Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-10-26
Ebe Constitutional egsDsg.
MIR. WEBSrEipS SPEECH.
IT THE NATIONAL RErUDiLcAN CONVENTION, IN

ing the meeting. Holding by the favor oftho people
ut this Commonwealth, an npportant public stua-
ton, deem less than part Of my duty, II, this
interesting moinJoi, Ia make my own opinions or
the state OF public affairs known aud however may
have performed other duties, tins, AT least, it is NV
purpose, on The present "ccnS'on, aty to discharge
Not intending to coiiincni, at length, on all the
subjects which attract public attention. nor
to discuss suy thing, in detail, Will, nevertheless
before assembly SO large and respectable as tho
present, and through them to the whole Pcoplo
OF the State, lay open, without reserve. my own
sentiments hopes, and fears, respecting the state
and the fate OF our common country.
The resolutions which have been read from the
Chair express tho opinion that the public good re
OURS eifectual change, in the admins ration Of
the General Government, both Of measures, and of
men. In this opinion, heartily concur.
Mf PRESIDENT, there is no citizen of the State,
vino, In principle and by habitua sentiment, is less
disposed than myself to general opposition to Go.
vsrnment; or less DESTROYS OF frequent changes in
Its administration. entertain this feeling strong.
y, and all times, towards the Government of the
U. States; because have over regarded the Fcde.
raj Constitution as Il frame OF Government so pocu-
liar, and Sd defeats in It's relations to the State
Governments, that ii ight be in danger of over
throw, as well from an indiSc rininatc and wautou
opposition, as from weak a rwicked admin.
s'ration But u case may arise in which the Go.
Ssrnmcnt is no longer safe, in The hands to which
il had been entrusted.
IL may come to be question, not much in
what particular manner, or according to what par
ticuar political opinions, the Government shall he
administered, whether the Constitution itself
shall be preserved and maintuied. Now, Sir, in my
Judgment, Just such a case, and just such a qucs
ton, are At this moment before the American Poo
pie Entertaining this sentiment, and thoroughly
and entirely convinced gifts TRUTH will. far as
my humble ability extends, awaken the public to Il
earnest attention to their public concerns
With the People, and the People alone, lies any
remedy for the past, and security for the future
No dele gated power equal to the eXigcncv of the
present crisis. No public servants, however able
or faithful, have power to check, stop
tho fearful tendency of things. 1t is case Tor So
vcrciGn intcrpositom. The rescue, fit come at ALL
must come from that power, which no other on
oarth can resist. l earnestly wish, therefore, un-
important as my opinions may be, and entitled,
know they are, TO no considerable regard, yet,
since they are honest and sincere, and sIncc they
respect nothing less than dangers which appear to
me to threaten the Government and Constitution
OF the country, lcrvcntly wish, that could now
make Them known, not only To this meeting, and
10 this State, but to every man in the Union
take the hazard of the reputation of alarmst; |
chourtully submit TO the mputution of ovcr-excitcd
apprehension; discard all fear cf the cry OF false
prophecy, and declare, that, in my judgment, not
only the great interests of the country, but the
Constitution itself is i'm imminent peril and that 20
thing can save either the other but tn at
voice which has authority to say to the evils OF
in'Sruc and nIjsgovernment, hitherto shall We come
but no farther.
1t Is true, Sir, that it is the natural effect of
shs"i Constitution to protect the people But who
snail project the Constitution Who shall guard
inc guardiani What arm but the mighty arm OF
the People itself, is able, in popular Government
10 uphold public institutions? The Constitution it.
self is but the creature of the public Will, and in
every crisis which threatens ii, it must owe its Sc
curity to the same power to which it owes its orr
gin.
The appeal, therefore, is 70 the People. Not to
party or partisans; not to protcsscd political
not to those who have an interest i'm office and
place. greater than their stake in the country; but
to the People, and the whole People; to those who,
III regard TO political Affairs have no wish but for
good Governments; who have the poS.cr TO &C
comPIish their own wishes.
Mr. president ere the principles and leading
measures of the Administration hostile TO the great
interests OF tic country?
Are they dangerous to the Constitution and tn
tho Union of the States!
is there any prospect of beneficial change of
principles and measures, without u change of men?
Is there reasonable ground to hope for such a
change of men?
On these several questions | desire to state nv
own convictions, fully, though as briefly as posi-
bic.
As Government is intended to be practical in.
sitution, if it be wisely formed the first and most
natural test of its administration is tho effect pro-
duccd by lt' Let us look then to the actual state
OF our alta re- Is it sucE should follow a rood
adminstrG' on of good Constitution
SIR, we sec one State OF the Union openly threat
enng 10 arrest the execution OF the revenue laws
of the Union by acts Of her own. This procecdipo
is threatened. not 10y Irresponsible persons Int .y
those who'll her chief places of power and trust
In another State free citizens of the country are
imprisoned, and held in prison in defiance of
judgment o. tho Supreme Court, pronounced for
their deliYorance. Immured in n dungeou mark
cd and patched subjects of penitcutiarv
punishment. These citizens pass their DAVIS in
counting tho slow revolving hours of their mise
rabe captivity, and their nights in feverish and dc
Iusive dreams Of their homes and their oyn families
wh lie the Constitution stands adpIdrcd to he vio
lated, law oil Congress is oiiIctually repealed nv
1ho act OF State, and Judgment of deverancc
by tho Supreme Court, is set at noupht and con
temncd.
treaties imposing the most solemn and sacred
obligations, are denied to have binding force
A ioe!.ng that there is great insecurity for pro
perty, and the stability of the means Of living OK.
tensiveiy prevails.
The whole subject Of the Tariff. ed on for the
moment, is, at the momont, declared not to
be at rest but liable to be again moved; and with
greater effect just SO as power for that pur-
pose shall be obtained.
The currency OF the country hitherto SAT,
sound and universally satisfactory, is threatened
with violent change, and an embarrassment i'm
pccunary affairs equally distressing and unncc,s
cry hangs over all the trading and active classes
Of society.
4 long used, and long opproscd Legislative In.
nnent los Inc collection of revenue, well secured
against abuse, and always responsible to Congress
and 10 the laws, Is denied further existence and
It's place is proposed TO be supplied by a new branch
OF The Executive Department, with money power
controlled and conducted solely by Executive A.
gency.
The power Of the VEro is exercised, not ms an
extraordinary, but as IN ordinary power as a CON.
mon inGce OF defeating Acts Of Congress-, not ac-
cePtahlc to the Executive. We hear, one day.
Mat tho President needs the advice of no Cabinet;
mat lew Secretaries Clerks arc enough for
MN i he next, VIC are informed, that tho Supreme
Court is but an obstacle to the popular will and
tho whole Judicial department but an incumbranec
to Government. And while ON uur side tI,c irI;