Litchfield enquirer., 1832-12-20

err! Our Constitution does NOT 'csinsaiu the
ahsurdity Of giving power to make laws and
another power TO resist them. The sagrs
whose memory will always be resereuced,
have given rs u practical. and as they hoped,
permanent constitutional compact. The
Father Of bis country did not aifix his rdver-
ed name TO so palpabIe an absurditv. Nor
did the States, when they se,eraliy ratified il.
d. So under the impression that rtto on The
laws ofthe United States WIS reserved 10
them. or that they could exercise it by imuli-
cation. Search The debates in all their con-
yentipns--examne the speeches of the mos,
Jealous opposers of the Federal authority
look at.the amendments that were proposed
they are all sent--not;s syllable uttered
not vote given not motion made To cor
rect the explicit supremacy given to the laws
0f the UniUn over those Of the Siates,-or to
show that implication, as is DOW cUntended,
could defeat it. Move have not erred e
The Constitution is slillthe object Of our rev.
erence, the bond Vt our Union, our defence
in daogers the source Of our prosperity in
peace. Ii shalt descend as We have received
il, uncorrupted by sophistica; construction, 10
our postefity and the sacrifices of local in
terest. Of State prejudices. Of personal ami
m0slies, that were made TO bring it into ex-
stence. wilIagain be patriolically offered for
its support.
The two remaining objections made by the
Ordinance 10 these laws are that the sums in
tended to be raised by them are greater than
are required, and that the proceeds will be
unconstitutionally employed.
The Constitution has given expressly to
Congress the right Of raising revenue and Of
determining the sum the public exigencies
will require. The States have no control
over the eA ercise Of this right other than
that which results from the power Of chang
ing the Representatives who abuse it, and
thus procure redress. Congress may UNI
doubtedly abuse this discretionary power, but
the same may be said Ut others with which
they are vested. Yet the discretion must ex.
list somewhere. The Constitution has given
It 10 the Representatives, Of all the people
checked by the Representatives ofthe States.
and by the Executive power. The South
Carolina Construction gives il to the Legisla-
ture or the Convention Of single State,
whers neither the people of the different
States, nor the States in their separate capa-
city, nor the Chief Magistrate elected by ihe
people. have any representation. Which is
the most discreet disposition ofthe power p
do. not ask you, fellow citizens, which is the
constitutional dispostion-that instrument
speaks languages not 10 be misunderstood.
But il you were to assemble 10 general co0-
ventiOn, which would You think the safest.
depository of this discretionary power 10 the
last resort? Would you add clause giving
it to each Vt the States, or would you sane.
ton the wise provisions already made by our
Constitution Ifthis should be the result of
our deliberations when providing for the fu-,
ture, are you, can you be ready, to.risk all
that we hold dear, to establish, for a tempo
rary and local purpose, that which you must
to be destructive and even alb
snrd as general provision Garry out the
consequences Of this right vested in the differ
ent States, and you must perceive that the
crisis your conduct presents Mt this day
would recar whenever any law Of the United
States displeased any Of the States, and that
we should soon cease to be nation.
The Ordinance, with the same knowledge
Of the future that characteristics former OBJ
lection. tells you that Tie proceeds Of the tax
will be unc.bnstitntS0naity applied. IL this
could be asccrtained with certainty, the uhiec-
for the law 81 applying the proceeds. but
surely cannot be urged against the laws levy
ing the duty.
These are the allegations contained in the
Ordinance. Examine them seriously, my
fellow. citizens. Judge for yourselves. lap
peal 10 you TO determine whether they are so
clear. SO convincing, as To leave no doubt Of
their. correctness aud even if you should
COME to this conclusion, how far they Justify
he reckless. destructive course, which you
ire directed to pursue. Review these obiec-
ions, and the conclusions drawn from them,
,nce more. VIVA, are they? Every law, then,
For raising revenue, according 10 the South
Carolina Ordinance, may he rightfully aDnul
led, unless II be- % framed as no Laws ever viii
pr can he framed. Congress have right TO
pass laws for raising revenue, aud each State
have right Ia oppose. their execuiioo---two
rights directly opposed to each olher--and
yet is this absurdity supposed TO be contain
ed IN an instrument drawn for the express
purpose of avoiding collisions between the
States and the General government. by an
assembly of the most enlightened statesmen
and purest patriots ever embodied for SINH
lar purpose.
In vain have these sages declared that Con-
gressshali have power to lay and collect tax
rs. duties, imposts, and excises-in vain have
they provided that they shall have power to
pass laws which shall be necessary and prop
or TO carry those powers into execution, that
those laws and that Constitution shall be the
- supreme law Of The land, and that the jadg-
es IN every State shall be bound thereby. any
thing in the Constitution or laws Of any State
to the contrary notwithstanding" In vain
have the people ofthe several States solemn
" sanctioned these provisions. made them
their paramount law, and individually sworn