Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-12-18
VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE.
HOUSE, OF DELEGATES. Dec.

The Governors Message (see Gazette OF yes.
terday) being read
Mr. Brodnax said it was high time for every
man TO rouse himself Ia sense Of the danger 10
which sc were involved. The General Assem-.
biy of Virginia was a constituent body. compos
ed of the Representatives Of her people. and as
such bound to watch over their interests and
warn them of the invasion Of their rights. They
were the warders on the watch. tower, whose du.
~ it was to proclaim the slightest approach ct
danger. All would admit that the crisis was i'm
portant and the danger imminent 1t was then
no time to sleep in fancied -teurity-to cry peace
peace, when there was no peace. The sentiments
of Virginia, the State. which had so Oft.n pre-
served the peace OF the Union, ought to be
known, and in what manner could they he SO
fully and unexceptiunably expressed, as BY a
vote Of her Legislative body. Actua,ed BY these
luton, which he hoped would meet the concur
renee Of the House.
''Resoired That committee be appointed to
take into consideration the relations existing be-
tween the State Of South Carolina and the &C.
neral Government of the United States, the con.
sequences likely to result to each, and to the
Commonwealth Of Virginia especially. from an
ordinance and other proceedings adopted By a
Convention recently assembled in South Carroll
ma, and a proclamation by Andrew Jackson,
President of the United States, consequent there.
on add lately addressed to the citizens Of the
United States, and the Communication Of the
Governor Of this Commonwealth, on the same;
and that the said Committee report such mes
sures as in their opinion NAV be deemed expe
dent for Virginia to adopt-the proprie,y Of re.
commencing general convention Of the States,
aud such declaration of our views and opinions,
as it may be proper for her to express in the pre-
sent fearful and impending crisis, for the protec
ton of the rights Of the States, the restoration
Of harmony, and the preservation Of the Union :"
The genera nature of these resolutions would
he said, leave room for the committee to make
such alterations, suggestions and amendments,
as might appear conducive TO the end for which
they were designed. It would afford time for
delibcratior before Virginia again threw herself
in the breach, and arrested the mighty inunda.
ton which was likely to destroy the very name
o! liberty. We were involved in maze of diff.
6cultles. II danger threatened from one quar-.
ter alone It might be anticipated with ease. But
at this moment black and omnOus clouds we're
rising at the same time froa, the most opposite
quarters. He would not saw that the dangers to
be apprehended from each were equal, but
bloOdshed will ensue, and either law of the
Union, BE- rejected BY single State. or that State
Frustrated forever by the arm of the General
Government. He regretted che present situation
OF affairs, but could not think that Virginia
would submit without, at least, strong remon.
STRANGE. to see sister State trampled into dust.
1t would be contrary to the doctrines Of '98, to
the princi piles incuicated by her Jefferson and
her Madison, to every feeling dear TO the bosoms
OF her sons. He regarded the present as the
most awful crisis since the signing Of the Drcla.
ration Of independence, and not yielding in
Importance to thar momentous period; for it had
tong been foreseen BY the wise, that a country
whose population increased so rapidly. must. in
the course Of nature, at iength become too mighty
to remain in vassalage. But the situation Of
things now existing. was so much the worse,
that it had come In manner Unexpectedly; for
who, after the conciliatory tone Of the Presi.
dents late Message could 10 so short time, have
expected from the same quarter, document so
very different in its nature? Whatever course
was determined upon it beloved Virginia to pro.
coed with the utmos. caution. On whatever
side we turned, danger was staring US in the
face. To say that we were between ScylIa and
Charybdis, would be to use an expression not
more trits than descriptive Of our condition -
He wished from the bottom Of his heart, that s |
Carolina had not proceeded so rashly-so preci
she had paused deliberated, pom.