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


then, and not till then, ''nuiltfed," to use WORD,
which appears to be so very cxceptionablo to Mr.
hitcme, though it was frequently used by Mr. JEFF.
fcrson.
This plain, pcaccablc, and patriotic mode Of do.
hnpg The limits of our charter, and of rccohcilinn
Inference between the State and General Cow
eminent, about tho limits of their respective pow
ers, the Editor of the Enquirer cannot s.svallown
out when case occurs, that would Justify such an
appeal he openly and unoqulvocaliy recommends
Iisunion, as the remedy,
Tho difference between the cure selected by Mr.
ktchie, Tor an "intclerabe" disease and that re-
commended by the Vice President. is so obvious,
ana thcr relative effects the body polite. so pal-
pablo, that 1T is unnecessary to 90 into N laborcd
argument to show their modus operCaidi Mr.
Ntchie, like an ignorant quack, destitute of sci
cnce and humanity, as of patriotism, in desperate
case, recommends deco pitation! Mr. Calhoun on
the contrary, like enlightened physician, draws
upon the ample resources of his mind; he clings TO
his patient with tho anxiety of philanthropjst
ana TREND; and IN the last resort, he prcscr hes
the only remedy that can alay danrerous excite
ments, prevent dissolution, and restore the system
TO It's wontcd health, harmony and happiness.
ct MIR. Ritchie has the impudence TO say, no is
still the advocate of State Rights; but when he is
pressed TO tell what those rights are, ho tells that
they consist in tho right of secession" which is
tantamount to disunon or rebellion. Now this is
right that the widest advocate of consolidation
and the supreme authority of the u. States court
never questioned Every man of common sense
L., because IL Is natural, inherent right
NO one therefore, but dwelling imbecilc, or n
political prostitute, who imag ined that his readers
hau not sufficient intelligence to detect his pitiul
suberiugc, would resort TO estate Rights for the
power TO do what man, in all countries, and under
all governments, has inherent right to do when
oppression becomes ''intolcrable." Those who are
IN favor of disunion, with all the evils that NAV
follow, Will adopt the doctrines of Mr.. Richie; but
every patriot, every statesman, every friend to the
"nion of the States the prrmancncy of our nation
C., md l,,rr, oc
common country, will look to tho measure recon-
mcndcd by MIR. Calhoun, us the only rational reme
dy, II ever that unfortunate crisis should arise
when the application of ethor will be necessary
10 protect us from 'intolcrabe oppression" If the
reserved rights of the States, cannot protect their
cilizens against the oppression of an unconstitu-
tonal law of Congress, then it is mere mockery to
talk about them. They in effect, and for all
useful purposes, nullty. Like 4 rattle TO a child
their sound might amuse the Editor of the Enquirer,
and soothe the natural timdity of his mental and
corporal weakness; but would venture to affirm
That every intelligent man in Virginia looks upon
Such an application of them, as the nane cffusion
OF mind incapable of graspin q the subject il un
dertakcs to examinc-a mind unable 10 nnalvze
great general principles, to point out the effect
OIL important political measures, the future ope-
rations of our system of government
L he curious might be disposed to ask what has
led the Editor of the Enquirer to this last ITO
sone) unexpected evolution in his political tactics
mo solution is easy. He is pledged to the cutie
nor views OF the ''littlc ma gician." He looks to
him for promotion. But he knows that Mr. Van
i'uren was one OF those who voted for the present
tariit, which has so much distracted our country
and impoverished the South. Ifthe measure poin-
ted out by MIR. Calhoun, should succeed in remo-
wing the evil, and harmonizing the country the re-
suit would prove propitious To the future hopes
of the Vice President, as they would prove
unfavorahle to the ''arch ma gician." Hence Mr.
RItchio abandons all his former principles, and
points 10 ''secession," disunion rebellion, rather
IL
should be obtained through the reserved rights of
the States, and thereby interfere with the future
elevation OF his favoritc-onc of tho very men who
a'ded by their votes in reducing our country to its
present deporable condition. Whether such a
course on the part of Mr.. Richie be consistent
with his former professions, whether it is cha.
ractcrstic of the incendiary patriot the people
of Virginia will determine
IL is admitted by all that to grant to the Su-
preno Court the right of deciding on all questions
us well political, those sscases in law and equity
arising under Ithel constitution, the laws of the u
states and the treaties made which shall be made
under Its duthority'-would be to make the Fede
raj government the sole Judge of its own acts; and
Tho establishment of this doctrine it is contended
must ultimately lead to consolidation. This is
considerea by our Jeffersonan Republicans as the
Charybdis ofthe Federal Government; on the
IIaTy, inc advocates of consolidation see in the
practical operation of state rights, the SyIn on
which all our national spendor and glory will be
wrecked
The Vice President sustains his doctrines of
state rights by the opinions developed in the cele-
6rated Virginia Resolutions of '99, by those of Mr.
Jefferson, Judge Mexican of Pennsylvania and C.
ven Judge Marshall himself, who has, it is well
known, never been enemy TO n strong central
government. Mr.. Jefferson saws that the States
are 1.-THE rightful judges of the IN ode and measure
OF redress" He says further, "with respect to
the State and Federal Governments, do not think
thelr relations are correctly understood by foreign
e's' 1hGy suppose the former, subordinate to the
latter. This is not the case. They arc co-ordi-
nate departments of one simple and integral whole
but you may ask, if the two departments should
claim each the same subject of power, where is
the umpire to decide between them? In cases of
niue urgency or Importance, the prudence of both
parties will keep them aloof from the duestiona
Die ground; but If 1t neither be avoided nor
compromised, convention of the States must be
called to ascribo the doubtful power to that de-
Partment, which they may think bestn Chief JUS
ice Mexican delivering the unanimous opinion of
the supreme Court of Pennsylvania, in the case of
the Republic against Cobbett, s equally explicit and
conclusive. He says, "should there be any defect
I'm this form of government, or any collision occur
1T cannot be remcded by the sole act of the Con-
gross or ola state; the people be rcsorted to for
enlargement or modification. If II State should
'differ with the u. States about the construction
'oi thcm, there is no common umpire but tho pco
pie, who would Just the affair by making n
'Inendments In the constitutional way, or suffer
IRON the defect. In such case the constitution
oi tho u States is FEDERAL; it is u league or trca
ty rnado by the individual States as one party g. nv
al the states rs another party. "ssa&sss ''There
rs no provision in the constitution, that in such
"a case tho Judges of the Supreme Court Of the
~. States shall control and be conclusive neither
can the Congress by law confer that power" &C.
These are high and unquestionable authorities
ana when taken in connection with the powerful