Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1830-07-15

the tS NtH. Nd FtpsJ 9" ''e yN''N't>
"RopERr Y. H>yNE-A vigilant and gallant
scntinel on our Watch Tower. HIS brilliant ana
noyerGul defence Of our Consultation against IL
centious construction, and the sonth IRON uniounu
ed SANDER entities him 10 our warmest gratitude,
and applause.
know not, fellow-ei,nens, how adequately
20 express my deep sense of the honor when you
have this day conferred upon me- When 100"
around and behold this vast assemblaSe. compos-
Ell If native and adopted sans Of Car0inG-ot
whom our common neither may so well be proud
and reject. that this "gOodly company, EN-
hrociur 40 much Of character and talent, 0i pTl-
vate worth and public virtue, have come together
for the purpose of expressing their appreciation
Of the public conduct Of my excellent and Va
liable friend, Col. Drayton) and myself, want
words to convey 10 your hearts the emotions
which ACETATE my own. | have nothing to offer
YOU, gentlemen, but my poor thanks, "ith ms
assurance, that whatever may be the "changes
and chances" Of my future life. shall ever fond
l. cherish a grateful recollection Of your kind
ness. and will find in it strong incentive to the
faithful discharge Of my duties.
Believe me, gentlemen, no Representative OF
South Carolina has, Of late. rcpcsed upon "a
bed Of roses" and perhaps there never was a
period in the history IF our country. when the
CORDIAL
was more grateful TO the hearts Of their public
servants more necessary to sustain them IN their
cause, and TO encourage them in shedding fast
70 the faith" Condemned as they have been,
20 witness the failure Of all their efforts in de-
fence of your rights and interests. and coming 10
you, not AS the heralds of ''glad udlngS, but
as the messengers of defeat and disaster, this &C.
nsrOs reception is in the very spirit that has made
immortal thar Roman Senate, which decrced
their highest honors to hin who had stood by his
country in the hour of her utmost need and
who. though yanuuished. chad not despaired of
the Republic" Such offerings, gentlemen. are
indeed "doubv blessed, blessing HIM that gives
and that receives And here, perhaps. might
stop. But whsa -lasAsil4 es+rt no
fise, Il was oes' RseHrs, TO Ire principles which
have been promulgated by the Legislature of :.
Carolina" and when | know that l am chiefly
indebted for the Aatterins sentiment which has
lust been offered. to the humble part have acted
In support OF those principles, feel that should
disappoint your expectations, it passed entire
~ over topic OF such paramount interest and
Importance.
What then, gentlemen, are the principles in
rolved in this doctrine of Estate Rights!' They
are the great fundamental principles Of Constitu-
.ionaI Liberty. for which our fathers fought and
bled, and conquered; which were recognized,
and Jas we did tondIy hOpe) firmly established
BY the adoption of the Constitution of the United
States; and on the maintenance Of which depend
the peace, prosperity. aud safety of our beloved
country. Orr doctrines are laud quote them
from our political text book, the Virginia ReSolu-
tions of 1899 that the several States are sin
dependent sOvereiguties"-that the Constitution
Of the United States Is :. a compact TO which the
SOiCs are parties'-tlat as the Federal Govern
fent derives its existence, and all Of its powers
from that instrument, .'its acts are no further
ralid than they arc authorized BY the grants emf
5leraief az Hdf compact" and that in case of
"a palpable, deliberate. and dangerous exercise
OF other powers not granted by said compact. the
States, who are parties thereto, hare the right TO
nferposs, for arresting the progress of the evil.
ana Tor maintaining within their respective limits.
the authorities. rights and liberties appertaining
10 Them" The opponents of these doctrines
contend that the Constitution was formed not by
tks States in their sovereign capacity but by the
people collectively-thatt the "National Govern. !
ment," being thus created BY all the people. have
right to decide, Gin the emphatic language of the
great leader Of their party ''utimaeiy and con-
eIIsarey as TO The erteaf Of their po,cers," aud
hence results, as the basis of the whole system. |
the duty OF an absolute 0c9,nesceRce on the part |
ot the minority, IN the declared will of the ma. |
jority, 1t does appear to my mind ..passing
strange" that any man should fail to perceive |
that according 10 these principles, the Govern
ment of these United States is one great consoli-
dated National Government-having no pracf-
Cal limitation ON Its powers but the popular will.
and that 10 talk of :. State Rights is the most
ridiculous and unmeaning jargon; it is some
thing wOrSe-it is the language of bitter sarcasm
and solemn mockery. If "a sovereign and in
dependent State" has no right to Judge of the |,
violations of a compact into which she has enter
ed-if, when ''usurped powers" are exercised
over her citizens. she has no right, however fla.
grant the usurpation. to interpose to arrest the
progress Of the evil''-if the Federal Govern.
ment, 1.-THE mere creature Of the Constitution
may, with impunity. disregard all its limitations,
and the States are bound implicitly to submit.
then, indeed. ! am vet TO learn, in what estate
RishisS esnsist- De they csasist il 'sthe pew