Alabama state intelligencer., 1831-10-29
FREE l [. .pl. CoNyLNTloN.

after adopting an address to the people of the United States, which will be found below. It is from the pen of Mir Berrien and was, it is sald delivered in very impressive manner The Address was adopt ed by vote of 153 to 29, after rejecting. by vote of 149 to 32 motion of Mir Gallatin strike from it that part which suggests the unconsiutionaIity of the Tariff A committee appointed, of which Mir Gaatn is chairman, to prepare and present a Memorial to the next Congress. Much disappoint- ment is expressed in consequence ofthe adjournment of the Convention without any speeches.
 Report to the People of the United States.
 A portion of your fellow-czens resident in diff ferent States of the Union, who are numerous, re- spectacle and intelligent who like yourselves, are attached to the principles of free government and ardently devoted to the great constitutional charter, which consecrates and upholds them-whc ask only an equal participation in the benefits, andare ready to bear an equal share of the burhens of tie govern ment-who are willing moreover, to c0ncede to oth- CTS perfect right to the full enjoyment ofwhateyer they ask for themselves; such portion fyor fellow citizens, whose condition, character, moives and views are thus faithfully delineated, have deputed us to represent them on an occasion deeply interesting to their feelings as men; and vitally important to their interests citizens of this great conederated Republic, They have called upon us 10 mite our
 
 which they labor; and have enjoined it upn us as duty, to omit no means for the accomplishment of this object which may consist with our obligations ci- tizens and with lheir faithful and arthnt deyo- ton to the bond of our common Union. lnthe per formance of d duty like thiswe cannot be insensbie to the propriety of frank and respectful chmmuni- cation with our fellow-citzens at large. We are members of the same great political family Our | interests are common. and so also are oufdutles and it cannot be that any portion of our brethren can desire to withhold from our just share of pc oene- fits or to subject to an undue proporlld of the burthens which flow from the government under which we live We have equal confidence their justice and ntelligence and assure ourseve that 1t is only necessary to bring home to their undrstand- ings the conviction fthe evils under whiclwe sui fer to secure thel cordial cooperation in prompt and effectual measures for their removal. w would commune with you, then, in the spirit of thse feel l ings We must speak with frankness. ltmay be that our language will borrow strength fronthe con- viction of our wrongs, but we will not orgethe just respect which is due to those who differ irm us Tn | opinion and cannot be unmindful of the tfection which we bear, and which we earnestly esire to cherish towards our brethren throughout tn Union.
 The representatives of portions of our ie eow-clti- zens, belonging to fifteen different State of ths conederacy, have assembled in the city of lfadel- phia to consider the grievances under which Py sui fer under the existing tariff of duties, ana 10 tevlse, if happily they may do so, some constltttoni and peaceful mode ofredress. Speaking generally they have come together as strangers to each other with all the variety of opinions on most subjects, which springs from different habits and pursuits, ands per haps inevitably incident to the imperlection if our common nature On expressing quesoi, that which constitutes the subject of this address, Joking well to its principles as its details, they havdound q concurrence ofopinion which, as they beiele en- titles them 10 ask for that opinion, and for e req Il. "A 1.1 att, 1,r passionate consideration of the American people.
 1 Among the evils which flow from the tariff sTstem as at present established by law, the ardent ;ld de- termined opposition to that system, which exists r various parts of the Union,-the deep andsettled disconent which is felt and has been manifested l9 numerous, patriotic and intelligent portion of r fellow citizens fail to awaken the liveest sollctude of every lover of his country. Let il be remembered that this is transient feeling--the offspring of momentary exctement,-one which may be expected to pass away under the influence o more calm and dispassonate reflection. No--the system of which complain is not of recentorigin and the feelings of dscontent, which was coeNl with its institution time and experience have only served to strengthen and increase Let those who sncere- ly desire to perpetuate the political besslhgswhch enjoy look to this consideration with th' atten- ton which it demands. This Is emphancalS go- vernmen, of opinion. The vigor of the lays Is a moral force The bond which unites us Is the sense of our common interest-the conviction of our equal rights-the of our capacity to assert and the feeling that actually enjoy them. 'Taie from any considerable portion of the Amercan people the consciousness that they in the ul possession of their rights as lreemen; substitute fort le spirit of dscontent, which springs from the cdlvictlon of wrongs inflicted, not inadvertently, but with delbe- ration. which are not temporary but endirng; and you array against the government lorcewflch Is of like character with that which sustans i-you ava ken feeling of resentment which IS koaded into activity by of oppression, and enbittered by the recollection that it is the hand of bnher which infictst Such is the feeling which pervi1esa nnme- and respectable portion 1.-the Amerran people, It cannot be denied and may not be dsre arded with out putting to hazard the safety of the c,nlederacy. Do you doubt its existence, lts natureor degree Look to the character of this assembly, the cir | cumstances under which it convened. Give your attention to the history of the past, and beadmonish- ed of the novel and extraordinary spectade which is presented to your view. Do not close ydlr eyes to the fact that this assembly is altogether without pa rallel since the foundation of the government-hal we are freemen and the representavesd freemen who speak to you of our violated righs-that we have come from different and distant parts of the Union, to join in demanding their restlttbon-lhat consciousness of strength is the ofsprTs of united counses-and that our purpose is not tie less firm because it is announced to you peacefully and in the | spirit of conciliaton.
 | numerous and respectable portion of the Ame- rcan people do not merely complain thit this system is unjust, but they question the right b establish it They do not doubt-they utterly deny-the consttu tional power of Congress to enact it. In justice to that body, we invite your candid attention to bre consideration of their views on this subject. The constitutional validity invalidity of al act of Con- gress does not necessarily depend uponthe question whether the judicial department of the government would affirm the one or the other of tese proposi- tions. It may be that an act will its operation and effect be subvesive of the principles ohe constitu- tion and yet on it's face be superior to al just cxcep ton on that ground. Literally and in erms it may be in execution of an expressly granted Power-in