Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-12-24

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Of the People from that Government, or to
sanction disobedience to its laws; that the
Constitution centemplates no such POsslbi-
lity az the secession of a State, or the people
of a State, from the Union; that It establishes a
government, which the people may at all times
alter and amend at their pleasure, but which is
designed to be perpetual, without Limitation OF
time, aud with 10 such self-destroying principle
as right reserved to any portion OF the people to
withdraw their allegiance from IT, at their own
will; that secession is, IN Its very nature, de-
structIve Of the CONSTRUCTION; that It IS revolt.
tionary; an act done, If done at all, not under
the Constitution, but in defiance Of it, and on
" to b. justified by causes, which would JUS
tify revolutions IN other cases.-Ihat there is no
power reserved to a State SO preposterous as that
of annullng a law of Congress- thereby subject
ing the will of the whole people to be controlled
BY the will Of part; nor Of deciding the ques-
ton, between the Government Of the United
States and those who are subject to its laws,
whether such laws be constitutional.
That the Constitution also declares, that the
Judicial power Of the United States shall extend
to all cases arising under the Constitution and acts
Of Congress; and that the Judiciary Act, coeval
with the Government, has prescribed proceed
ing by which all such Constitutional questions
according to which such questions have been so
tioaly decided throughout the whole history OF
the Government These truths, 50 essential to
the preservation of the Government. and its
Just powers. appear to US incapable of contra
diCtiOn
Resoirei That the Ordnance passed by the
late Convention Of SOUTH Carolina, purportng
to annul acts Of Congress, on the assumed
grUund that they are unauthorized by the Con
siitution Of the United States is an usurpaion OF
Power, which Is truly described IN the Presi'
i dents Proclamation, "a being I" Incompatible
With the existence Of the Union, contradlcted
expressly by the letter Of the Constitution, IN
authorized by ITS spirit, Inconsistent with every
principle on which il was founded, and des'ruc-
tive q the great object for which it was torhsd
ResolrsJ, That The said Ordinance, in declar-
ing that no appeal shall be allowed from State
Court, to the Supreme Court Of theO. States.
nor ne copy Of any record permitted or allowed
for that purpose, aud that persons Claiming such
appeal shall be punished, Commands direct DISC
bcdercc and resistance to an act OF Congress of
more nan forty years standing and operation.
and n ,."sttationahty of which has never been
called question.
Rested, That We are constrained to consider
these proceedings Of South Carolina as being
;youtlonary; that we have seen with infinite pain
a majority Of the people Of so respectable a
State led into the adoption of such false opinions
and such uiawtul courses; a State which has al
ways possessed. does now possess. and we hope
will long continue to possess her full share OF IN
huence in the public Councils, to whose com
plants the National Legislature Is always ready
to listen, as to those Of other States. and which
we hope and believe, will always find IN the
assembled Representatives OF the whole ceun-
try spirit Of Justice and cancellations; and
we would fain cherish the hope, that their
own sober reflections, the disarprobation OF the
people of other States, and the solemn and alice
, tomato warning of the President, may yet re
cal the people Of that State. to sense OF duty
and patriotism, and thereby prevent occurrences
which would fill every true American bosom with
the deepest modification and grief. We trust
in &, acious Providence yet to save our beloved
country from the disgrace and the horrors Of
civil war.
Pesoiced, That acting upon the principles now
by him SO solemn'y and torcihly declared we
will cordially support the President OF tie u
States, in every CONGREGATIONAL measure ".oc-.r
~ for the execution of the laws aud for maintain
ing the integrity of the Union; that we s',i Ter
yent,y pray the Divine Goodness to avert the ne
cesslt, Of resortHg to force; but that' In OUT
Judgment, it is a matter of absolute duty on the
Dart of the President of the United States, II
forcible resistance be made to the laws, to see,
nevertheless, that the laws be duly executed
that in this great and sacred cause, laying aside
all personal preferences we will act cheeriuiIy
and devo,edly under the guidance of the constr,
tut-d authorities of the government; that we VIII
20 for the country. and Nth the country. against
d.sunion, disorganizaton. aud nullihcation. and
that whoever is commissioned by the public ia
bear up the standard of the Union we shalt oe
read, to rally IN the Cause of the Constitution
under that banner, which led our fathers, through
wears of suffering and of blood, to independence
aud glory, and which has commanded tor u.s. thel'
posterity, the respect Of the world.