Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1831-12-10

capes and scenery scarcely diversified than
the people who inhabit this country. Our country
men have varied advantages, sympathies aud senti-
cns The interests Of vast expanse Of territory and
nense number of inhabitants 10 be iosered and che
rished by general far its authorities
EXTENT Among people situated those of the Uni
ted States, having such conflicting sectional interests DIFF
ference OIL opinion will always exist not only in relation
TO the policy and proprcty OF laws enacted by Congress
but also concerning the cosuiionalty of its measures
The iniiammatory harangues of aspiring demagogucs
VIII easily persuade the people Of State to believe that
laws which deprcss, in the slightest degree, their local
advantages involve nagaut violations of the Constitution
he smallest State in the Union may, according the To-
gc oil some OF the nulicrs arrest the legislation OF Con-
gress paayze the energies Of the national arm, and clog
the wheels vi gov small majority small State
not amounting to hundredh part OF the people Of the
United states, may acting upon their principles, impose
negative upon the laws oi the government, and
the rest OF the coniederacy Yet we live in Republic
where the majority ought TO rule According 10 the scn
ments oil some oil the South Carolina statesmen, far
the conSiutonality of the is concerned the mi
noty prevail; and, violating principle of mathematical
truth, part made greater than the whole IT, in fact
State could nulfy the laws OF the national Legsla
ture, our government would be the most absurd, nei
cent and contemplate system that existed The ILL
constructed fabric would tumble in ruins during the
piping times of peace; itno during season OF and
danger it would be wrecked by the first bow of the
Storm History would in short time inscribe our
country's monument, the melancholy eptaph, &" Hum
fud ~ .Hdgna gloria Teucrb0i.'
The Constitution attempts guard against its own yio-
laon by the oath administered all the unctionaes
the government Legislative executive and udca and that
too by the efficacy of frequent elections If law should
be passed in conflict with the vcneracd charter of our
liberties, by both branches of Congress- should be signed
by tic President and enforced by the Judiciary the peo
ple acting III their primary capacity, redress and
pair the mischief by enlightened and udicous exercise
Of the right OF suffrage Several States in the Union have
frequently thought the Constitution volaedas in the case
Of the alien and sediton laws and the embargo Had
these laws been rescinded by State authority, the Union
would have been dissovedhc bright chains that bind
in harmony and peace would have been broken our
national glory would have been gone forever. The peo-
plc pursued different course By changing their rulers
he
pies of the Constitution ITSELF the obnoxious laws
pealed without any collision between State and Federal
authority, without shedding blood lighting from the
torch OF ecto, the flames of civil Our
still survives, and commands the admiration of mankind
isthere patriot or phanthrops in the United States,
who does not out TO the Almighty Dposer OF
the tribute OF grateful heart that such
il was?
South Carolina has no reason 10 resort to cx,remics-
still farther modification OF the Tariff be expected
calculated TO remedy, in measure the inequality of its
operation Our venerable, just, and honorable Chief Ma
gistrate has already shown spirit of sympathy for the su
ering South Much may be done without resort TO vo-
lent revolutionary movements; for, such nu.i-
cation to be- There is nothing peaceful constitutional
in Ii Is the trumpet that sounds TO armste signal for
slaughter. When South Carolina opens her ports, she
throws herself into unrendly position towards the GO
vernment OF her country.-What is TO be done : What
alternative shall adopt Shall the Federal Govern
ment submit and the Union dissolve in lis weakness
Or, shall the President order the Army and Navy
laws! Shall our country's Eagles sweep their flight tc
the plains OF Charleston and the Starspanglcd Banner
be displayed on her however cheer glad
den, and to save? In such horrible alternative our
onal vessels will move slowly and mournfuy over the
deep, while preparing TO pour their thunders into the
capital Of the State The bloody tragedy would in that
case be acted within the precincts of sister State and
those fields where her hardy yeomcn gather in the
treasures of Autumn, will be converted into the battle
ground of an invading army. One of these alternatives
must take place. when South Carolina opens her harbous
and proclams defiance 10 the authorities of the Union.
We soiemnly them ALLURE South Carolina TO reflect be-
fore she passes the banks of the Rubicon Let her calm
~ and canddly ask the question: If the Tariff without be-
ing midgated in single feature is preferable ds-
mon or civil waPrefcrable vastly demolition or injury
oil our beautiful fabric OF government! 1t is subject of
regret that among the nuiiicrs be found many OF
the distinguished sons of South Carolina-men who have
added aurcs TO the garands of their counrys glory and
shed vivid lustre the national councils Ii is decpy
to be deplored that the destinations of eoquence talents
and TASTE should be protuted the dissemination of per
ncious principles
The writer must be permitted to saw that the publca
ton OF the Vice President has been calculated 10 have an
unhappy effects and if lac had endcavored alay instead
OF inflanng the excitement that prevails in his native
State, his conduct would have been far more patriotic and
praseworthy. He has forward the advocate of "A
doctrine that leads 10 ruin and disgrace Let him
that he does not tarniSh the glory his past life blight
the wreath that has cncircled and adorned him. III Mr.
Calhoun were President. and the laws ncd how would
ne act, being nuitler himself? suppose he would lei
them stay nuHifed. He would indeed be most encr-
ge,c President, and hold tie rcns of government with
firm hand. MANIUTS