Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-10-02
Hon. J. c. CALHOUN, y. p. cf Mc q. States.
Fonr HlLL. AUGUST 23th. Is:

J. HAMILTON, Junior
Hon. J. c. CALHOUN, ], p. ciUc o. States.
FoRr HUI, August 2Sth 1882
Ny Dcar SIR have received your note OF the 3Ist
July, requesting me to give you fuller de volope-
ment of my views, than that contained in my adj ress
last summer onthe right OF Stale defend her re-
served powers against the entertainments of the Ge-
neral Government
AS fully occupied my time is, were it douuly So
the quarter from which the request comes, with my
deep conviction of the vital importance OF the subject
would exact compliance.
No one can he more sensible than ! am, that the
address of last fell far short of exhaustnp the
subject. 1t was in fact intended, a simple state
ment of my views. felt, that the Independence ard
candour, which ought TO distinguish one, occupying
a high public station, imposed Il duty me 10 meet
the call for my opinlNn by frank and full ayowal
OF my sentiments, regardless of consequences. Tc
fulfil this duty, and not to discuss the subject, wa:
the object OF the address. But in making these pre-
lIminary remarks do not intend to prepare you &c
expect full discussion the present occasion
What L propose Is TO touch some Of the prom
nent points, that have received less of the public
tention, than their importance TO me To de.
mand
Strange rs the assertion may appear, it is neverhe-
less true, that the great difficulty in deter mining,
whether State has the right to defend the reserved
powers against the General Government, or in fact
any right at all beyond those OF mere corporation
Is to bring the public mind to realize plain historical
facts, connected with the origin and formation of the
Government. Til they are fully understopd it is
impossible hat correct and Just view can be taken
Ol SUBJECT III lnlS connection, the rSt and
important point is to ascertain distinctly, who are the
real authors of the Constitution of the United States
whose powers created it--whose voice clothed it
with aulhority-and whose agent, the government il
formed, in reality is At tins point, commence the
execution Of the task, which your request has i'm
posed.
The formation and adoption Of the Constitution are
events 50 recent and all the connected E,cis 50 C,Ilv
attes:ed that 1T would seem impossible that there
should be the least uncertainty in relation TO them
ana yet Judging hy what constantly heard and seen,
There are lew subjects on which the public opinion
more confused. The most indefinite expressions are
habitually used i'll speaking of them. Sometimes il
Is sad that the Constitution made by the States
and at others, if in contradisinction bv the peo
lle, without distinguishing between the two yer,
different meanings, which may be attached TO thos
general expressions and this, not in ordinary con
versation, but in gave discussions before deliberate
bodies, and in judicial Investigations where the great
est accuracy, important n point, might be ex
pected particularly, one, IT, other meaning is
intended, conclusions the most opposite must follow
not only III reference to the subject Of this conmuni-
cation, but as TO the nature and character OF our po-
ltca system BY State, my be meant, either the
Government OF state, or the people, as forming Il
separate ana independent community and by the
people, either the American people taken collectively
as forming one great community or as the people OF
the several States, forming, above stated sepa-
rate and Independent communities. These dis.
tnctlons essential in the enquiry. IT, by the peo
pie, he meant, the people coectively and not the
people OF the several States taken sepuratey and il
ii be true indeed that the Constitution is the work
~
with them, and derives lis authority from their will
then there is end of the argument The right
claimed Tor State of defending her reserved powers
against the General Government, would be an alb
surdy Viewing the American people collectively
as the source oil political power, the rights of the
States would be mere concessions concessions from
the common majority, and to be revoked by them,
with the same facility that they granted. The
States woud, this supposition, bear to the
Union the same relation, that counties do to the
States; and it would III that case be Just as prepos-
ferrous % he iph of 4
part of a State against the General Governments as
that OF tho counties against the States themselves
Ihat large portion OF Tie people of the United
states thus regard the relation between the State
and the General Government, including manv who
call themselves the friends Of State rights aud oppo.
ncnts OF consolidation, scarcely be doubted as il
only on that suppositIon, it bc explained,
many OF tidt description, should dGuouuCe the doc
tTlnc, for which the State contends, as so absurd
But fortunately the suPposon is entirely destitute
OF truth. SO far from tie Constitution being the
work OF the American people collectively no such
PolJical body either now, did exist In chat
character Che people of this country never performed
single political act, indeed can without an en-
tire revolution i'll all our political relations
challenge an instance. From the beginning, and
in all the changes of political rxisfrncr I,rous n
States have been united, forming political com
munitics, ard not rs individuals Even in The first
stage OF existence, they formed distinct colonies. III
dependent at each other aud politically united only
through the British Crown. IN their first Informal
Union, tor the purpose OF resisting tie encrOac hmcnts
OF the Mother County, they united distinct poll.
teal communities; and, passing from their colonial
condition, in the act announcing their indcper dcncc
TO The world, they declared themselves by name aud
enuncraiIon tree aud independent States. fn that
character, they formed the old confederation; and.
when II was prop sCd To supcrCcde The articles Of e
Cohirder'llon by the present constitution, they met
IN convention rs s"tcs, acted aud ed a. states
and Tue Constitution. When formed. was submitted
IoI 'aUnloon 10 use people at tc several states il
was rath'd ny them, states, each State Tor ifst
each by rs ratification binding lis own cil;zrns; The
parts tius separately budding hemsclycs and not the
declared 10 tlc preamble OF TIE Constitutions lo ne
ordained 10y I've people Of The Utsd Slniss and IN the
article Qualification, when ratified it is declared " 10
be 6iuiHg befWccH lie a1teS 50 rG'ifyig the concl,
sion is inevitable, Dat ta constitution is The work Of
the people Of TIE 81 considered, separate and
indepcnd nj political communicating tucy arc IL.
authurs heir power created it--thcr voice clothed
il wiz authority --ttat !he Goycrnmcn' ii Cfmyd j..