The Arkansas advocate., 1831-09-28


 presenting my views, with the reasoni
 in support of them in detail.
 As my object is simply to state m, opinions, i might pause with this refer
 eBce to documents that so fully aist
 ably state all of the points immediatel,
 connected with this deeply importani subject, but as there arc many who ma,
 not have the opportunity Or leisure tt
 refer to them, and, as 1t is possible
 however clear they may be, that differ
 ent persons may place different inter. lpretations on their meaning, will. in order that my sentiments may be fully known, and to avoid all ambiguity proceed to state. summarl,, the doc trines which IconeeIye they embrace. 1 IHhe great and leading principle is, that inc GeRsral Government emanated from the people of the several States, forming distinct political communities, aad acting in their separate and soye- reign capacity, aid not from all ei the people forming one aggregate political community; that the Constitution of the United States is in fact, compact, to which each State is party, in the cha
 raeter already described; ard that the several States or parties, have right to judge ofits infraetions, and in case of a deliberate. palnable, and dangerous exercise of power not delegated, they have right, in the last resort, to use the language the Virginia resolutions, ''to tntcrpoae for orrestine he progress of the epH, and for maintaining, arithin thclr respcefipe limits. the dafioritscs. rights, aud liberties oppegtmning 10 them." This right of finterposiiion thns solennly as serted by the State of Virginia, be it called what if may, State rights, veto, notification, or by any other name. conceive to be the fundamental prnei- pie of our system, resting on facts his torically as certain as our revolution itself, and deductions as simple and de. monstrative as that of any political CT moral truth whatever; and firmly be- lieve that on it's recognition depends the stability and safety of our political msti- ttittiois.
 l lam not ignorant that those opposed to the doctrine, have always, now and formerly, regarded il ina very different light, as anarchial and revolutionary Could l believe such in fact to be it's tendency, to me it would be no recos- mendation. yield to none, trust, in a deen and sincere attachment to our political institutions. and the union of these States. ] rever breathed an op- posite sentiment; but, on the contrary, I have ever considered them the great instruments of preserving our liberty, and promoting the happiness of our selves and our posterity; and next to these, have ever held them most dear. Nearly half my life has passed iu the service of the Union, and whatey ' pub lie reputation have acquired, is indis- solubly identified with it. To be too national has, indeed, been considered by many, cvep of my friends, 10 be my greatest political fault. With these strong feelings of attachment, l have examined, with the utmost care, the bearing of the doctrine in question; and so far from anarchial. or revolutionary. ] solemnly believe # to be the only solid foundation of our system, and of the
 Union itself, and that the opposite doc trine. which denies to the States the right of protecting their reserved pow CTS. aad which would vest in the Gen eral Government, it matters not thro' what department0 the right of deter mining exclusively and finally, the pow CTS delegated to it, incompatible with the sovereignty of the States, and ofthe
 Constitution itself, considered as the ba- sis of Federal Union. As strong as
 this language is, 1t is not stronger than that used by the illustrious Jefferson,
 who said, to give to the General Gov
 ernment the final and exclusive right to fudge of its powers, is to make sits dis- l cretaon md not the Consultation the nlea-
 sure of its poauers;'' and that ''in al CO.,
 ses Of compact bctueen parties hoviag TO
 common judge, each party hos as eqaal
 right b jtdge for itse!s as zoe3 os ef taf
 operation, as of the mode aaad measure q
 redress.' Language cannot De more cx-
 plicit; nor can higher authority be ad- dueed
 That different opinions are entertain. ed on the subject, l consider but as ar additional evidence of the great diversi : tY ofthe human intellect. Had not able ; experienced, and patriotic individuals for whom I have the highest respect taken different views, | would hay, l