Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1830-03-05

general constitution, 10 the. hands. They have re-
CURED other security, and taken other bonds They
nave CHOSEN 10 trust themselves 6rst, to tho plain
words OF the instrument aud to such construction IA
the government itself, in doubtful cases. should mt
on its own powers, under their oaths of Office anil
subject TO their responsibility them; inst M the
people OF State trust their own State governments
with q similar power. Secondly, they have renossJ
their trust in the efficacy Of frequent elections and
IN their own power to remove their own servants and
agents, whenever they sec cause. Thirdly they have
rePo:ed trust in the judicial power, which in order
that might DO trust worthy they have made as res
Pecaoic, us dsntcrestcd, and rs independent M was
practicable Fourtbly they have seen fiji to relv In
case OF necessity or high expediency, thor known
and admitted power, to alter or amend the consti,,
ton, pcacenbly and quietly, whenever experience
shall point out defects or imperfectons. And final
!y, the people ofthe United States have. at no time.
in no way, directly indirectly, authorized any State
Legislature to construe or interpret their high in
strument of government, much less to interfere bv
their own power to arrest it's course and operation
H. SIR, the people In these respects, had done 9th
erwise than they have donc their Constitution eoud
neither have boon preserved nor would it have Leen
worth preserving And lifts plain provisions shall now
and these new doctrines interpolaied
IN It, will become as feeble and helpless being "a
Its enemies, whether carly recent could nos.
sibly desire. It will exist in every State but AZ
poor dependant on State permission. It must borrow
leave to be, and will be longer than State pleas
ure, State discretion, fit to grant the induI-
sence, and to prolong its poor existence.
But SIR although there are fears there are hopes
chosen constitution, for forty years, and have seen
their happiness. prosperity, and renown, grow with
its growth, and strengthen with its strength They
are now, generally, strongly attached to it.. Over.
thrown by direct assault, it cannot be; eyaded under
minded, NULLiFIED, it will not be- if we and those
who shall succeed us here, agents and representa-
tvcs OF the people, shall conscientiousy and ypant
ly discharge the two great branches Of our public
rust-aithfuiy to preserve, and wisely to admins
ter it.
Mr. President, have thus stated the reasons or ,,
N rtnna xt,htN oh k,,,~
ana maintained am conscious of having detained
you and the Senate, much too long. I was drnwn
into the debate with no previous elaboration such az
Is suited TO the discussion of so grave and mporten
subject But it is subject Of which nv heart ia full
and have not been willing to suppress the utterance
OF Its spontaneous sentiments. cannot, even now
peIsuaue myself TO re'nqulsh it, without expressing,
once more my deep conviction that since il respecis
nothing less than the union Of the States l. is most
vital and essential Importance to the public happncss
profess SIR IN my career hitherto, to have kept
steadily IN view the prosperity and honor of the whole
country and the preservation of our Federal Union
1t ID to that Union we safety At home. and
our consideration ard dignity abroad 1t is to that
Union that We are chiefly ndcb ted for whatever makes
us most proud of our country. Phat union we reach
ed only by the discipline of our virtues in the severe
schoo OF adversity 1t had its origin in the necessi-
ruined credit. Under it's benign influence ,b amo
great interests Immediately awoke as from the deaJ
and sprang forth with newness of life. Every venr
OF ms duration has tcemed with fre.h proofs Of its
utity and ITS blessings and although our territoyv
mas stretched out, wider and wider, and our popun
ton spread farther and farther they have not outrn
Its protection or its benefits II has been to ma ali
copous fountain Of national social and personal han
pmcss. have not allowed myself sir 10 look he
yond The Union, to what might liz hidden in the
dark recess behind. have not cooy WEIGHED the
chances OF preserving liberty, when the bonds that
unite us together shall be broken asupder haze
not accustomed myself to hang over the precipco of
alsunlo a., to see whether with my shOr. sight, can
fathom the depth OF the :byss below could re-
gard him n safe counsellor in the affairs Of ,h;s
government whose thoughts should be mainly bent An
considering not how the Union should be be st nrn.
served but how tolerable might be the condition of
the people when shall be broken I'D and DESTROYED
While the Union lasts, we have hirh eyc;,;no go;
lying prospects spread before u.s. for s ana onr
chidren: Beyond that seek not to penetrnte Tho
ven. God grant that, in my day. at least that chr.
.a,, may NOT rise God grant that my vision never
may be opened what lies behind. Wbcn ,nv o,.os
shall be turned TO behold, for the last time tbc SIM
In Heaven, may not see him shining ON the broLen
ana dlshonored fragments Of once nIorious TInnn.
on States discovered, discordant beliperen,. On n
land rent with civil feuds, drenehed Il NAV he in
ilatelnal oiood! Let their last feeble and lingering
glance, rather behold the gorgeous Ensign off The
Republic, now known and honored throuSbon, tLo
earth still full high advanced its aims and tronho
streaming In their original lustre not strinc erased
or polluted, nor single star obscured-benr;nn Co.
us Io ,l no such miserable nterrogatory as-What
is an tbs WORTH Nor those other words of delu,ion
and foHy-Liberty first and Union afterwards~hnt
every where, spread all over in characters IF ,,;r.
Hght, blazing on all its amlpe folds as tbov oat o,
the sea and over the land, and in evcrv wind under
tic whoic heavens, that other sentiment dear IN
every true American hcart-Liberty and JJnion no,
and forever, one and inscparable! ~"
LUZ The Notes referred TO in the Sncecb ,vnI IA
given in our next "''' W
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