Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1832-12-20
Richmond, Thursday, Dec. 30.
DOCTRINES

ing, out from very different quarters the Com
muncations, of Z" A b." aud of " One of the '9s
School" They both discuss the important but deli
cate doctrine oi~Secession IL we were permitted TO
consult our own feelings we would let this Gun pass
ny us. we regard secession the ultima ratio of
our Federal sysem-and we perfectly agree with
MIR. Jefferson lin a letter to Mr. Nicholas i'm go
that as we should never think of separation but for
repeated and enormous violations so these when
they occur will be cause enough of themselves"
We think the right which flows from the We
ry nature of sysem-but we hold il TO he rioht
never to be exercised but in the very last resort
until all constitutional means have been nppenIed tn
all ninlcabie eXpedents have been exhausted and
until there has been free consultation with mr. sis
ter States. We regard il indeed us the ytreme mo
dicine OF the Consiitution-(Mr Z. Z. Barbour poes
so far, we believe, call the arsenc)-neyer 10
be unnecessarily discussed and never to be actually
employed but in the last extremity We should he
perfectly willing, therefore, to forbear the publco
ton OF any further remarks than those we hive nj
ready submitted in late Nos-and certainly TO
avoid any formal discussion of it at this time bur
we cannot dictate to the consciences of others-we
cannot close our columns to those who appeal TO the
liberty OF the Press for the publication of their own
calm, unmpassioned and able essays.
We feel ourselves under the same obligations to
publish the address of" Halifax" as IL has come from,
The hands of its author There is one passage which
we would willingly eXpunge-and hattering as such
compliment is from such source, yet we would
freely omit II, If 1t were coupled with Gull up-
on us winch we are not willing even to appear to
shun. But have we not substantially discharged
the duty TO which Halifax" refers? Have we MOI
even at some risk of appearing intrusive stated
frankly the course which Virginia ought TO pursue
at me present crsls! Have we not recommended
that virginia should act the part of mediator-that
she ought TO throw herself between the contendnp
parties-and To state in the frankest and most friend
~ manner, the errors of both Ought we not i'm
our resolutions complain both of the federal de
ease and OF the South Carolina remedy-to protest
against the Tariff contrary 10 the whole gcnius
OF our Constitution, and abomnably oppressive i'm
IT'S eNaction-and instruct our Senators, &C. TO in
sist on ITS gradual but ultimate repeal? Ought we
not also decidedly to protest against Notification as
contrary TO the whole genius of the conf,leracy ms
calculated to work its utter dissolution and ms NOT
recognized by our own Resolutions of '99? Ought
we not to call upon South Carolina, through spe-
cial deputation, by our love for the Union by orr
common interests, by the generous blood which we
nave mingled IN common cause, to pause. i'm her
career, TO cancel or at least suspend her Ordinance
ana the laws growing out of it until after the next
session OF Congress- and TO unite with us in all con-
sutuuonal means for Kidding the Union of this finn
gus system of protection? Ought we not at the
same time, 10 dissent distinctly, in friendly spirit
from so much of the Proclamation, as appears to
us 10 clash with the Resolutions of '99-and empha-
tlcally reerate so much of those resolutions as il
appropriate 10 the present crisis.
These are our vicws-wc lay them at once before
our readers-and 1t gives us pleasure 10 find them
substantially confirmed by the opinions of Halifax
But, If Virginia ACT at all, ought we not to net ma
soon as we can? If our mediation is TO be of any
avail, can 1t be too promptly employed? We see
mat the Legislature are about to pass law (perIaIs
have already passed m for authorising ~ 600 yelun
teers TO be cmbodied--wc see that the Union Conven
ton are about assuming military organization of
rown-that in one District, they are burning the
efhgIes OF Hamilton and Cahoun--in another rails
ing the flag of the U. S. And we are told thYt
III case Of the passing of this military law by the
Legislature of ;. c., the President will call for
further, contingent force from the Congress of the
u. 81 Ought we nor, therefore, to try the good eff
/ IN aInIIn
In connection with these views we Law the follow
ing extracts of letter from Washington before our
readers ltpresents additional reasons for our act
ing-soon and IN the proper spirik
(Fr0m Wdshing t0n Dec le)
The President says that he subscrbes 10 every word
OF Mr. Jeerons doctrine, which in the case of seceson
as contemplated by him, resolves itself into revolution
revolt against intolerab'e tyranny. As Chief Magistrate
however, he holds that he bound by his oath TO execute
the laws OF the Union That while he has asserted State
hghts Ill ms heSSdge he has done nothing more than
assert the rights OF the Union in his proclanaon He is
resolved TO go pdri pdssu with South Carolina And if
law is passed, raising state troops TO carry out NIs
ion he Will probably appeal TO Congress obtain force
10 be used II OCCASION require it, suppress itor ra
Their, 10 support The laws. -
I'll virginia were 10 propose posponement to the people
OF y Carolina-boldy and emphacally pronouncino A.
gainst notification, but firmly assuring her of the reduction
OF Inc ann Laws-inssng that the question had already
been seedby the baIOtboxes that the present Con-
gress failed to do their duty the XXI would in ali keIv
hood De called together 10 perform is believe the Multi
ers would be compelled by public entiment TO p,use VIZ
gna think, should address the people of her sister State
4
Would not this be electual with the dominant mar
ty, than an appeal TO the dominant party ITSELF Above
an things should hope that nothing should be done bv
virginia as State like trading with making pacfs with
Soulh Carolina This would look like setting aside the
Constitution; and each State taking upon itself the right
oil making conditions and throwing by the confederacy as
concern 10 be disposed OF by fewer than the cosu
lonai number OF States. The President is said to have
no objection 10 the suggestion Of call Of Convention
III The constitutional mode. lie says those who think thai
the rights OF the States sufficiently guaranteed mr.
thosc oil the Union restricted should have taken This
course IN the beginning but, it is the constitutional
course, so think it is the which il comports with
the dignity oil the old Dominion to recommend lie;
SCUM carolina be induced to stay her rash
upon proposition OF this sort, enforced by the moral
weight oil Virginia. find all relief should be denied
10y Congress and this reasonable proposition for an adjust
ment OF fundamental principles of the interests Of The
dihcrent sections should be rejected, THEN il ,oH be
iDle enough for the South TO make common en,,se :
men lhey would be united by feeling which would
make their Irresistible"
/
We cannot stoop to answer the structures of the
u >. Telegraph. Its Editor is a prohigate and I'M
pushing caiumnlator His assertions are as false au
they are audacious-and his principles are as pro-
figaie as they reckless. His authority has iong
ceased to carry any weight with il among the good
cilzens OF virginia, whose politics it attempts TO
conlrol--but If unfortunately bis opinions had still
retained any of the weight which they formerly
possessed, we would scorn to our character up-
on their refutation. We are willing to abide bv the
verdict of our peers-of men Of honor toho kuoio as
aud have long known US. We cordially despise md
defy nU the catmneS Of the Tclegraphas we'll as of
It's empty echo in Virginia.