Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1832-08-17
70 TIE EDITORS OF TIE E.N2 UTRBR
THE VIRGINIA DOCTRINES,

TN 70 TIE TIE EDi1'oRs OF TIE EvQUTRER.
TIE VIRGINIA DOCTRINES,
Not .N1Hifcdtion-GNo IL
Is some uine since have addressed you political
subjects In truth, neither suits my habits my i
aons 70 take an active part in the party politics OF the
nay But, occasions may momenious in their
character as to invade the privacy of the most retired in
Vuua and make the duty Of the OBSCURE arouse
himself to contribute his efforts, avert the evils which
may impend over his country Such believe is the case
at present. My mind is filled with as,onishmen, and
aiafin' when contemplate the extraordinary opinions adj
vancsd and the porten,ous proceedings which are taking
place 'n South Carolina. These me not only
to strike al the union OF the States but threaten to in
v0e the country in all the horrors of revolution and c
vii war
It's well lnownto you, that lave always be amongst
nose Poiucans who considered the Government OF the
United States, possessing only limited powers do
believe, that il confined those which were ypeci
csiy granted by the terms Of the Constitution and such
as are necessary and proper carry the specified
INTO effect That all others, not granted reserved
20 me states or to the people. From the time that Mr.
hladiSons resolutions passed the House of Delcraies In
the year 1893, up to the present day. have considered
them IA containing the soundest exposions of the Con
so"ion, ana have co-operaed with the patty in Virgil
ma, which endeavorcd 10 restrain the government within
e limits which those resolutions described as tile legit
mate boundaries oil its authority I'm the conflicts of parties
winch have taken place this subject, Virginia and
lucky took the lead, and for some time stood nearly alone
The principles conended hy these two States were
treated in many OF the others with severity ar even RI
ucue anu amongst those States which were most violent
IN their opposition Virginia principles was the State of
south Carolina The evidence now extant i'm printed
publications, and has been frequently referred TO-
Tag 'hat me leaders OF the dominant party South Carroll
ma used the strongest terms of censure and renrcac
against Virginia politicians and Virginia doctrines But
those opinions aud those doctrines became noibstand
ing the opposition of the leading men in South Cooln,
The prevailing sentiments OF great majority of the peo
pe. would seem verystrange that these leaders, after
doing all in their power resist the prevalence of VIRGINIA
opinions should now insist that they are the exclusive
Judges OF the rights of the States tho only real cham
pons in their deence that thew should comnain that Tho
people oil Virginia do not understand their o,on rinci-
PIES but that they have apostaized from them like all
poseyes, they endeavor make up for loss of time bv
me iervor oil their professions and by accusing those who
have always been in the faith of apathy and indifference
But the charge is most unfounded and unjust The
people oil Virginia are firm in their principles and as
e'eruhheu 10 maintain them, as they were. Yet
hey do not and trust never WILL feel themselves bound
TO adopt all the theories which converts TO the faith
OF either old parties, NAV choose TO SET mn as
the standards oftheir political orthodoxy Nor will bev
because they have tho merit OF having first stood up man.
iuy Tor the rights OF the States be led away by inam-
mallory appeals, or deuSve projects into measures Which
are Incompatible with the peace OF the country and the
Union of the States.
That notification Gas il is called in South CaroinaO
is of this character il is believed dat oyoy
man, who will deliberately and calmly consider the oues
on will decide. What is this doctrine which is atempt
ed TO be maintained That any State who thinks an
act oil Congress UNCONSTITUTIONAL has right by state h
sisaon or state action the operation of that law
wthn her borders, that il shall remain null and inc.
PerauVe' until Congress shall II a Convention of the
S"es 10 act upon the subject In relation to the Tariff
law Tor Instance it is said that il the intention of what
called the Free Trade and State Rights Party TO Oh
tam convention oil the State, which to declare the
farlf laws unconstitutional and that subsidiary laws arc
10 be passed, which intended TO enable the ures 10
decide the law 10 be void: and that il is also probable Thai
penalties may be suPeradded prevent all persons from
aiding in enforcing the of Congress OH this subject
now disguise as they please, and whatever may be the
machinery which may be adopted, it will amount to re-
sistance TO the authorities of the General Governmcnt
and will suspend and paralyze lis action; and that Too in
e most important branch of its powers, viz. the coec
non oil the public The government of the limited
States may be considered, from the moment these disas
ous measures shall take effect, virtually if actually
TO cease TO exist in South Carolina II will be recolecteI
The
from the customs. The power cOncnded for Involves the
right 10 prevent the revenue being collected in that State
nat IS the government TO do if IL submits 10 this inca
sure How will it exercise functions in South Caro-
lima How will it deray the expenses of the pubc es
!ao'sheh's there How pay its officers! AIust it draw
s resources rom other parts OF the Union from the peck
cts OF Others 10 delray the charges which are for the
cuiar accommodation and convenience of South Carolina
Can she derive all the benefit of the Union and conr
the other States consent this Is it not most Obvious
hen, That when State and exercises the RIGHT
to suspend the action of the General Government within
its limits TO prevent the exercise of so vital power as the
collection OF taxes, so Indispensable the spport of 90
vermeHt' IT immediately throws itself OF the pale of
We Union Such measures so far that State is con
cerned, will amount to revolution IL ceases to he nm
der The government OF the Union. If this remedy of null
LITIGATION be constitutional remedy LEI lis advocates do
nonsrate II by reference TO the Constitutions Can thew
find there written, that any one State can suspend At s
WIZ and pleasure the eject Of of Congress Can
one stale out oil conedcracy of twenty four say il will
nuliy the acts of all majority of the rest If anv
one slate can nuliiy, every other In tho
NeTsy OF interests which exist in the different
Jaws VIII rom Tune to time be passed, which will bear
hardly on some OF them The case of the embargo was
one, in which The Eastern States were exceedingly
ous 70 arrest the operation Of the of Congress II
might then, very well happen, ii the notification doctrine
were correct that there might be many laws of Congress
suspended at the same time, by different States Is il nos
slOe men, TO reconcile this power with any idea we have
OF an e'hcieh or even regular government Would it
not BRING the authorities Of the Union into couemp and
render them mpoent, either preserve peace at home
or safety from aggression abroad
In virginia, though tce are determined to defend The
rights Of the States have no disposition to sysyf The
Government Of the Union, or TO render IL sooyss Than
useless. ~ " ''o "''''
But tits alleged by its advocates that nolliGcoon is
PeoegW as well as constitutional remedy and indeed
one Of the greatest advantages attributed 10 it, is that il
VIII suPersede the necessity % force for that by nulif
cauon he law VIII be suspended the LAWYERS would
sdy' oe IN aDeyance, until Convention could be call
eH; now deny that any act done by State can put
OF Keep an act OF Congress in allegiance II there be any
lea oouhenanced IN any part Of the Constitution let
mat clause or passage be produced. know that the Con-
shtuuon provides mode, in which amendments may be
made but this curious argument Of the friends Of nuif
caOn cannot surely infer from this power of amendment
by he authority OF all the States, right in any State
20 arroBae the caPrcous right suspend act OF Con-
Sfes uni II could what would be tire effect Of Con.
yenon called TO change the Constitution The power adj
voca'eo IS IN fact power in Unauthorized body sus.
pend the laws acts Of the regularly constituted legislative
autboiues OF the Uniona power attempted be exer.
cisco ~ The worst periods Of the English history by Abe
most yranncal Of her Kings, and which the friends Of
freedom nave ever considered Of the strongest ea-
sures Of despotsm.
As TO qualification being peaceful remedy it may as.
sumo me gaFD OF peace IN the language Of theory upon
viii IN iis effects be clothed all the habii.
oens OF var, and Of the most odoUs and cislsrops
characters f-eoTs I'd g.