Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-10-30

the authority OF the fundamental law OF the state,
such as was never presented to tho public view,
and tho public astonshmcnt even by Notification
itself Its first appearance is i'll the VEro Message.
Melancholy and lamentablc, indeed, Sir. is
our condition, when at a moment of serious dan
yer and wide spread alarm, such sentiments are
found to proceed from the Chief Magislnete of the
Government. Sir. / cannot feel that the Consti-
tuition is safe in such hands. l cannot feel that
the present administration is its fit and safe guardi-
an.
the President is himself opposed to the doct rnes
of Notification? l do nut say to the political
party, which now pushes those doctrines, but to
tho doctrines themselves. Has he any where
buked them? Has he any where discouraged them?
Has his influence been cxcrtcd to inspire respect
for the Constitution, and to produce obedience to
the lawsl Has he followed the bright examples of
his predecessors has no held fast by the institutions
of the Country, has he summoned the good and the
wise around him. has he admonishcd the Country
that the Union is in danger, and called all the
patriotic to come out IN its support? Alas! Sir,
we have nothing, nothing, Of all this.
Mr.. President, shall not discuss the doctrine of
Notification. L am sure ii can have friends
here. Gloss it and disguise it we may, it is u
pretence incompatible with the authority of the
Constitution. 1t direct separation DO not its only
mode of operations separation is nevertheless it's
direct consequence. That q State NAV nullfy n
law of the Cnion that she may have Senators and
Representatives in the Government, and vet be at
liberty TO disobey and resist that Government; that
she may partake in the common councils, and vet
not be bound by their results; that she may control
law of Congress, so that it shall be one thing,
with her, while it is another thing with the Of
the States; al these propositions seem TO he so
absolutely at war with common sense and reason
that do not understand how AIRY intelligent per-
son can yield the slightest assent to them. Nulll.
hcation, 1t is in vain to attempt to conceal it, is
dissoluton it is disme rment; it is the breaking
up of the Union. If it shall practically succeed, in
any one State, from that moment there arc twenty
four States in the Union no longer. Now, sir, /
think it exceedingly probable that the President
bis original party, which now constitutes what is
called the Notification party. think it likely he
will oppose the proceedings of that party, if they
shall adopt measures, coming directly in conflict
with the laws of the Uni ed States. But how will
he oPpose1 What nM be his course ofrenedy?
SIR, wish to call the attention of the meeting and
o. the people. earnestly to this question, hop ,ciu
ne President attempt to put dozen Notification, if
he shall attempt tai dfL.
Sir, for one, l protest in advance against such
remedies us have heard limited. The administra
ton itself keeps profound silence, but its friends
have spoken for it. We told, Sir, that the Pre-
s'ds"t 'otH 'mmediateiy employ the military force,
aud at once blockade Charleston. A military re-
medy, remedy by direct bclgerent operation
has been thus suggested, and nothing else has been
as the intended means of preserving
the Union. Sir, there is no little TO think
that this suggestion is true. We cannot be alt ope
theT unmindful of the fact; and therefore VIC can
not be altogether unapprehensve for the future
For one, Sir, raise my voice beforehand, against
the unauthorized employment Of military power,
and against superceding the authority of the laws,
by an armed force, under pretcnce of putting down
Notification. The President has no authority TO
blockade Charleston; the President has no authori-
y to employ military force, till he shall be duly re-
lnired SO To do by law, and by the civil authori-
les His duty is, to cause the laws to be exccu
ed His duty rs, to support the civil authority.
Ills duty Isl IT the laws be resisted, 10 employ the
military force of the ry, if necessary for their
support and execution; but to do all this in con
pilance only with law, and with decisions of the
If, by any ingenious devices those who
resist the laws escape from the reach of judicial
authority, as IT is provided 10 be exercised, il
Is entirely competent to Congress to make such
new provisions as the exigency of the may de-
mand. These provisions undoubtedly will I've made.
With constitutional and efficient head of the
government, with an administration really and tru-
y in favor of the Constitution the country can
grapple with Notification. BY the force OF rea-
son. by the progress OF enlightened opinion, by
The NATURAL genuine patriotism of the country,
and by the steady and well sustained operations of
law, the progress of disorganation may be
successfully checked, and the Union maintain
ed. Let 1t be remembered that where Nuifca.
iion Is most powerful, it is not unopposea
Let it be remembered that they who would break
up the Union by force, have to march toward
that object through thick ranks of as brave and
good men as the country can rasc men, strong in
character strong in intelligence strong in the pu-
rity OF their own motives, and ready, always ready
to sacrifice their fortunes and their lives TO tho
preservation of the Constitutional Union Of the
States. If we can relieve the country from am ad-
nIn.stration, which denies 10 the Constitution
those powers which the breath of its lifc if we
can place tho Government in the hands of its
friends, IT VIC it against the dangers of
irregular and unlawful and military force; if il ca
be under the lead of an Administrations where mo-
Goraton' hrmness' and wisdom shall inspire conf
dence and command respect, we may yet surmount
the dangers, numerous and formidable as they are
which surround us.
AND, Sir, L see little prospect of overcoming
'nese Dangers without change Of men. After
All mat has passed. the reelection of the present
Executive viii give the national sanction to scnt
ments, and to measures, which will ehectuallv
change the government; which, in short must de-
stroy the Government. If the President be re-
elected, with concurrent and cooperating MAORI.
tics in both Houses of Congress, do not sec that
IN iour years more, all the power, which is suffered
to remain in the Government, will not be holden
by the Executive hand. Notification will proceed
pr viii be put down by power as unconstitutional
rs Itself. The revenues will be managed bV n
treasury Bank. The use of tho VETo will he con
,ldered as sanctioned by the public voice The
Senate, 1T not "cut down." will be bound down;
md commanding the Army and the Navy, and
holding oil places of trust TO be party property
what will then be left, Sir, for Constitutional re
ince7
Sir we have been accustomed TO venera,e the
and to rcpose hopes of safety on that
branch OF the Government. But let US not deceive
ourselves. The Judicial power cannot stand, for
long time, against the Executive power The
Judges, 1T is true hold their places by an indepen
dent tenure; but they mortal. That which is
Ihe common lot OF humanity, must make it neccs
'ary to renew the benches oC Justice Aud how
viii they be filled7 Doubtless, Sir, they win be
filled by incumbents, agreeing with the President.
in his constitutional opinions, If the Court is felt
IS an obstacle doubtless the FIRST opportunity, and
every opp,rtunity will be embraced 10 give i less