Virginia free press & farmers' repository. [volume] (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1827-1832, 1831-09-01

what * may, state right, veto, nullili-
cation. or by any other name, I con-
cc've TO be the Fundamental principl-
OF our system. resting on facts hisror-
ica'ty as certain. as our revolution
itself, and deductions, as simple and
as that Of any political
or moral truth whatever; aud firmly
believe that on its recognition depends
the safety at our political institutions.
atm not ignorant that those opposed
tn the doctrine have always. now and
formerly. regarded il in a very differ
ent light, as anarohica! and revolution
airy. Could ! believe such ia fact To
be ITS tendency,to me il would be no
recommendation yield to none, I
trust.in deep and sincere attachment
Ia our political institutions, and the
Union of these States. l never breath
, ed an Opposite sentiment: but on the
contrary, nave considered the IN the
great instruments Of preserving our
liberty; ard next to these. ] have ever
held item most dear. Nearly hnlfmy
Life has passed in the service of the
Union, and whatever public reputation
have acquired. is indissoiublv henti-
fied with II. To be too national las.
indeed, been considered by ulanv.e,en
OF my friends. 10 be my creates, po-
l;ncal fault. With these strong feel
incs Of attachment, have exsmined
wi,h the utmost care, the bearing Of
the doctrine IN question: aud 30 far
from anaichical or revolutionary.
so!emn'y believe il TO be tie only solid
foundation of our system, and of the
Union itseif.and that the opposite doc
trinc, which denies to the States the
right OF protecting their reserved pow
ers. and which wonld vest In the G. n
eral Government (it matters rot thro'
what Department. the right Of deter
mining exclusively and finally the pow
crs delegated to tits Incompatible with
/, the sovereignty of the States, and Of
the Constitution itself; considered rs
the basis Of q Federal Union. As
strong as this language -, il is not
stronger than that used by The il!ustri-
Gus Jefferson, who said, 10 give the
General Government the final aud ex-
elusive right 10 judge Of is powers. is
TO make "its discretion and MOI Tie
Consfitafion he measure of is po1ccrs;''
and. that "ia all eases Of compact Is
freen Pcrties haring no common JYdgc.
each poTy las an cquo! right 10 j,,dse
for ifself. as ureK IF tie operation. as Of
ne n'ede and measnre 4 re9rtss -
Language cannot DC inore explicit, nor
can higher authority be adduced.
That different opinions are enter
tanned on this subject, | consider but
A. an additional evidence oi the "rca-
diversity OF the human intellect. Had
not able, experienced and patri, tic IN
dividuals. FOR bonn have the highest
respect, taken different views. Y, ull
have thought The right TOO clear 10 adj
NIT Of doubt; jut am taught by this.
, as vel! - by many similar instances,
"a treat with difference cpinions offer
iuS from my own. Tie error MAJ
possibly be with me but II 40, can
only say, that after the most mature
conscientious examinations. have not
been able 10 detect IL. Bgt With all
proper Difference. must think, fhat
theirs Is the error, wbo deny y hat seems
10 be an essential attribute 90 tie
General Government. a right utterly
Incompatible with what all acknow-
ledge 10 &c ~ limited and restricted
Character; au error originating pTin-
cipally. a. | must tinRk, N not duly
rejecting on the nature 81 our iustitu-
tons, and an What constitutes the oulr
rational object Of all political Con-
.stItB'ions.
]; has been vel sad by orc Of the
most srgaoious men cf antiquitv, that
the ooleot 81 Constitution 70 10 re-.
strain he soterD,7spf. dsfh0f If iaps
is ~ restrain ioaicidUais. The re.
marx - correct. nor - " less true.
where The eo,scnment - vested 10 a
majority. than where II is IN a single
or few Individuals; IN republic.
thAn NOM coy Or sristoerary. No
ohe can have higher respect for a
maxim. that a msjonty tuehttogoyern,
than ! have. taken in'iis proper sense.
subject 90 the restrictions inpa.ed bv
tie Constitution. Gni confined 20 sub
ijecis m which every part ~ he COM
mOniiy have slpi.8r irferrs but e
lis great error 20 furposs. q. many do,
that ibe figit r. a majority - govern ia
\ nat9rIl and Gsta conventional fipht
and, ihel eiore, absolute and unlimIisd.
BynAture every lrd 'vidgal iss .rr r.ghg
% govern himself, and governments.
whether founded on msiafi,lrs, orr nj
luofiiirs. must derive their riahts (roua
the assent expressed Or implied. ofihs
governed. and be s4bieet 20 such lint
iations - they r1sy impose. Where
'he interests sfe the same, tbatis.whsrs
The laws that msy benefit sns, will
benefit All, or the feserse. q 10 just and
proper 20 place them 0nCsr the con.