Southern planter., 1832-12-29

passed The wisdom Of man never yet conirived
a system Of taxation that would openie with per.
feet equality. II the unequal operation Of law
make It unconstitutional, and Il all laws Of that
description may be uhrogaed by aly State, Cor
that cause, then, indeed, is The Feddal Constitu-
on unworthy Of the slightest effort for its preser-
vaiion. We have hitherto relied on li as the per-
peiua bond -four Union chave ieceiyed il as
the work Of the assembled wisdom q the nation.
We have trusted TO it to the sheet anchor of our
safety, in the stormy times of conflict tih foreign
or domestic foe We have looked to Il with sacrod
awe as the palladium Of our liberties and with al
the solemnies Of religion, have pleged TO each
other our lives and fortunes here anr bur hopes of
happiness hereafter, in its defence end support -
Were we mistaken, my couniymef, 10 attaching
this importance to the Constitution ofour counryg
Was our devotion paid 10 the wrelcled, Inefficient
clumsy conlriyance, which this new docifine would
make IN Did we pledge ourselves tie support
ofcn airy nothing, bubble that must 30 blown away
by the drsl breath of disailecton2 Vns this self
destroying, visionary theory. the woK Of the pro-
found statesman, The exalted patriots 10 whom the
task Of constitutional reform was enrusiedi Did
the name Of Washington sancion-did The States
deliberately atify such an aronally in The history
Of fundamental egisaionP No We were not
mistakenl The lelterof this great Instrument is.
free from this radical fault; iis language directly
contradicis the imputaton its spiht Us evident
intent, contradicts IT, No; we did ioi erri Our
Constitution docs not contain theabnrdty Of civ.
ing power to makelaws, and another power to resist
them.
The sages, whose memory will always be reyer-
enced, have given us practical, andas they hoped,
permanent constitutional compact. The Father
OF his country did not aiix his revend name 10 so
palpabe an absurdity. Nor did lhi States when
they severally ratified il, do so unter the impres
SION that veto on the laws Of theUnled States
was reserved TO them, or that they ,ould exercise
II by implication. Search the debates in al their
Conveniions-examine the speechs of the most
Jealous opposers of Federal authoug-look at the |
amendments that were proposed. They are all
seni-not a syllable uttered, not ,o,e given. no,
a motion made, to correct the expltit supremacy
given to the laws of the Union ovr those of ,be |
Siaies--or 10 show that implicaiion,as is now con.
tended, could defeatit. No, we hive not erred
The Constitution IS still The object of our reyer |
ence, the bond of our Union, our defnce in DANCER.
Ihe source OF our prosperity in pace II shall |
descend, as we have received 1t, lncouupted by |
'nphsllcal construction, 10 our poshriiy; and the
sacrifices oflocal interest, of State preiudces. of
PERSONAL animOsiiies, that were mde 10 bring il
n'o existence, will again be patriotally offered for
Is support.
The two remaining objections male BY the ordi-
rance TO these laws are, that the suns intended 10
,e raised by them are greater than ae required and
hat the proceeds will be unconsifutonally EN-
'loyed, The constitution has givel expressly TO
congress the right of raising revenue, and of de-
the sum the public exlencies will re-
ulre. The States have no control over the exer-
Use ofihs right, other than that Of changing the
representatives. who abuse it, and lhus procure re-
lress. Congress may undoubtedly abuse this dis.
re1onary power, but the same ms1 be said Of o.
hers with which they are vested Yet The discre-
ion must exist somewhere The constitution has.
plvcn II to the representatives o. all the people
checked by the representatives Of tie states and The
Executive power. The South C,rona consruc-
lnn gives it 10 the legislature or convention of n
lngle state where neither the people ofthe differ.
mt states, nor the states in their se,arae capacity.
lor of the chief magistrate selected by the peopie.
ave any representation Which the most dis
rect disposition the power2 | do not ask YOU,
elbow citizens, which is the constitutional dispos
ion--lhat instrument speaks language not TO be
But if you wen assembled in
General convention, which would lou think the saf
st depository oflhs discretonarypower in the last
esor? Would YOU add clausegving il TO each
Il he states, or would YOU sanction the wise pro
slons already made by your constution7 Il this
hould be the result Of your deliberations, when
providing for the future, are ydi--can you-be
eady to risk all tha you hold der TO establish for
temporary and local purpose, ihd which you must
acknowledge 10 be destructive and even absurd,
IS general provlsonl Garry OFT the consequen.
es of this right vested in the different states, and
'ou must perceive that the crisis pour conduct pre-
ents at this day would recur Whenever any law of
he U States disPeased any Of the states, and that
We should soon cease to be nahon Il
The ordinance, with tho same knowledge Of the q
atuTe that characterzes former objection. tells {
ou that the proceeds ofthe tax will be unconsti. i
ulonay applied If this could be ascertained {
With certainty, tho objection would, with more pro-
'ney be reserved for the law 50 applying the pro-
eeds, but surely cannot be urged against the laws
eyying the duty.
These are the allegations combined in the ordi-
ance. Examine them seriously, my fellow citi- b
for yourselves, appeal to YOU 10 de- O
ermlne shother they so clear, so convincing, Q
TO leave no doubt oftheir correctness and even II
ou should come to this conclusion, how far they a
lsiiiy the reckless, destructive course which your e
re directed 10 pursue. Review these objections .
nd the conclusions drawn from them once more. 1
What are theyl Every law, then according TO the p