Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1832-08-21
TELL.
TO THE EDITORS OF TIE EMO UIRER.
THE VIRGINIA DOCTRINES,
Not .NiilIifcGfio,

Since writing my first number have seen an account
OF mr. McDuiiles speech recently delivered Edge
hei IN South Carolina, in Which that gentleman with
manly ranknes avowed the opinion that he did not then
nor had he ever, considered notification as constitution.
al remedy but as calculated to resist the tariff law,
WtoW 'he state on It's own resources To candid
qurer and 10 mind Of as much perspcuity as Mr.
Mods am not at at all surprised, that il could not be
presented in any other light Paint the doctrine with
what colors You please TO this complexion come
al last 1t is unailoyed, unmgated Revolution and
hng else II is then brought 10 this enquiry: IRE the
People 81 SO'th Carolina prepared fo1 revolution? Let
this, the true issue, be made up and persuaded tina,
the people OF that State when the eryor ebuon
the moment shall subsde will BE prepared to decide in
the negative They knew not the precpicc, TO the brink
OF which they have been hurried
They have been told that this Modification was 20 CO.
yer them with glory but they did not know that this To-
ry G indeed il is an igns fatus was TO be achev-
3D. iIconcts Win their idends and 10 be consu,ninaied
by the overthrow OF The Union, and Of the Government
their country. But, whatever may be the decision of
South Carolina, feel convinced that there is no party in
virginia who will be the advocates of Dsunion Dill
ienng as they may do in the politics of The day. know
mat there are but very few indeed, who themselves
friendly TO the heresy Of notification The idea. then,
mat tins IS pacific or constitutional remedy, he
abandoned; and lis advocates the standard
nnihcaiion OF resistance or rep0ltition-
And II be raised, shall who it is who will
prefer 1t to the s'ar-spanglcd banner Of the Union.
Having endeavorcd TO demonstrates that qualification
not peaceful or constitutional remedy, proceed
CURE whether there is aiy trGrrdnf foT The assertion
mat there rs any identity, euen sniliiule 6etceen
ms @ocH'"e GHd mat conended for, at any time. in
prgfn'0 II has been a favcriie theme of defamation
WIN Tins new sect that example first taught tle
south Caruliuans, the doctrine OF State Rights and that
notification is only emanaon from the lessons which
we have given this subject IL we arc the head of the
Church. they treat rather cavalierly when they eny
Tie authority oil our opinions indeed when they
us OF being aposiaes from our own principles But in
TRUTH this doctrine never maintained in Virginia IT.
vain may the Resoutionsor Report OF Mr. adson adopted
ny the virginia Assembly any OF the debates which
took place at the me any contemporary history of pub
lie proceedings be searched find any such doctrine
vocaed, or even alluded TO- Nor il be found, in any
ed by the Assembly in relation the conflicting powers
OF the State and General Governments The total alb
sence OF the recognition of any such doctrine, is strong
proof on the suhject.-Itis well known TOO, that Mr.
Madison, the author of the Report, has both public
wluen declarations as well as in private conversation
denied that any thing in II, intended coWld be fair
W Interpreted TO sanction such doctrines as those
which has been attempted TO he perverted. Indeed
has been confidently said that this excellent and enliph-
tened man. views with great inquetudc and the
proceedings in South Carolina
Can any acquainted with the acts Of the Virginia
Assembly, allege with any shew of TRUTH that it, in any
instance contemplated resort 10 force violence,
revolutionary In in which their re-
sentiment was most aroused in which the violation oil
the Constitution, most indelensible? It's well known
that Mr. Madisons Resolutions were produced by the pas.
sage OF the famous Alien ant Sedition Laws These laws
were believed by The Republican party in this State he
papable and agrant violations Of the Constitution The
Sedlon Jaw IN particular was exceedingly odious as IL
struck directly at the freedom of the press nd was cac.
lated II not intended TO prevent the discussion Of public
measures, or an examination of the of the then adj.
minsralion, by whose friends passed. On the 2lsi
Of December, 1908, resolutions and protest declaring tic
two obnoxious acts unconstitutional, passed the House
Delegates; AMI m them appeal made 10 the Other
STATES whose cooperation to obtain repe0 of these
was requested The Legislatures of many Of the
other States, adopted resolutions only refusing TO CO.
operate with Virginia, hut expressing strong censure
her conduct in undertaking 10 declare the opinion thai
these laws unconstitutional and denouncine such de-
caraiion as understandable interference with the rights
and powers OF the General Government and an usurpa-
ton OF authority on the part Of our Legislature.
At the next session, when Mr.. Madison was a member
IN
Of which he was chairman his celebrated Report In which
he replied 10 the arguments contained IN the resolutions
the other STATES vindcated with great power of
ng the resolutions Of the preceding Legislature and de-
mond'ed the proprety Of any States passing resolutions
decaratory OF its opinion, that Of the General Go
ing the other States, 10 unite the declaration This
constitutional exercise Of power in the States, who,
he properly contended, original parties 10 the fede
raj compact and had right Judge, when il VIC
lated.
The effort 10 operate on public opinion, appea
to the good sense and love Of liberty of The people,
through their 10 effect repeal Of The ohiectiona
bic measures There was idea expressed Of an inten
ton to resort TO force 10 adopt revolutionary IL
their character On The contrary the whole Of these
solutions, az well those which preceded them, were
marked with the most seduous cndeavors 10 manifest Il
the world, that tie enlightened and patriotic men WIN
passed them, meant TO proceed with the most guard
ed caution; that they devoted the union Of ~,
states and the preservation Of the Constitution, tho bash
Of mat union Lett be remembered, that these resolution
were passed. and THE Report adopted period Of grea
political excitement and that the acts which had passed tn,
Congress, leveed at that sacred Palladium
all ont rights, the freedom Of the Press. To mark tht
sense which the committee had of the nature Of IN