Alabama state intelligencer., 1831-11-26

the mode. "Congress, whenever two-thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose amendments to this Constitution; or. on the application of the Legislatures of two thirds of the several States, shall call Con- vention, for proposing amendments, which, Tn either case, shall be valid to all intents and purposes, as part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures of three-fourths of the several States, or by Conventions ill three-fourths thereof" Urged by the exist ing evil, the State instructs it's Representa- tives in Congress to endeavor to procure pro- positions to amend the Constitution memorl- als and petitions are employed; all exertions fail, concurrence of two-thirds of both Hou- ses cannot be obtained. The State endeavors, by resolutions and otherwise, to procure a concurrence of constitutional number ot the Legislatures of the several States, to apply for Convention to propose amendments. A concurrence of the competent number can not be obtained. Or if constitutional proposi- tions of amendment be made, the Legisla- lures or Conventions of three-fourths ofthe several States will not ratify the proposed amendments. If the law be unconstitutional, for want of power in Congress to lay duties to protect domestic manufactures, instead of to raise revenue to support Government, or
 
 like manner
 Having now exhausted all the means known to the Constitution, and consistent with the Union, to obtain rdief from legal oppression in vain, if the evil still exists and be insuiferable, 1t is now the State may begin to calculate the value of the Union, Ga pain ful reflection to heart that has always che rished belief that its value is incalculable.) It is now, by revertng to the first principles of self-protection, the State may nullty the aUts of Congress by declaring them inopera- tive and void within it's limits, and set up for itself. But before it takes ttis step, it ought carefully to weigh the advantages of seces- sion. against those of the Unon, and see that the former clearly preponlerate. Having said thus much, l would submit to your hon orable body the propriety If making some expression on the subject ofthe present Ia riff, and the means which ought to be employ ed in opposing it, procuring it's modification. l will here also submit for your consideration, a copy of the address to the people of the U nited States, read by Mir. Berrien from the federative committee, to, and adopted by the anti-tariff convention.
 A conviction of the highest considerations of public duty induces me to direct your at tention again to subject, the importance of which has been so often pressed on previous sessions of the Legislature by my predeces- sors, that little remains to be said with which you are not familiar. To afford such prac- ticable facilities to the commercial interests of our growing country as their exigencies may require, certainly falls within the legi- innate sphere of legislative action. la trac- ing the vestiges of ancient States, in whose councils munihcence, guided by wisdom, pre- sided, the remains of commercial improve ment and other undertakings, mark the ad- yanced state of society, and attest the empire of the arts of peace. While military achieve ment has shed lustre on nations, works of public utility, tending to the happiness and welfare of society, record the exercise of su- perior virtues, and afford nobler monuments of true and lasting glory.
 While we feel degree of becoming pride in the consciousness that the State of Ala. bama stands pre-eminently distinguished on the map of our country for it's natural com mercial advantages, yet there are works of public improvement, the accomplishment of which are imperiously called for by the growing wants of our flourishing country, and which would incidentally tend to the promo tion of the welfare and prosperity ofthe State. Among these, the conneXion of the Tennes- sec and Alabama waters, as well on account of the magnitude of the undertaking, as ofts high importance to extensive and various sec tons of country, whether regarded in mili- tary or commercial point of view, whether as project of national or local nature, com mand our early attention. While this sub ject presents to the General Government, in drawing together and preserving in political concord the distant parts of widely extend ed country, an object inviting to patriotism, and interesting to its reputation, the commer- cial interests of the State impel to the most intense efforts in promoting the same object. The events of the last war, yet fresh in the recollection of us all, admonish, that if a hos tile flag should again wave along our coast, it is to the interior we must look for the means of defence, in men and the munitions of war. By an improvement of the kind here recom- mended, a direct intercourse would be open cd between our seaboard, and the populous and fertile regions of East Tennessee, West ern Virginia, North Carolina, and a respecta- ble portion of Georgia, by which the effec- tive forces and supplies could speedily be conveyed to our assistance and relief. Thus valuable in state of war, it's advantages would be more sensibly and benefcially ex- perenced during the prevalence of peace. It would pour into the bosom of Alabama the rich produce of the sections of country be- fore enumerated, consisting of commodities which our necessities most urgently require, viz: Iron, Bacon, Flour, Lard, Butter, Rope, and Bagging, many of which articles we now procure from the North Western States. by way of New Orleans, loaded with the accu- mulated charges consequent upon long, Cir cuitous, and dangerous navigation, frequent shipments, merchants commissions, and other expenses, which generally swell the price of the article by the time it reaches the consumer, to an amount double its original cost This increased expense is taken from the pockets of our citizens, and would, as has been shown by unerring calculation, ill