Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-03-28


ed from repetition of such impertinences.
Ae
TcoMMuNIcATEp.
William NJ. McCarty, Esq. senator from the
District composed Of the counties OF Fairfax and
I,oadoun, entered the following Protest against
the amendment to the bill entitled, "An act, to
incorporate the Sraunton and Potowmac Rail
Road Company" which was proposed by Mr..
Dromgoole, and agreed to BY the Senate Of Fr-
gnia, on Saturday last.
Sind provided, also, That nothing in this act
contained, shalt be construed so as to authorize
the commissioners designated in the first section,
10 empower the Staunton and POtowmac rail
road company to receive any subscription of
stock on the part of the Government of the Unit
ed States; and should the said company permit or
receive any such subscription, all rights and priv
ileees herein granted, shall thereupOn cease and
determine"
MUTARE VEL TIMERE SPERNo.
The Government of the United States from its
foundation to the present time, has claimed and
exercised the power, either to make, or to aid, IN
the construction of works Ofinternal Improvement.
The most enlightened statesmen of all parties, in
GLIDING all our Presidents, have conceded this
power, and the Legislature OF Virginia has done
much to sanction the construction, anu to invite
within her border, the application of Federal
Funds In the winters of 1896 and 1927, our
Legislature passed certain resolutions, which
sought to establish an opposite construction OF
the Constitutional powers of the General Govern
ment How far these resolutions have contribu-
ted to the encouragement Of the multiplying doc
trines of sister State, or how far they were in
tended to pave the way for the adoptioni of the
principles embraced in this an endment, would.
here be Improbable enquiry. 1t will be 81 tfcent
for the present occasion, TO remark, that these
Resolutions, not having the binding force and Ell
feet Of lar, the minority in this state were left
free to indulge in their own opinions. aud to re-
ceive from the Federal Government any aid, to
which they might consider themselves, legally
and Cons,itutionally entitled. But majority
oe the senate have done by law, that which could
s.. be effected by the former resolutions. Those
s'1es,ions argued the question, and persuaded
a.,sassnority to give up their opinions. This taW
.>sthout argument or persuasion, commands them.
&c they shall still refuse to surrender their opn
ions, and renounce the just claims upon the Cen
eral Government, they are told, that they shall
never more have from the state Legislature, an
act of incorporation to construct roads, on which
Ia transport their crops to market. IT this hu-
initiating condition be not complied with, they are
told that their ''rights and privileges" Ia such
an act Of Legislative protection, I" shall thereup
on cease and determine" The avowed objects OF
this amendment. as stated by the mover, are, to
annihilate the power of Congress over this sub
ject, and to preserve our citizens from the con-
Eliminating influence of the unconstitutional acts
of the General Government"
There is certainly, wide difference, between
nullfying the po,eer Of Congress to pass law, &
nullifying the lac after it is passed. The former
.ln.lf Ear, In pfI mn INT
The latter, is that contended for in South Caro-
lima. 10 both, am decidedly opposed. But the
means, by which, the former is to be accomplish
ed, are mote objectionable, than those, which have
been indicated, for the accomplishment OF the
latter. The power of congress over this subject
is to be annihilated, by iegisatins the minority
ont of their conscientious convictions, that Con-
gress has the power to aid them m their patriotic
and laudable efforts, to construct works OF public
and general utility. As Citizens OF the Union,
contributing their fair proportions to the public
purse, they believe that they are entitled, with
other citizens Of other states, to fair participation
in the legitimate disbursement Of the common
treasure. They believe that they owe to the
Federal Government, the same allegiance, that
they owe to ths State Government, and they
feel for both like affection. They believe that
they are equally bound to sustain these Govern
ments, and that they have IN turn, an equal claim
upon their patronage and support, IN their res
pectiye spheres of action, But this amendment
demands as the price, Of an act of incorporation
from the State Government, the surrender oil their
opinions, together with their pecuniary ''rlshts
and privileges in the Federal Government.
The amendment is intended also, to preserve
them, against their will, from the communicating
influence of the unconstitutional acts OF the gen.
eral Government"
Thus, have the Senate. considered itexpedient,
by an Act of Assembly, prescribe for the minor
ity, particular forms Of thought. and OF action
to tpreserve them FROM communicating III
auence" which they cherish, with all the fond
ness Of an ardent and devoted patriotism Hence