Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1830-09-16

that he can not only chime on with the Virgil
MA doctrines. wheh in 1921, he met. as Maj
Hamilton in his Preface asserts with over
shelming ridlcule aud triumphant sarcasm
but that he can even 60 bow-shot beyond
ihems Tha, he can even give to MIR. Madi
sons Resolutions an Interpretation still more
- false, dangerous and anti-repubicAn' than
he had himself deemed them 10 carry with them
in 1921 that he can even drduee from them
ar guments to justify rebellion aud dlsnnion-
a base purpose, which their venerable author
would have died sooner Than he would have
countenanced, in the slightest degree, aud the
| imputaton OF which he nov indignantly throws
! of
= Can'such things overcome like a summers cloud,
And not excite our special wonder J"
But il is due to Mr.. MeDufiie himself. and to
the cause Of which he was once the eloquent
aud able advocate that he should be permit
ted TO speak for himself. more at large We
ask therefore. an attentive and a general per.
nsal for the following extraci from one Of the
Essays from his peu TO which we have alluded
in the preceding remal ks. No one that reads
it can believe That any honest polnican who
had written II could now contend for the odous
doctrine OF Nullifca,ion--a doctrine, which, be
il called by what name it may. must, if coun,e-
nanced by amaiority OF the State in which il
has originated, lead possibly TO Civil War,
csylaiuly 10 disnnon. Mr.. MCDufiie thus
speak. IN his reply 10 the arguments Of 3" The
| Trio :"
Having thus shewn the true principles by
J which the federal Constitution ought TO be con.
sfrued, shall proceed 10 inquire what are the
means provided toa apply and enforce those rule
/ You assert, that when any conflict shall oecur
between the General and State Govern
ments, as 10 the extent of their respective pow
i. 5. s." each party has RICH, to judge for ass{E'
| confess am AT loss 10 know how such a
propo,ition ought 10 he treated. No CLIMAX
t of polilicaI hprpses can be imagined, in which
this mig hi not fairly claim the most prominent
pIace II resolves the Government, Al once
INTO the elements OF physical torce. aud intro
dpcps us directly into IA scene Of anarchy and
blood There is not single pnwer delegated
. TO the General Government, winch 1t would not
bp IN the power of every State Government
10 DESTROY under the authority OF this Iicrnnous
priucipe. II would be only necessary for
p
which the Federal Legislature enjolns or
ioining what the Federal Legislature iofblds
y he work is accomplished Perhaps you would
reqnire the State Judiciary 10 pronounce The
sac Law constitutional viii illustrate our
principle by "a few examples.
Suppose Congress should pass a law 10
Law aud collect taxes duties, impu.ts aud ex.
cises" and that n State Legislature should pass
another, declaring the objects for winch thr
4
therefore prohibiting the officers of ibe General
Government, by severe penalties, from coec-
ing the taxes, duties. imposs, and excuses.
Suppose Congress should pass law 10 " raise
an amy" cor a nalionai WAL aud a State L.
eislatnre pass another, declaring TIE war
wick. d. uuIighieous aud unconstitutional
md therefore prohibiting the Officers OF the
General Cow rnmeni, un5er heavy penalties,
from recruiting solAlers within the limits OF the
State. Suppose Congress should pass "A law
" for The punishment Of connlerfeuiug the So
curities and currenl coin Of the United Sat es.
and Statn Government should pronounce il
unconstitutional, and provl~e heavy penalties
against all officers iudlcInl or ministerial, who
should attempt to enforce H. need not mui-
tiply cases, for il you will duly consider these
you wlli find enough 10 satIate your keenesl
relish for anarchy and disorder. In all the
nbave cn.rs You would say, " each pniiD has
right 10 Judge for itseiE' and OF course 10
enforce lis judgment. You might then behold
a revenue officer OF The United States confined
10 Stale dungeon for obeying the revenue
law. of Congress. You might see a gallant
, officer of the army, covered with the glorious
scars of many hard fought battle bearing the
scnurpe ola State constable at n whipping nos,
for attempting. under law oil Congress- TO re.
cruil soldiers TO tight The battles OF his country.
You might even see Federal Judge arraigned
hetore a State tribunal, for pronouncing Gen
fence aganstA conntefelter OF the currcnt
coin OF the States And all this would unavod
ably result, in giving the suite rulers the right
In resist the General Government, or IN a civil
war 10 establish lis leg innate authority con
SEQUENCES either oil winch, is incompatible
win The ve,v notion OF government. 10
spnnnsp thst the General GoVernmrt have d
constitutional right 10 exercise certain P1wets
,vbIrh must operate upon the people of the
States and vet that the government Of each
. t,te has ths right 10 fix and determine It's
own relative powers. aud by necessary conse-
uutncr To limit the powers OF the brnefal
Government, is TO suppose The existence OF Two
/ contradictory and Inconsistent IIghts. In all
governments th re must he some orr supreme
i power iu other worGs, eVeiSqles'ihn that eau
arise as to the conStitntlunal extent of The
nnv.,s of different clHsSes of tunclIonaries
must he 81, pertibie o. II l"gll ana peaceable
determination by sometrbuAa Of acknowledge
ed authority, or force must hr the inevitable
I cons, ouence. And where force brgius, gov
erument ends And II is the more astonishing
thai YOU have assumed positions INVOLVING
such tremendous conseqnsn1 Is, when we con
: si9pIcd TINT they are III drect opposition To
the strict bitter of the constitution, your
fsvorit. test of the extent oil d'lega;ed powers
II is therein provided. That the constitution,
and tbe laws Of the United States which saalt
$ be- made in pursuance thereof shall be Ibr
sun,emc law Of the land and the Judges IN
ecery State shall be bound thereby, any Thing
in the constitution or laws OF any Stale TO the
--. .....,,, ;,bstauIiuu'' And apain q IN.