Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-01-12
From the New York american.
GEORGIA AND THE SUPREME COURT
OF THE UNITED STATES.

The resistance proclaimed BY Georgia against
the lawful jurisdiction of the Supreme Court OF
the United States, is fit nbe sustained, vir-
tual dissolution of the Union. Conceiving, then
that no question at all approaching this in import
ance, is before the public, our readers will not be
surprised FIVE again and again recur to it. Act
ing under firm conviction that an immense ma
iorty of the American people only need to be
accurately informed of the merits of this ques-
ton to insure their cordial support to the Supreme
Court, we shall endeavor, so far as we are compe-
tent to make these merits PLAIN.
Let il be understood then, that. in the first
place, the writ of error aud accompanying cita-
ton from me Supreme Court of the u. States,
against which Georgia rebels, have heretofore, in
multitude of cases, been issued by that Court,
and been acamesced in by the States. There is
scarcely one of the States. perhaps that has not
AZ some time assented to this exercise Of the ju-
risdiction of the court Virginia, in the case Of
Cohcns, a criminal case too, Maryland in the
case Of the Bank OF the United States; New York
in the case of the Steam boat Monopoly. have all
done So The proceeding, therefore abundantly
sustained BY precedent. In the second place this.
proceeding prejudges nothing. 1t does not say,
nor imply, that Georgia is wrong, or that Geor-
ola has not the power Or the rightto try and exc
cute the Indian in question; but simply, that a
man In jeopardy Ol MS tii.il lids
been thus put in jeopardy violation Of the
laws and constitution Of the United States, and
therefore the Supreme Court of the United States
whose sworn duty it is to uphold that constitution
and administer those laws throughout the Union
claiu TO re examine the decision Of the courts
of Georgia: anticipating meantime that proceed
inys would be staid. What could Georgia lose
by acquesceuce in such a coorses if,upon exami-
nation it should be found that her courts had act
ed within their sphere, justice would take its
course=<sf otherwise, they would be spared the
guissasa ignominy Of having she'd blood unlaw
fuzzy. The delay could only be in favor Of just
ice and humanity; the law maxim, that when the
death of human being is in question. no delay
can be excessive ode morie homais nuHa c,nc-
fafio Tonga est would be satisfied; and the har-
mony and symmetry of our institutions would be
preserved Georgia has determined otherwise:
she will not pause; she will not give to criminal
about to be executed the chance Of escape BY rea-
son of an unlawful conviction; but, with feet
: s@fft 10 shed blood" hurries him on to DEATH
eThe Legislature authorized the employment Of
expresses, Unnecessary, in order ''to ensure the
full execution of the laws in the case of George
Tassels!'' But the question dies not with this
individual. The citation served on the Governor
as representing the State, may or may not be az
tended to: that is an immaterial proceeding.-one
rather of courtesy, and not effecting any rights
but the ,orit Of error must be served upon the