Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-06-21
THURSDAY, JUNE 81. 1882.
From the Charleston s. C. Papers Of 14th inst
UNION MEETING.

Henry Middleton was called 10 the CHAIR, anu
John Phillips, Esq. appointed Secretary.
James L. Petigru, Esq. then rose, and after
reviewing. in an impassioned and lucid argu-
ment, the political condition Of the State. moved
that a Committee be nominated by the Char, to
take into consideration the purposes OF this meet
ing. and TO report theron.
During the Committees absence, Richard
Yeadon, Juur. Esq. in a most appropriate, elo-
auent, and forcible speech, offered the following
resolution, which was unanimously adopted:
ResoIred That the Hon. John Forsyth, CT
Georgia, Is entitled to the warmest thanks OF the
Upio6 Party of South Carolina, for his manly
and generous defence, in the Senate Of the Unit
ed States, OF their principles and motives, when
gratuito usly assaulted aud traduced, by Senator
of their own state, in Secret Session OF the Sc
nate.
The Committee Oh their return, presented
through their Chairman, the following Address
and resolutions:
FsLlov Citizens-'rhe present state of the pub.
affairs demands your earnest attention. BY an
iii Judged and most unhappy course OF legislation,
the General Government has imposed on reluc-
tant people, burthens and restrictions which
have excited the keenest sense OF injustice. In
their opposition 70 the Protective System, the
people OF the Southern States have been nearly
unanimous, and as long as resistance TO that sys-
TEN was cou6ned to constitutional means, no di-
vision Of parties i'm relation to that subject, could
have existed in South Carolina; but the case was
altogether changed when our politicians, instead
Of combining their opposition to the Tariff, began
to attack the Constitution itself. When Nullih-
cation was proposed by our State Rulers, it was
seen that it could not be adopted, without treat
ing the Constitution as a nullity. Those who
had been bred up in a sincere attachment to the
,t,,t,, nf tno,e nNfa ha mar
suaded to sacrifice them SO easily; and without
pal!iating or excusng the errors of the General
Government, they refused to concur in measure
that involved its destruction. But moderate
councils 6nd little favor with those who are bent
ON new opinions; and to intlame beyond all
bounds the Indignation Of people naturally jsa-
lou, OF their rights, and cause them in consider
Ing the end, 10 overlook al objection to the cha
racter Of the means employed, was regarded by
sCme as the best or only proof Of disinterested
zeal for the public good. The lines of party
were in this way drawn-the separation is inev-
table-the difference admitted Of no compromise,
and the champions OF Modification have arrayed
one part of the State against another, in q time
Of all others requiring the greatest unanmity
among her citizens. The Union party have no.
thing 10 reproaeh themselves with; compelled as
they have been to withstand the inroads of liceu
tious Innovation, they have continued to main
tain the principles of the Constitution, without
batting one jot of their hostility to the Tariff.
The party whose distinctive character consists
in their peculiar notions OF the power OF State
10 nullify any law Of Congress which that State
may think unconstitutional, have hitherto been
unable or unwilling 10 reduce their theory TO prac
tice; but its real character can be easily under
stood, without the assistance OF practical Illus
tration. To see that the theory Is false we have
only to read the Constitution; and TO appreciate
the value OF that deceitful casuistry which con-
founds the distinctions between right and wrong,
it is only necessary TO read what has been written
with most ability in it's favor. IndefeDsible as
the argument is, that the Constitution reserves to
every State right to reverse the acts OF the Ge-
neral Government, the supporters of this doctrine
contend, that such power is essential to the pro-
lection of the Liberties OF the States. But it is
not Of such arms that the cause of liberty stands
in need. If the Union be indeed yoke too hea-
Wy to he borne, the principle Of resistance is pa
ramoant to all Constitutions; bot to that princi-
pie, when crisis justifying resort to it shall ar
rive, IAN event which every good citizen and no.
nest man must fervently deprecated all Of US are
willing to appeal; except perhaps the few who
f1atter themselves that they have found out po-
ltical panacea-a scheme for resisting the law
without mourning its penalties; and setting at de-
without assuming an attitude of hostility.
The peaceful nature OF Modification is strenu-
ously insisted on, and has been often commended;
but in fact it is peaceful only far as it insi
dlous. II it bring on no collision with the Gene
raj Government il is inefficient, if it do the ques-
ton only be decided by the Sword. To that
issue, We repeat it, no American, with the head
or heart Of man, can look, without feelings of
far more anxiety than those which spring from
considerations Of personal safety. And in pro-
portion to the immense magnitude of the inte-
rests at stake, should be the deliberation with
which the resolve is made. But South Carolina
is not alone interested in the decisions the peace
the future hopes Of every Southern State are
equally at stake-for il is evident that in case
Of collision on the subject of the Tariff, be-
tween the State and the Union. our sister States
must Of necessity become parties; and the Multi.
6ers show plainly by their conduct, that as they
expect this contest to decide and forever the
riyhts of the States, under this Federal compact,