Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-03-09

thursday Ere,sing, March s.


SEoRGIA-AND THE MISSIONARIES.
ePaeo the Debate on tho Memorial from Now
iork' IN favor Of tho Cherokecs before our readers
inns evening, the comman dng interest of tho sub.
]ec' demanding the preference. That Memorial
was prepared and forwarded, before the decision Of
inc Supreme Court in Worcsstcr's case, was
known. To that Memorial. the readers attention
particularly invited, fraught as it it, with hiso
rical references of great interest.
The Enquirer Of tho morning, speaks Of the de-
eison OF the Supreme Court as a "blow" to the
State OF Georgia. and would seem to intimate,
'hat 1t was followed up by concert, with this Me-
moral. 1t docs not appear that tho was the least
des'gn In tho order of the two events. Their ST.
muitancous occurrence was accidental.
we arc sorry to see that paper assailing the de.
e'son OF the Court before it has seon the grounds
and contributing to increase excitement already
SO high. and which it affects to dcprec.te. "Ths
decision ut says) of the Court is ultra 1t goes tho
whole against the rights and sovereignty of tho
States" Wretohed slang--miserable, ad captain
dunn stuff Do the rights and sovereignty Of the
States, authorize any particular State to set de-
fance, the treaties of tho U. Statcs-to seize ths
country of people guaranteed to them by those
treaties-to impriseR citizens of the u. States
try! Is this State Rights7 Is it desired to mako
State Rights e1oerablo to every man of Justice and
humanity
we are not competent to pronounce upon the lie.
gal merits OF the decision Of the Supreme Court;
nor Is we believe, tho Editor of the Enquirer. But
we will believe, until we at least sec some argu-
ment to invalidate The decision, that such man as
Chief Justice Marshall, has not erred either against
hlo
believe that this community has viewed the con-
duct of Georgia, towards the miserable wretches in
her power. with profound disappr obation as grasp
ing cruel, and rapacious, and that its sentiment of
justice will dispose it to examine tho decision oil
the Supreme Court with impartiality, and its good
sense not permit the true question to be lost in an
absurd and inapplicable clamor about State Rights
Let tho reader peruso the New York Memorial-let
him revolve the injustice done the Cherskees in
taking their country from them, and subiectine
them to the laws of Georgia, in express contraven.
ton of treaties which guarantee to them, their
country and their independcnce-and ask himself
if there are NO other Rights but State Rights-if
justice have not her rights, if humanity has none,
if the Treaties of the U. States, the Supreme Law
of the land, have rights7
Georgia has lately taken occasion, to disavow
and rcpudiatc. South Carolina N ull6cation. Her
reverence for the Union, and for it's laws Heaven
save the markD wero too great to permit her to ap
prove doctrine, which claimed for a single State,
the right to annul law of the land! She would
mono of it! Shc abhorrcd and disclaimsd it!
These professions have been made within the last
winter. South Carolina Notification offered her TO
rich lands-no land lotteries to distribute them
among her citizens-no gold mines! And is it posi-
bic that appeals are to be made to Virginia sympa-
thy to sustain such conduct this; and that the
sacred doctrines of State Rights, are to be polluted
to the purpose of sustaining violations of all rghts7
The Enquirer adds-"It is not believed that
Georgia will submit to the dccision--and that
when it is certified to her State Court, they will
take no account Of it. What then? Will the Su
Preme Court be infatuated as to persevsre-
and issue further process in tho case7"
"Infatuated!" What 10 the Supreme Court to
dot Shall it refuse the process which its duty
eompels it to issue7 Shall it proclaim the right,
and refuse the redress7 Where will it find its au
thority for suspendng tho process which it's sutors
have right to demand? Will tho lawyer of tho
Enquirer explain this doctrins1 Infatuated in |
doing what their duty, the laws, their oaths, exact
at their hands.
What would the omission Of the Supreme Court |
to follow up its Judgment to execution declared
Would it not be an acknowledgment of fear1-
Would it not be declaration that they dare not en-
counter the anger of Georgia? That although the
sutton in their Court has been wronped and 3D.
pressed, and their conscisnces compel them to saw
SO. that they dare not extend to him the relief
which the laws entitlo HIM to? Such il would be.
and nothing else. Is there an American who
would wish this degrading confession to be nader
Who not only desires, but counsels, and oven re.
sorts to intimidation to coerco it7
1t will BIO observed that Mr.. Clayton resorted 70
the old weapon Of Georgia-mcnace. "IIo warn. |
cd, and he cautioned" the House. We hope Con
gross will proceed with firm and resolved spirit,
TO do whatever justice demands, and ut tho risaue
of all consequences. We view this affair as bring
ing the Union to the test. not only of existence,
but also whether it is worth preserving. Ardent
and devoted to the Uniou and enthusiastically as
any other man. we had rather SEQ it riven to.mor
row, than to see it's majesty periodically bulliod by
Georgia. If it cannot enforce it's laws-if its
troatos with foreign nations may be trampled un
der foot By of it's membors-if the decisions sf
it's highest tribunal of Justice cannot be enforced
no longer answers itS ends, and ought to bo dis
solved,
MISUNDERSTANDING TO tho Enquirer Of tho
morning, the county of Lee 10 in high excitement
at Van Buren's rejection. Ono of the Correspond.
snts Of that paper, from Loo. says 81 have but this
m omOnt heard tho voice from Spottsylyania, and /
unhestatingy second his proposition to place Mar
fin Van Ruron in he Chair which oh o. D,tbopn