Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1832-07-31
'Thcss are National Republicans!


TO TIE EDITORS OF THE ENQUIRER
WIN you permit an old man, whose locks blanche,
by the trosts OF many winters the of your columns,
Tor the expression OF few observations elected by re-
cent repersa of the Vice Presidents opinions on the
aons existing between the General the State Govern
ments! AS the greatest and best of all ages, have
frequently differed in opinion the leading points well
IN politics, as in religion, law, &c. trust il may not be
considered reasonable in one who occupies but hum
bic position in society, to not only differ with this gentle
man, but TO give publicity that difference To deny
the great ability OF the production alluded would be
nonscnse yet careful examination of it, proves il
tain principles, iaught with immense danger TO the Union
and if comcred in and executed would destroy that Last
hope of man. have, never, my limited rSaing. seen
much splendid sOphsry attempted, be palned
cey so learessy, auy; and rendered the dan
geiouS ny inc appearance OF c"nour The errors, an
INTENTIONAL which he has fallen into arise his posII-
ata, being assumed slight scrutiny must pronounce
them false consequently lis deductions must he equally
so: will notice those which appear to me, be most
vulnerable So soon this southern hobby horse, this
State sovereignty doctrine reared its head began clog
the wheels of Government, and certainly of the
moving causes which proved that the conicdcracy
inadequate TO The purposes for which intended
being calculated, among other defects, afford that
ment, so necessary 10 the union of the States, aud
accomplish that, which the conicdcracy had completely
failed TO do, the Federal Constitution formed.
1t does appear strange to me, that this doctrine Of n-
qualified State Modification should be entertained by any
personnel sane mind -Four and twenty sovereignes in one
community For such the u. States be termed ant
this community, viz the component parts from their To-
cdicS, their climates &c diversified i'm habits nte
rests vacations &c and each of those soverignes
twenty, would be truly anomaly in any government
particularly in one having any PeIensons to republicans
ism.
Permit to state case hypohetically | will admit
II to be an extreme one but il will illustrate clearly
the ialacy of this State sovereignty doctrine Congress
passes act embracing 81 clauses this act taken in the
aggregate, highly advantageous TO the Union but eacl
State may, on trial. feel oppressed by OF those
clauses, differently from the other States: them according
TO the Southern doctrine, each State by placing itself OF
ITS sovereignty, may nudity that clause which may par
tally Cypress il, and thus in detail nulfy the entire act
which was enacted by the whole.
But let me extend this doctrine somewhat farther
WHAT'S sovereignty What its attrihutesf take il
to be formed of freedom and independence without those
materials, il exist for moment Then every free
anc So OF not under the control Of any earthly
g for he cannot lie sovereign and under such
the said umej and consequently, il in reality, in imag
patron any Legislative act operates oPpressivoIy bin,
that he has TO do is to cnrobe himself in his sovereign
9g and nuy this OppTession and every county, feeling
similar oppression, being composed of sovercign'
sumes for the time this magic tunic and bids defiance
its oppressors find in the Federal Constitutions in ari
Gle 4th and section 4h, the following The u s. shat
guarantee to every State in the Unon republican torn
OF government and protect" SC &C. Is there any thing
here dscerble about sOveregnty No, sir; but the
rary II speaks of pTOiccon which is sope n hat inc ON
patible with sovereignty.
In article 9th, 81 clause, fnd the annexed TIi
Constitution and the laws Of the United States which sa
be made in pursuance thereof, and all treaties made OF
which shall he made, under authority OF the Unite,
States, shall he the supreme law Of tie land and the
Judges in every State shall I've bound thereby any
contrary notwithstanding" Here is nothing in supper
OF State sovereignty, but rather complete extugush
er OF the doctrine. Mr.. Calhoun agrees, that the ,ao
nty ought generally TO rule, but always. &" Tia
majority must be sulecto Tive restrictions imposed by b,
Constitutions and confined subjects, in which every por
ton OF the community have siuiar interests; but il is
great error TO suppose, many do, that the right ma
jority 10 govern is a natural and conventional r
aud therefore absolute and unlimited The truth IT, IN,
right oil the majority TO govern is neither natural nor
conventional right it is incidental right II is incl
dental TO power, and right which be taken FROM
That majority, except by intrigue aud cunning aud where
ever or whenever that right exists in the minority il is
any thing but y Republican Government. would ask
Mr. Calhoun If the existence of power being in the mi
nonty, has not been the universal o revolutions
was II not the cause Of The American Revolulion2 and II
ours, is Republican Government who to Judge who
Their the Constitution be executed within its LIMITS Surely
not the minority
Mr. Calhoun says "by nature every individual las The
right TO govern himself" ask is this position tcnahlc
10 be sure; should he live, entirely separated from socic
y, u is correct; but should there he with him only ore
other his right ceases unless supported by either pysica
OfmOra power and " that right govern himself interfere.
with the real supposed right Of his Companion the
strength Of that physical moral power would have II
decide The question But the truth Is, in my opinon man
in state Of society has natural rights save one Natu
raj rights, according my construction arc rights thai
cannot be dspJssosscd Of by any earthly power
Man is said 10 have natural right 10 ifc liberty &C: but
what becomes Of right, which be annifdalcd i'm 4
moment by superior cunning force? Suppose in shin
wreck, two Of those gentry possessing ali those natural
rights they may imagine, seize the same plank which
Is sufficient, 10 support but Of them, but both the
plank becomes possessed by the ono, having the
deNery The most power what becomes The boosted
natural right OF life Of tho other The answer IS evi.