Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-12-09

n ,he will Oh lnat '"aJO.V - -
"I Government is Suffered to search through
i'a, IN. " records for precedents upon which to
ls" "I ,beir claim to power, and thus melt away
"aa 0aIJer Of the Federal chain, BY making that
uf s:, now, because heretofore the same
s'n' s'as heen done by themselves it IS equiva-
icsa4' ,ba ,ctua destruction Of that instrument,
'h' " Institution Of Government unrestrain-
lal ~: -. overs and unlimited in its sway. 1t
- ,s - uow strongly iusinuated that the States
Sc. ;pterpose TO arrest an unconstitutional
tanno, If so. there is already no limit to Fe-
aSaII a,,ser. and our short experience has shown
daI' inter insufIiciency of all restraints upon
L r,.',u;, resisted the usurpatons OF England,
,""s.nnntered the hazard Of war for political
|u u,.ors. and sought to guard against Opprcs-
'''''' 'h,t her citizens might enjoy the liberty
g,, belonged to them, and appropriate to their
sun" a.e that which their labor had earned. The
,Su "a I.y. of which all the Southern States so
i''" .onnlain. is calculated to take from our CT
.''. ,br prolit they have earned by their indus.
'l'' md i. also. a violation Of the Constitution.
lnIy has this been done. but laws have been
n,.,ed. appropriatins the public money for pur-
pi r,,ri,n 10, aud unwarrantcd b., the Con-
,d.g,on: Agents have been appointed 10 neSou.
-, Cr,,,ies without consulting the Senate; and
a,o,..i,ions have been made 10 seize upon the
rrr,, revenue in the Treasury ut the United
S,,,p. to be divided among the States according
.,.n,.,ynation. though some Of them export no
%;,I and consequently contribute little to that
t"iy-olch is, in reality, reducing the States to
ta condition of yassals and pensioners, paid by
fol, Illegally exacted from them.
#, hs.e laws. these acts, and this claim to
.,r.r he constitutional. the Constitution Of the
,..;sl state, has been misunderstood, aud is in
s,f.ept to accomplish the objects for which it
iva, de,igued-that OF preserving our liberties
md onr rirhts. II they are unconstitutional, the
g,l.raI Government has uSurped the rights Of
"A, States, and, By constituting itself the sole
;,J,s, Of is powers, has created a new political
,,sm subyersiye of that to which allegiance is
he.
Uegislative cxpediency is to triumph over
Institutional rights, aud the obligation Of oaths
,d,resartled then all human means for the Sc
mil, Of liberty vii! avail us nothing, and free
Ion is gone forever.
We nav see these laws continued by States.
.osNuiag to advance their own local interest,
md using their power to cypress the minority,
Nllel NUulu lIcli Ot Nllluut st tNh-
sderatOns ought mt to be dsregarded. at least
D. the Southern States, who are the minority.
ont the producers and exporters Of the products
which bring into the Treasury the wealth. To ob-
tain which, all the safeguards Of liberty are about
10 be Crumbed to pieces. No State has made Sd
mo, sacrifices for this Union as Virginia, To
shch she has been SO much devoted. She has
calmly awaited the period when returning sense
d justice would lead to au alienation Of her bur-
hens, and an Abandonment Of those unconstItu-
iona measures. Calling as the oppression has
leen under which We have labured, We have been
content to make our situation known through our
Members Of Congress and bv legislative resolves.
Heretofore the public debt has been the pretext
lr tn, Representations. however, It is upon the
Se Of extinction, when for the sake Of union, If
not jl,tce, we hope a change IN those fatal mea-
H'es. But | fear, doomed 10 disappolntnent,w
nl'tROw prepare TO combat a scheme which has
ben suggested, aud has enlisted, or is likely to
enlist, strcng Interest in its support. refer to
b, scheme Of Distributing the surplus revenue
inoG, the States. The Legislatures Of two of
the largest States, have already expressed for it
heir approvaI--and the President, Of the United
Nate, mas recommended it to Congress, in his two
'bed more ruinous to US and the other Southern
sa'e'' than this. Should it be adopted, all hope
n r'iel irOm this oppressive system of measures
'ui nave vanished, as each year will show results
'ach will present the strongest allurements to
aeU Increase. Those who contribute least, will
sempted to urge forward the most oppressive
'N9d'ents, to increase their portion of the spell
willie those who paw most, at best receive back
va snail portion of what themselves contribute;
aus producing the combination Of large States,,o
"ue smaller Tor local purposes, and to draw
''ey IRON the pockets of one portion OF this
h'ederscv To enrich another. All other ques-
la' Which have already asitated Congress and
people, will be lost in this most terrible of all,
40 calculated to appal the stoutest mind. a
pNUoRs Tariff will then mean, that System
"On Will lead to the greatest exactions upon the
,"S and must, if perseyered in, lead to the
WI 'So'erson OF the entire frame of Govern
Sa1 II the lingering hope which is still enter
,sg '' should again be disappointed. it will rest
~ Ae reOpe, and with You, their Representa-
''" " adopt such measure, as NAV be deemed
'"i'l 10 guard them against the evils of a sys-
uO' only unconstitutional. but unjust, Oppres-
'e a"d rulnous--nor will YOU be deferred
.''ea's IRON any quarter, from pursuing the
"N which duty requires. The strong arm of
's' VIII never be able 10 crash the spirit Ct
Tl'en' or deter them from exercising their
''~' anu lnterpOSlrT barriers To the proa ress of