indeed 10 he hoped, that the rulers OF
these States would not make such disastrous
haste TO invole their infancy in the embarrass.
ments Of old and rotten institutions. ret all
this haze they done; and their conduct calls
loudly for their dismiSsi0n and disgrace
Blu, to attempt upon every abuse Of power to
change the Constitution, would be 10 perpetu'
ate the evils Of revolution"
Finally, if the Union be destined 10 dssolu.
ton, by reason Of the multiplied abuses Of bad
administrations. j, should, il possible, be thr
work of peaceable times, and deliberate consent.
Some new form tf confed.racy should be subs,i-
,uted among those STATES, which shall intend 10
maintain federal relation to each other. E.
vents may prove that the causes Of our calami-
ties are deep and permanent. They may he
found 10 proceed, not merely from the blind
ness Of prejudice, pride Of opinion, violence Of
party spirit, or the confusion Of the times; but
they may be traced TO implacable combinations
Of individuals, or OF States, TO monopoiize pow
| er and Office, and 10 trample without remorse
upon the rights and interests Of commercial
! sections Of the Union. Whenever il shall APP
pear thar these causes are radical and pcrma
nent, q separation by equitable arrangement,
will be preferable to an alliance by constrant,
among nominal friends but real enemies, inf1a.
med BY mutual hatred and jealousies, and invi-
ting by intestine divisions, contempt and az.
erosion from abroad. But severance Of the
Union by one or more States, agains, the will
of the rest, and especially in time Of war, can
be justified only by absolute necessity. These
are among the principal objections against pre-.
cipitate measures tending to disunite the States
and when examined in connection with :he fare>
we'll address Of The Father Of his country, they
must, it is believed, be deemed conclusive"
"In this whole series Of devices and mea-
sures for raising men, this Convention discern
a total disregard for The Constitution, and
disposition to violate its provisions, de-
,nunding Tram the indinidunL States n firm
and decided opposition. An iron despotism can
impose no harder servi,ude upon the citizen,
| than 10 force him from his home and his eccu-
patton, to wage offensive wars, undertaken to
crafty The pride or passions Of his master. The
example Of France has recently shewn that a
cabaI Of individuals assuming to act IN the
name Of the people, may transform the great
body Of citizens into soldiers, and deliver them
over into The hands Of single tyran,. No war,
not held 10 just adherence by people, can re
quire the aid Of such sIratagems 10 recruit an
an army"
"That acts Of Congress in violation of the
Constitution are absolutely void, is an undeni-
able position. II does not however, consist with
the respec, & forbearance due from confederate
State towards the General Government, to f1y |
10 open resistance upon every infraction Of the |
Constitution. The mode and the energy Of the |
opposition should always conform 10 the ma.
ture Of the violation, the intention Of its au.
thors, the extent Of the injury inflicted, the de-
termination manifested 10 persist in il, and the
danger OF delay. But in cases of deliberate,
dangerous, and palpabIe infraetions Of the Con-
sti,utio", affecting the sovereignty Of a State,
and liberties Of the people, it is not only the |
right, but the duty, Of such State TO ;nterpose
its authority for their protection, in the manner
best calculated to secure that end. Wien en-
ergencies occur which are either beyond the
reach of the Judicial tribunals, or too pressing
to admit of the delay incident to their forms,
States, which have TO common umpire, mus:
be their own judges, and execute their own de-
cisions. 1t will THUS BE PROPER for the several
States to await the ultimate disposal Of the OBJ.
noxious measures, recommended by The Secre>
tary of War, or pending before Congress, and
SO to use their power according to the charac-
ter these measures shall finally assume, IS ef-
fectually to protect their own sovereignty, and
the rights and liberties Of their citizens"
"rhe last inquiry, what course OF conduc,