Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1831-12-10

estate rights, veto, qualifications or by any other name
rests on facts historically certain revolution
itself, and deductions as simple and dcmonstraiyc
as those OF any political and moral truth whasoevcr-
results, IN act from the character of the sovereign par
ties TO the compact the relation they bear 10 each other
the nature of the compact and the reservation by and 10
each OF the parties of all powers delegated 10 the c
vernment created by the compact There no where TO
be found, mastery and comprehensive summary of
these doctrines ans contained in the opinion of the former
venerable chief justice Of the state of Pennsylvania and
which unanimously eoncurrcd in, by the whole bench
OF the supreme court OF that State He declared in the
case of Cobbett. that "thc Constitution Of the United
States IL Federal is league treaty, made by the in
dridual States party and all tho States as another
party When two nations differ about the meaning of any
clause sentence, word i'm treaty, neither has an cx-
elusive right decide il, they cndcavor to adjust the mat
ter by negotiations but il it be thus Accomplished
each has right 10 retain its o,pn INSTRUMENTATION nl
reference be had the mediation of other nations an ar
bration, the fate of There is provision in the
Constitution, that an such the opinion of the
Judges Of The Supreme Court Of the United States
shall control and De conclusive: neither can the Con.
sress by law confer that power. There appears be
defect in this natter il il casus onissus which ought
in some way to be renodcd.'
The easus oniisss which this enlightened urist sup
poses to exist is one of the most conservative parts of
wholc system III was awise and mastery omisSior-be
LEFT the Interior sovereignty the States untouch-
ed. In the language of him who founded and reformed
systems elf the two departments should claim each
the same objects of power where is the umpire decide
between them! In of little urgency importance
the prudence of both parties will keep them aoo from the
questionable grounds but if il neither be avoided or
compromised, convention of the States be called
ascbe the doubtful TO that department which they
may mink best This, unqucstionably, be the only
pcaceabe yet sovereign mode of arbitration between
reigns, who carried into the compact equal powers
famed equal rights OF sovereignty But, il requires
application the part of two-hirds of the States Con-
Sress Tor the call OF convention, and minority could
never in involving the fragrant breaches
oil the compact, procure reference to this umprage by
this process follows, that the only mode of compelling
such reference is by the exercise of the great right Of
nterposiuon State veo asserted in the Resolutions
Virginia ior the purpose oil arresing the progress Of the
evil of usurpation-
The exercise of this right believe belongs TO State
in any mode in which she thinks proper her
reigny either in convention in her legislative capacity
The former may of great and Importance
be the most solemn and imposing, process impressed
by the immediate and authoritative sanction of the people
believe that far from the exercise of this right being
liable TO abuse, the salutary cheek it would Afford would
not be applied often enough, from the overwhelming in
fuencc and patronage of the General Government over
the States, and the local divisions subssng them But
alter ALL not the exercise of this right infinitely less to
be dreaded than the Legislative usurpaons interested
and sectional m2jores in the national legislature alto
gethcr irresponsible the mnories are oppressed
State, in this concderacy, be considered
as guilty OF a revolt, rebellion which arrests by her
own sovereign authority, the operation of unconsitu-
ona law within her limits than independent nation can
be said obc guilty of rebellion and revolt which .upends
the operation of essential part of treaty which has
been nfracted by the other contracting party When
is admitted that the Constitution is compact between in
dependent sovcreigns who have appointed no common
umpire to decide upon the rights they have reserved TO
themselves, and when il is conceded that an
unconstitutional law involving invasion of these rights
Is null and void, II must follow manifest deduction
ha State has rot only the right, but in duty bound
In the language of your resolution, nterpose in
us sovereign capacity Tor the of arrestng the
acts
This, we are told, would make the Union mere rope
OF sand To this it may be answered, that this objection
Is applicable TO the form of Government and not TO the
consequences doduce from its structure. That it is
confederate and not consolidated Government and ii is
enough that we have, by its adoption preferred taking the
security of eebleness in the government of the federal
league, for all purposes of internal oppression the GER
tainty OF consolidated despotism.
On this great right Of State inteposion, depends
alone the liberty happiness but the very existence of
go far
from being source of security would be of OPPRESSION
and not worth to the paper which it is written-For
IL numerical majority in Congress, with supple federal
judiciary at its back 10 alonc, the expoundcrs of
the Constitution is it obvious that they have the power
oil making this instrument, what they pease' May they
NOT after pilagng section of the Union, enrich
another interfere with the domestic policy of the States
and that too, in form the porentously perous
that the Imagination can possibly conccive?-Whst we
look back to the pages of history and what the love of
power and what anatcism have DONE where is the man
who will have the daring presumption TO lift the veil of -
tury and say, what they not capable of doing
only by the recognition and exercise, if need be, of
this effective chcc that hope preserve the fede
ravc character Of our national government. Without it.
the work of encroachment will 90 steadily of
usurpation TO- day, will become precedens furnishing
knowledgod principles of administration Tomorrow until
the rights of the States swallowed up in and ir-
reversible despotism.
Whilst am thus explicit in affirming the unquesona-
bic existence OF this right of nterposion and that
form not inconsistent with just obligations to the
Union, Ior obligations TO the Union, except-
ing those necessarily resulting FROM and founded the
powers we have clearly delegated0 would, far from
reign power rather than suggestive expedency ofsuspend
ing its exercise at the present moment
III no force be referred TO the objection of acting
IN virtue oil this high function, for the immediate annuing
OF the tariff within limits, TO those divisions which
have unhappiy existed among the good people of this
State, as to the constitutional character and probable eff
cacy OF this remedy, by the fact that each hour is diminish
differences and bringing the vast body othe people
into greater harmony and accord in regarding this form
resistance TO be conservative in its character would
prove peaceful in its operation, much may be found in
what mas anspred since your adjournment TO indicate the
policy OF pausng and awaiting the progress of events
which must be decisive Of this interesting question i'm all
its future consequences Interior relations.
Public opinion demands that some modification should
be made of the tariff, by Congress its next session.
This duty, if that body utterly regardless of the
just complaints OF overburdened people, cannot be
dcd, from the circumstance of the probable cxinguish-
mcnt Of the public debt the lat of January 1883,
without permitting surplus TO accumulate in the
Treasury, not necessary for the public wants We
arc bound TO wait until see, what this body will do
when they shall not have single pretext for denying
the blessings OF free trade andght taxation. Besides by
every sentiment of kindness and comfy towards those dele
gates from the other free trade portions of the Union, who
IN the recent convention at Philadelphia, have jealous
y and periodically cooperated in tho effort to obtain for
our country blessings essential to its liberty and happi
ness are bound to take attitude during the present
session Of Congress, that will prevent calm peaceful and
satisfactory adjustment Of this great question, which will
be submitted to its deliberations under circumstances
solemn, authoritative and imposing We must put
hazard good cause, by premature action We have the
moral force Of potent Pubc'oPinon operating in our be-