The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1831-1858, 1831-10-19
From the Pendleton, Is. c. Messenger.
MIR. CAJHOJTN,S SENTIMENTS

From the Pendieton, Is. c. Messenger.
MR.. CALHOUN'S SENTIMENTS.
Mr.. EDIroR-T must request you to permit me
to use your columns, as the medium to make known
my sentiments on the deeply important question of
the relation, which the States and General Gov |
eminent bear 10 each other, and which is at this
time, subject of so much agitation.
1t Is one OF the peculiarites of the station occu-
py that while it necessarily connects its incumbent
with the politics of the day, it affords him no op-
Portunity officially to express his sentiments except
accidentally on an equal division of the body over
which he presides. He is thus exposed as have |
often experienced, to have his opinions enormously
ana Varlously represented. In ordinary cases I |
CONCEIVE the correct course to be to remain silent
leaving to time and circumstances the correction
OF Interpretations but there are occasions SO
vitality important, that regard both to duty and |
character would seem to forbid such a course; and
sIch, conceive, to be the present. The frequent
ailus'ons to my sentiments, will not permit me to
doubt, that such also is the public conception and
hat II claims the right to know in relation to the
question referred to, the opinions of those, who
hold important official stations while on nv part
desiring to receive neither unmerited praise nor
oame, feel, trust, the socitude, which every
| honest and independent man ought that my senti-
ments should be truly known. whether they be such
as may be calculated to recommend them to public
favor or not. Entertaining these impressions, |
have concluded, that it is my duty to make known
!
which on reflection seemed to be the most simple
and best calculated to effect the object in view
| The question Of the relation, which the States
ana GENERAL Government bear to each other is not
one OF recent origin From the commencement of
our system 1t has divided public sentiment Even
In the convention, while the constitution was strup-
gng INTO existence, there were two parties as to
what this relation should be- whose different senti.
ments constituted no small impeachment in forming
that instrument After the general government
1tl,o
the question had not terminated with the labors of
the convention. The great struggle that preceded
the political revolution of 1901 which brought Mr.
Jefferson into power, turned essentially on it and
the doctrines and arguments on both sides were en-
bodied and ably sustained on the one, in the Vir-
gina and Kentucky resolutions, and the report TO
the Virginia legislature and on the other in the
replies of the legislature OF Massachusetts, and some
OF the other States These resolutions and this re-
port, with the decision of the Supreme Court of
Pennsylvania about the same time particularly in
the case of Goblet, delivered BY chief Justice NJ
kean, and concurred in by the whole bench) con-
tain what believe TO be the true doctrine on this
important subject. | refer to them, in order to
avoid the necessity of presenting my views with
the reasons IN support of them, in detail.
As my object is simply to state my opinions, l
might pause with this reference to documents that
so fully and ably state all the points Immediately
connected with this deeply important subject but
as there are many, who may not have the opportu-
Z,
however clear they may be- that different persons
may place different interpre tations on their mean
ing, will in order that my sentiments may be full
ly known, and to avoid all ambiguity, proceed to
state summarily the doctrines which conceive
they embrace
Their great and leading principle is that the gen.
eral government emanated from the people of the
several States, forming distinct political commune
ties and acting in their separate and sovereign ca
pacity, and not from all of the people forming
afa inf i'm
ton of the United States is IN fact compact, to
which each State is party, in the character al
, ready described; and that the several States or
parties have right to judge OF its niractlons, and
in case of deliberate, papabe, and dangerous ex-
ercse OF power not delegated they have the right
in the last resort, to the language of the Vir
guia resolutions " to interpose for arresting the
progress 9th erH, and for maintaining tcithin
their respective limits the authorities rights, and
liberties dpperta,ning 10 Memn This right of in
terposltion thus solemnly asserted by the State OF
Virginia, be it called what it may State right, veto
notification, or by any other name, | conceive to
be the fundamental principle Of system resting
on facts historically as certain as our revolution it
self, and deductions, as simple and demonstrative
as that OF any political, or moral truth whatever
and firmly believe that on its recognition depend
the stability and safety of our political institutions
7 am not ignorant that those opposed to the doc
trlne have always, now and formerly, regarded It'll
very different light, anarchical and revolution
dency, to Inc it would be no recommendation.
yield to none, trust, in deep and sincere attach
ment to our political institutions, and the union
S these States. never breathed an opposite sent
!, ment; but on the contrary, have ever considere
: them the great Instruments of preserving libe
u ty, and promoting the happiness of ourselves an
s our posterity; and next to these have ever hel
y them most dear Nearly half my life has passed i
o the service ofthe Union, and Whatever public reT
e utation have acquired, is ndissolubly idenhhe
with it. To be too national has, indeed, been con
sidered by many even of my friends, 10 be m
Us greatest political fault. With these strong feel
II lngs of attachment | have examined with the ut
lr most care the bearing OF the doctrine ID question
A.. and so far from anarchical, revolutionary, sol
ri EMMY believe it to be the only sold ounuatioh
y, our system, and of the Union ITSELF and that th'
'e opposite doctrine which denies 10 the states the
~ right protecting their reserved powers ana "hlci
III would vest in the general government, w iiSen
IN not through what Department. the fisht Oh 9eVe.
Of mining exclusively and finally the powers deiega
ed to it. is incompatible with the sovereignty OF tnt
States and If the constitution ITSELF considered as
I'll the basis Of federal union. AS strong as ms
u language is not stronger than tha' used py Tue
- iustrous Jefferson, who said, to give 1ie sene, a.
ot government the final and exclusive rgn' 10 1uuge
n OF its powers, is to make us asc'eO. any no
- the Constitution the measure o. us p0ooS' anu
IL that in all eases of compact 6efpee. parseshao
lot ing no common Judge, each parry mas an e9a"'
e. right TO nudge for Itself as tceH@ nc operanom,
40 as of the mode and measure Of reaTesSl
nm cSnnot be more explicit nor Ga" i's"N
- be adduced .,;od -, ,b;s
lid subject consider, but as an add'onm y,
The great diversity of the human in'sneSl' h c
" not able, experienced, and pairiotc
=: ,yhnm have the highest respect taken oinerehs
III va,vs I would have thought the right too clear TO
'ar dm;t If doubt; but am taught by TINS, as Wen as
We by many similar instances, to treat WIN oeerehce
oo;nions differing from my own. The error may