Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1830-03-23

give up power which you nave exercised May she not
by Virginia and Kentucky by their re-
solutions in 1898 and 1885, and effect
down. and the administration of Jefferson succeeded
This appeal to the intelligence aud patriotism the
nation to correct the evil through medium
franchise II prevailed, and viii always prevail unless
,ere cxis, IN the majority a, variance with the and
'ees OF the minority Whc, that the may happen
that of justice will be weak produce repeal
the unconstitutional VIVA, them Shall Virginia
throw herself OUT o the Union? No Que Sc, of agents
poyed the federal government have asserted their
on their right do Another, noting States insist that
the of the General Government their
ally contained IN it, and are exercising the reserved powers
the State becomes mere dispute among agents.
In this things, shall Virginia despoed of
her sovereignty she will not by submission surrender
this Nadsons and Nvuoes forget years and
nsle again in the political str her Giles would lay aside
The crltches of ecrepude and the gentleman from Maine
r Holiness would again hear the Keen shri of the
Roanoke orator. cutting and separating, joints
and marrow
If am understand any Senator as saying that State
Legislature nully and make Congress so
him. The federal received or adop,ed by
the Legislatures of the Saies the elected for
mh mislead the Legislature, when called act suddenly
and unexpectedly Let the injured and oppressed State them
assume its highest political attitude Convention IN, the
State for the purpose of deciding whether the great fundamen
tai law which untes and binds the together been
States and not delegated to the General Governments If
false canor has been raised this will pu, down
In every State there division among politicians,
minority are only waiting for an opportunity to the MAORI
y in the wrong The people being called to act in this
nifty into action The aged, the wise the experienced, well
tired friends of the country will be called into the public
vice. Such men will not lightly pronounce Of Congress
unconstitutional and vod but should they upon full condera
tlon SO declare how will the question then stant If the State
possesses the power 10 act as have sewn the
sequence is, that the of Congress operate in
State; and Congress must scouesoe by abandonns the
power or obtain grant from the great from
which all its powers drawn. The General Government
would have right to force d would be glarng abs,r
to udpe of tho
consutionaity of of the General Governments and at
submission the This would involve papablc con
radcon This be illustrated by reference powers
of the supreme analogous All admit ,a, this
high tribunal has the right a properly before it, and with
IN ITS Jurlsdcton TO declare of Congress
all the effect of which render imperative not only
in State, but in all In this is Obliged to
scuece and abandon the power obtain express grant
from the original after the already No
force he applied give effect the thus declared void
by the supreme compel change its decision
But gentlemen, instead OF meeting fairly ex
cam' that such power the part of the Stale neon
ss,ent with the existence of Government, and is
placing states at the mercy of and the Unon
by such act would be dissolved think that ali
such objections arise from imperfect of admirable
system OF government they originate in supposieon that
congress possesses independent and uncomfortable power
which is unknown TO our system If the gentlemen will
advert to the fifth article of the Constitution they will find 70
deening powera above all Others which mould the
Constitution and define anew the relations between State
and General Government mean the constitutional number of
states. This is not mere dormant power. The mode in
which to be called into action expressly down. and
when properly invoked will at all times adequate
his glorious system of from disorder and anarchy When
ever conflict such as have pcscried arises between
he States acting IN lis sovereign Capacity and General
government IT TO this high arbiter Ia Convention of the
the creature of one of the parties But who 10 make The
apea Surely the party claiming exercise the power and
which alone possesses the of making REQUIRE the
oppressed State do it, would be absurd The CONSTITUTION
provides two modes of amendment one when wo.trs OF
when two-,hds The Legislatures of the States shall make
application to Congress call Convention proposing
required rafy; agency of Congress is necessary
oo On Congress- then the burden of making appea
on he ground that claims the exercise of the powa and
because alone, possessed cannot be cons
deed unreasonable, that Stale which declared in the
should possess of compelling the
10 make an appeal 70 the which all powers are
States and powdr wiiho %hc
has been granted What can be more rationale What
there conflict between sovereign State "a pary 10 the
comPac and the General Government the powers which
nave oeen yielded TO the latter that should be compelled 10
decide the question by appeal the powers
do not hesitate say tina, the pow part of the State
te sovereignty and to the preservation their reserved rights
Without H. the General Government practical operation
ing the limitations imposed by the provisions the Consi,
ton. It's construction Of the Constitution ,couid be the Con
Stut,on Those who know tire force influence of con
stIuction, hoy it perveri the panest import of words
when under the influence of self interest," understand The
iearuschanees is capable of producing If be nc
cheek an interested majority using the powers the General
Government which given for the protection and benefit
oil all as the instrument of aggrandzng themselves at the
expense OF the minority may by construction gradually under
nine and render obsolete the provisions this
ment We already fearful symptoms encroachment
which patriot look without di.nay and which
perseveed IN, only be arrested by powe
Tor winch contend The supreme wholly inadequate
If three fourt of the shall not concur in admi,n this
contested power or shall not that already exists
Congress will be constrained TO abandon the of
much as no power be granted without such concur
renee Tine decision of less number ough; oiea
ory where aSate has soemny pronounced that such grant
OF authority made But suppose three orbs
the States decide the question against the planning State
then acqu'escence becomes duty, and submit or
state of things arises provided for by the Constitution on
the consequences of which will dwell The doctrine foY
Of 4
disciple of old school, recalling il to public view Mr. JEFF
erson long since advanced the opinion now advocate in
ms letter to Judge Johnston of June 1929 he remarks refer
ciZen that There must be ultimate arblter
W rue SAID MI Jefferson lere but does that prove
ut is IN either party The Ultimate arter peopIc of the
Unpon assembled by their deputies Convention at The call OF
congress or OF twothds of the States Let decide TO
winch they mean to give authority, claimed by their
ogans And it has been tile peculiar wisdom felicity OF
our CONSTITUTION, to have provided this peaceabe appeal
'where That OF other nations is at to force.'
ITO be continuity