Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-09-22

oTouS'nS contempt ana Indignation by his dISrc-
gard Tor consistency and open abandonment of
political principle. His career is nearly run; at
this time he is incapable of exercising any infu
cncc over the intelligent of Virginia.; and his
late descrion of former doctrines to subservc the
purposes of Mr.. Van Buren,, will seal his fate in
this State. Those political friends who still adj
here to him, look upon it with regret and ind,ona
! ton; and none more so than ROANE.
FoR THE VINO.
| crisis is uppr oaching in the affairs of the
country which must rally those republicans who
still adhere TO the doctrines promulgated and sue
cesstully maintained in '9S, by the great Apostle of
America liberty on one side, and the National Re
P"Gstcans or those who advocate the political prn-
clres so tcnac;ousy supported by respectable
class OF politicians of the same period, known by
the name of Fcdcralists, on the other sido
In tins arrangement of parties, founded on tho
abstract Theory of government, and particularly
| OF our own peculiar system OF government re-
COURSE must be had to first principles Namas
cabalStic terms, and blind and slavsh devotion
to men, no matter how popular may he their
names, cannot and should not satisfy public expcc-
tatlon at this important period. The time never
was, m this country, and 1t is hoped never will be
idle, Gd cGptdRdum defamation, and ssman
worship" could prove victorious in n combat with
facts, principles, and logical and rational deduc
tons But if an excitement did exist in which
| a combination of circumstances had so aroused the
| feelings of the people of this country that the
sober functions of tho intellect were overwhelmed
by tic storm of honestly awaked passion that time
has most assurcdly passed away. The public
| mind is now too much enlightened to be deceived
by names, or TO abandon principles for the sake of
men. Indeed if it were not our boosted liberty
would be mere mockery of the term-it would
BIO species OF liberty little better than that Epyp
tan Idoatry which leads rational man TO PROSTATE
himseit before the most loathsome of the animal
creation for the purpose either of proptiating its
malignity procuring its affect OH.
The former class of politicians have been called
INC advocates of Democracy or State Rights; the
latter have hAAn nallnh -Eadnralias Consolida-
| Gonlsts. The opponents of the former doctrine
declare that it would lead to weakness and mar
chy; the opponents of the latter point to usurpa-
tioh' tyranny and dcspotism its inevitable con-
sequence. Mr.. Calhoun maintains one set of doc
lrines; Mr. Adams and Mr. Webster, the other
Each sustans his principles with tho best argu-
inehts he can produce; and each, has of course
his respective followers.
Beng one fthose who have always looked upon
Mr.. Jefferson the best cxpostor of the Federal
compact and indeed the preseIver of our political
institutions, have no hesitation in adopting the
arguments of Mr.. Calhoun as the true and only
safe exposition of our political system and of the
relative powers of the State and General Govern
mcnt.
There is one effect resulting from Mr.. Calhoun's
theory winch must be gratifying to every genuine
lover OF ms country, no matter to what political
party he may belong-thc prevention in any event
OF DIsUNIoN. This ought to be borne in mind II
is demonstrated by the Vice President and will h.
oIiuNH III TIE course OF this communication,
The Editor of the Richmond Enquirer once the
organ OF Democratic principles in Virpinia-the
advocate OF State rights, has lately openly abandon
ed those principles, and declared that he cannot
''swalow" tho doctrines so ably elucidotod - NJ
Calhoun. y WI
To those who have not minutely watched tho
movements of Mr.. Richie, for the last few years
this is considered one of tho most extraordinary
political somersets of the day; but those who know
the character Of his intellect, and who have Wow,
Mr. Van Pr,
necessity OF promoting the ''ulteror views of this
gentleman, and thereby the elevation of the con.
'istent Editor to foreign mission are lot the least
surprised at his OPEN palpabe derelictiop of nr;n
clPlc-at this base descrtion of those doctrines
which, during the third of a century Virpinia has
SO ardcntly and so ably supported
But what must arouse against Mr. Richie tho
patriotic Indignation of every friend to the Union,
ana harmony OF our common country is his extra
ordinary threat of DISUNION, while he rejects
the safe, pcaccabc, and constitutional remedy Doin
ted out by Mr.. Calhoun, in case of an infraction
by the general government, Of the federal compact
The Enquirer of the Goth Nav recommends
that convention "be called for the purpose Of CO.
operation and Of action" Mr.. Richie gives the
contending parties only the next session Of Con
gross to remove the great cause Of complaint. and
declares If it is not done, that s.lbe Union
itself, may pass under Of the deepest cclipses
winch has ever obscured it." He saws EXPRESSLY
that 'thc South viii never submit TO n continued
system oil e1action, for the cnolumcnt of some
i''uldCLuIlhg sections" Well, ACCORDING n Mr.
Ktchies doctrines, what will the South do. in case
inc general government should persist in the Tariff.
ana maintain its constitutional power TO enforce
the system Of measures which he deprecated
why Mr. Richie, in late paper gives the answer
IN the following words "Whcn the government
proceeds TO an intolcrablo oppression, when our
'onIy alternative lies between secession. nrd sub
mission to Il government without limitation Oft
powers, then, after every amicablo cxpedicnt has
been exhausted, and after due notice TO our CO.
States VIC have right to- sccedo from a povern. |
ment so perverted, and powers so abuscd.o
Inc remedy of the Enquirer therefore, in case |
OF "intocrable oppression" is ''secessionn or in
other words, disunioH; for they arc evidently con
VcrtIbIe terms. But Mr.. Calhoun says no. When |
such case arises let resort to the reserved rights
OF the States, let the State interposc for the pro
lection OF her citizens, and the preservation of The
CnioW let her suspend the unconstitutional law |
until decision is had by that tribunal which the
constitution itself has pointed out, for the zen
argemcnt or modification" of the charter IF the /
constitutional majority Of the States declare the
law to be made in accordance with the constitution
mo aggrioyed State States, submit TO its au