Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1830-06-18

" and Wnns appropriatng 10 its own use the right
iuI and exclusive property OF the minority. The ma
mote nor l4ss, stripped Of the disguise thrown around
il. by the empty forms OF legislative proceeding than
downright swindling aud robbery-crnes, which, in
ny civilized country in the world, would subject the
Individual perpeua,or TO Infamous pun ishmen. What
human power can confer upon set of men, howe.
cr numerous, the right 10 commit such outrage up
another set, however few in number? Will any
advocate OF the tariff policy admit that ten men have
any greater RICH, to rob him If his property than he
has 10 rob thu ten of theirs Yet this would be l,-
gitimate consequence, of admitting that maioi i,v Of
Congress have unlimited and uhcon riyht 10
dispose OF the property of the minority.
the commerce, which this prohbitory system pro-
poses TO destroy, were the common property II the
whole Union; il the great agricultural staples which
the basis OF that commerce, were equally the pro.
ductors of all the States OF the the prjn.
ciple Of representative responsibility, would furnish TO
the Southern planter all the securty against opprs ssion
which human wisdom can provide There would be
real and effective responsibility pcrvading the whole
system. ctzea OF South Carolina would confident
w ile hs interests 10 from Nsssa-
chusetts, not because that representative RESPONSE
be to him, but because he onsibe TO persons
having the very same interest II il this community
OF interest that alone insure the effective respon.
sibihty of representative Government Where this
does not exist, the principle OF responsibility
afford any security against oppression, ard the power
Of the common Government shoull cease with II.
Whenever the federal government, therefore, az.
'umes 10 act upon the local peculiar interests Of
ucuar S'a,es or sections Of the Union, il as clearly
'ranscends the appropriate sphere Of is constitutional
and responsible power, as State Government would
de-, in attempting TO control these common intereHs
that have been committed TO the protection of the fed
eral government. In The case it would be desps.
,i'm in the other, anarchy. God ort ID that we should
ever be the ds eadfu alternative of choosing be-
tween them, even for a time.
have said, MIR. Chairman, that there carnot be
imagined more odious and Noticeable form Of lie ,po-
tsw, than that Of majority stimulated hy motives OF
senerest, and acting without any restraining rover
Mt he m A 4
exposition OF the true character and PRINCIPLES OF TN
combination-or more properly, conspiracy If nteres
which constitutes the tariff majority in the United Sa'e,
whl exhibit this idea IN more striking point Of view
than any thing have yet advanced on the snhect.
venture the assertion that prie thood in the dark
es ages OF ignorance and supsrsi'ion ever pursued
their selfish objects with more unIing perseverance,
and con'ummste art, than the manufacturing CAPT
have prosecuted their mercrnarv schemes Of monopoly
Commencing with few fol1wNr,-l;ke other mpos 'ors
OF whom we read-'hsy have succes.veiy enlisted I'M
der their banner sufficient number of confederate in
teres's TO render Themselves f"rnidabIe anL finally
by add cssiug themselves the ambition of some ard
the prejudlces OF others they have disseminated the de-
fusion OF their iae doctrines through all ranks OF so
cie'y, in the tariff States. Aspiring politicians find.
ing il conducive 10 their political Advancement have
rot SCRUBBED 10 form alliance cemented by avarice
AMI AMBITION and not less omiuous 10 public liberty
Than that which has existed, in other times and other
c. unries, between Church and State. BY the artiul
use OF cant phrases and cabasc terms, addressed 10
the national pride and local prpulices Of the people
such as the " American system" and the - British
Svstem," Old England" ard New England" the
Free States" end the "Slave Stat-s'-tbey have sue
ceeded in working up The public mind in the manuao
turing a,es, TO state Of infauaon almost Incredible
and, in my opinion, utterly incurahe. what then,
are we TO expect from majority, thus bound together
by me two strongest OF human pas-ions-avArice and
ambton-and acurg under the imposing disguise Of
iishterested pairioi-m? II hiss been said, Sir, by
wise man. that hurdrcd philosophers thrown 10
ce,her, and acting under the impulse of a common in
tfrest and the tasion of common passion would be
converted into mob. There can he no doub, Of the
correctness of the principle; and it is even more pow
eruy exemplifed in its application large and
communities Of men, united by common interests, COM
mon passions, and common prcjudccs. and directing
heir efforts TO common object. Ii is but apparent
hat entire sections OF the Union bound tos ether in
,onfedeTacy OF interest and ambition urged or by tn.
master spirits Of manufacturing monopoly and political
MANAGE Mt and sustdned by tho blind and demoraz-
ng doluAon, that il is the dictate Of patriotism 10
cypress and plumber the minority, because they prose
ute trade with foreign country;t must b. apparent
say that whole sections of the Union distinguished
rom he minority by the popularity OF their civil in.
ntutions, and arrayed against that minority by the
united motives oil interest, and ambition and ~ eiudice
will prosecute their schemes of injustice and oppres
en, with all that want OF m.ral responsibility which
distinguishes the proceeding OF an rfirats mob Yes
Sir, this mighty mass blinded by delusion which
converts plumber into patriotism, will perpstra'e, under
he prostituted forms OF legislation acts OF oppression
md injustice, which individual competing il would
hink OF perpera'irg. when acting his separate
possibility. Such, then, IL faithful portrait of thu,
majority, which told have natural right 10
egu!ae and oonscaie the interests Of the minority
What despo'isn be pointed ont either among the
lark realities OF history, the widest fcors of noe.
ry, more fearful to contemplate? What refuge that
nope, what security have the minority, w en- this de
rourng monster walks abroad, clothed with the mantle
md armed with the sceprs Of power ani stimulated
~ the Unsuitable spirit Of monopoly' Shall be told
hat the minority must throw themselves upon The In.
nsnity, justice and moderation of this majority, What
Sir. are we expect Justice humanity and moderation
rom the spirit and genius If monopoly it-el You had
Is well think of striking FIRE from iccIe You had
IA well attempt 70 sa'iate the appetite Of cannba by
he cries Of infant tenderness
Mr.. Chairman, I soemnv declare thai svonId pre.
er the government OF single despoi to that e such
majority as have described acting upon the rights
md Interests OF the minority, without any restraint but
h at imposed by it, own will The subjects OF an i'm
xiremes Of oppression The greatest yran' that ever
eiSned-cven the Emperor TibeTu4,-was full a man
having the soul and the fcelir &c, ard TIE ynrahies Of
man, and coni not, therefore behold without some
compuncious visitings," the su,rnzs of his subject
md the desolaion and plumber Of his provinces But
such majority az have described, has no more soul
han corporation. ar d. in the very nature OF things il
utterly incapable oil human sympathy.
There Ia another restraint upon the power Of a sim
Gle tyran which does not uron this fyan' ma
ority, appropriately denomina'ad in another Place
king numbers" The physical force Of society il on
he side OF he oppressed in tho Of single despo
An act Of tyranny will vbra'e through The hearts Of all
Iis subjects. from extremity Of his donations 10
he other. Every man will feel that the blow which
strikes down his fellow subject 10 dav may ill upon
him Tomorrow A sense oil common danger and Gem
mon suffering, will induce the most degraded popula
lion in the world 10 impose suoh limits upon the prac-
ca exercise OF despoiic power, will prevent the ex.
remes of oppression. II is historical fact Sir that
here does not exist the face Of he earth desro
ism that is not restrained by principle moral re-