Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1832-12-08

Many oil the sages oil that day. were dissatisfied with their
work. for reason, which is the very opposite of the truth.
They feared, that the General Government would
croach upon the rights Of the States, but that the States
would perpeualy be disposed pass their boundaries OF
power, aud 6ualy destroy the confederation. Had they
been blessed with the experience which have acquired,
there could have been TAO objection TO trusting the States,
who created the Government and who would not wiiuy
embarrAss it,, with veto under certain notifications II
seems Out re Ssouabe, iata spssd pow er which would
have required three f0urts oil the States ddd the
Constitution ought not he Insisted on by amsjoy in Con
gress implicitly eoaierred, more than fourth should
object it, To deny this would he decide finally the
validity OF power by positive majority of the people
At large, instead of comcurring majority OF the States
There Is, II IL true objection, aud ouy TO this
view ard that is that under this theory, majority little
beyond three ourts for instance, States
twenty four, might deprive Congress of powers which
have been expressly delegated. The this is
that IL would be very for single State to
claim the resumption O power, which had clearly de-
legaed ia POSjtre terms. But IL almost beyond
the range OF possibility that six other States should be
iound to sustain multiplying State in such pretenSion.
Should such case ever occur oneourth aud upwards
OF the States resolving break their pledges without the
slightest pretence II would shew, that II time TO dis
solve the league. Ii spirit oil friendship and fair dealing,
cannot bind ether the mebers of this Union
is dissolved the better So that this object is rather
nominal than substantial But the evil of this objection
IL, that whilst its admission would relieve from ima-
gnary peril, should be plunged uo that certain dan
ger OF AN unrestricted liberty Of Congress give in
stead OF a cOnederaed government, government with
out any Limitation upon its power than the will OF
iority.
Other objections have been urged against notification
1t IS said tat the President Congress might employ the
military and naval force OF the United States reduce
nuiying State into Obedience aud thus produce a civil
discussion amongst the members Of the conederacy. We
do not deem it necessary community, converant
with this part of the subject as that of South Carolina to
recaptuae the arguments which have been urged against
such an Improbable both for the of power,
aud on the ground Of eSpedency. But cannot pass
over one view which think sufficient quiet all APP
prehenson Oh that score. We live in age of reason
and intellect The idea of using force on an occasion of
this kind, is utterly at variance with the genius and spirit
OF the American people In truth, IT Is becoming repug
nant even 10 the genius and spirit of the governments
the old world. We have lately in England one of
the greatest reforms achieved which her history records
"a reorn which her wisest twenty years ago.
would have predicted could be accomplished without
civil war brought about by bloodess Revolution The
cause IL manifest Not only the people every where
better informed, but such IS the influence which public
opinion oNerts constituted authorities, that the rulers
OF this earth swayed by and Justice than
formerly Under such evident indications of the march OF
mind and intellect, it would be pay but poor compli-
nenl 10 the people OF these States 10 imagine that
sure taken by Sovereign State with the perfect good
feeling TO her couederates and the perpeuily of the
Uhon aud with no Other view than 10 force upon its
bers, the consideration Uf important constitutional
question: should terminate otherwise than peaceably.
Fellow Citizens, ii is our honest and firm belief that null
cdtion viii preserve, and not destroy this Union. But
we should regret TO conceal from you, that if Congress
should not be animated with patriotic aud liberal feeling
IN this conjuncture they give this controversy what
issue they please. Admit then that there risk of
Gus conflict with the federal government We know
better way to avoid the chance of hostile measures in our
opponents than TO evincc readiness danger come
rom what quarter wll We should think that the AmeTi-
can Revolution was indeed TO little purpose f cosdera-
ton OF this kind, deter people from asserting
their sovereign rights That revolution is well known
was not entered into by Southern from any
actual oppression, which the people suffered IL was
contest waged Tor PRINCIPLE, emphatcay for principle.
The calamites of revolution, Strife and civil war; were
tary presented TO the ilusrous patriots Of those times
which tried the souls OF The alternative was either
to remain dependant colonies in hopeless ervitue
become Tree, sovereign and independent Gates To attain
such distinguished rank amongst the nations of the EARTH
there was but one path, and that the path of glorythe
GROWING glory Of being accounted worthy of all suffering
embracing Ot a DrOtra wa
abroad and OF domestic evils home rather than TO sur
render their liberties The result of their abors is known
TO Tie world, through the Hood oight which that revou
ton has shed upon the science OF government and the
rights OF mann the "LESSON has ught the oppres
and in the it has Afforded to the oppressed"
in the inauguration oil the spirit of freedom every where
ana In The ameoraon Is producing in the social order
! OF mankind.
Inestimabe are the blessings of that welIreplated
freedom which permits direct his abors and his en-
terpse 10 the pursuit branch of industry TO which he
conceves nature has qualified him, unnoestod by avace
ehthroned In power. Such the freedom for which
South Carolina struggled when dependent colony Such
Is the freedom of which she the first fruit of
that revolutionary triumph which she assisted TO achieve
ouch Is te freedom she reserved TO herself entering
into the league. Such is the freedom of which she has
been deprived and TO which she be restored if her
commerce be worth preserving the spirit OF her Lau-
rens and her Gadsden has fled forever from our boz
Ii is in vain to tell South Carolina that she can look
to any administration of ihe federal government for the
protection OF her sovereign rights the redress of her
southern wrongs Where the fountain polluted il is
not TO be expected that the will again be pure
tue people have been accustomed 10 look, TO witt the
sponsibiy of the Governors the governed has proved
nerveless and hlusOry-under such a system, nothing
/ out radical reform in political institutions can
preserve this Union 1t is full time that we should
1 know what rights we have under the federal con-
siution, and especially ought we to know whe-
Tier we are to live under a consolidated government
or conicderacy OF Sates-wheher the States be so.
vereign or their local Legislatures be mere corpora
lions "A fresh understanding of the bargain we deem
absolutely necessary. No mode be devised by which
dispute can be referred TO the of all power but
by some one State taking the lead in the great enterprise
OF reform Till some Southern State tenders TO the
federal issue, il will continue to have its
appetite increased by what il feeds en- History adj
Onishes us that rulers have the forecast subs-
ute in good time reform for revolution. They forget that
1t Is always more desirable that the just claims of go
veTncd should break in them ''tlrough well CON
ryed and well disposed windows not through flaws and
breaches through the yawnng chains Of their own ruin
One State must, under the awful prospects before u.s.
throw herself into the breach in this great struggle for
constitutional freedom. There other mode OF ayyak-
enng the attention OF the coStates grievances which
II suffered to accumulate, disnember the Union Ii
has fallen TO lot, fellow. citizens first to quit our
trenches. Let us 90 TO the assault with cheerful
hearts and undaunted minds.
Fellow. citizens, the die is now cast We have solemn
y resolved on the course which it becomes our beloved
State to pursuowe have resolved that until these 9bses
shall be reformed, "NO MORE TAXES SHALL BE
PAID HERE" "Nlions tor defence but not a cent for
tribute And now we call upon citizens native and
adopted, oprepare Tor the crisis and becomes
men and lreemen We call upon all classes and all par
ties to forget their former differences and to unite in so
Tenn determination TO abandon this contest until
such change be ell cted in the councils OF the nation
MAT all the citizens OF this conederacy sha participate
equally in the benefits and the burthens of the govern
meni 10 this solemn duty we invoke you in the