Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1832-12-20
TO TIE EDITORS OF THE RICHMOND EvoUJpRp
THE CRISIS

THE CRISIS ~''1f"
La addressing you at this time, have TO claim the bene
nj oil general invitation put forth in YOUR paper few
days ago. in which you solicit the opinions of the publc
generally with regard tile proper course which Viron;
pursue al ts most interesting crisis affairs
s was most justly observed by distinguished member
OF the House of Delegates in his place the ntegriw -,
our oon and the peace and prosperity of our beloved
country are threatened from two opposite points o a,cL
me one IRON South Carolina, who is about TO throw, b.r
sell on what she considers her reserved RIGHTS for The
pose OF arreslng general law of the UDon the other
rom me head oil The Federal Government who in obe
dehce TO the duties prescribed by his station and oaih If
ONCE ieeIs himself called TO interpoe the Executive
arm IN order 10 restrain the rash proc ednps of mis-.
GUIDED Sa'e. IL must be obvious to every one OF ordina-
~ reflection that this struggle between state govern
e e1, ana me United States, come when will cannot
nu virginia an idle or an indifferent spectator Had she mo
principles TO maintain, lurking preudces TO be aroused
nor any dormant feelings be excited-were she indeed
DESTROYS of being cold and istess neutral her ioc
uoh would forbid 1t. The maddened impulse of con-
tending PASSIONS and the din of conendng arms ON every
sue oil her would wake her from her etharey and uroo
her 10 actlon Disguise the matter as we NAV we must
' nu e great questions Tor us now decide arc ho,o
we shall act, aud When shall act! When we cons;Jsr
ou present CONDITION, and the momentous occurrences
pressing on each other with fearful rapdiiy all tending 10
some uncertain, but awful crisis the necessity of action
and immediate action. forces itself upon the convictions of
all. "
There are but two nodes in which the influence n .
State Can be exered the by the exercise of lis moral
me oner oil ITS physical power The latter so far as Yir-
ga Is al present concerned, of the question IL
sue mas any moral lniuence-and pride would induce
us TO believe that she hasough il not 10 be Tor the
no purposes oil peace in order that the jarjne elements
OF dscod may be harmonzed into friendship and Union.
In assuming 10 herself the high responsibility Of Media
,or I'D placing herself between the two ming par
ues' is necessary That she shouI forward in such
manner as TO Inspire the confidence and respeet of
both She should avoid the tone or manner Of partizsn
Oh'e's ms rs done, she would be DICTATOR and not
OF one must express her opinions in gard to the
c'",oVefsy III frank and uDreserved manner or she
would be suspected by both parties The great and fun
uaeh'a principles upon which she has heretofore acted
and means TO continue act must be set forth in clear
aDiri will ha
unheeded and despsed. Before proceeding il may be
NECESSARY TO inquire, what gives Virginia the RICH,
OF makes her duty 10 inerpose in this mater Is IL
her military strength? nnsylvania and New York are
stronger rs 1t her central position Maryland is more
IS her uncommon and patriotic exertions in
"e great Struggle OF the Revoluionl Massachusetts
sood y her side, making the same cvalrous exer,ions
the same generous edenis Is IT, in fine because she
Southern Siae, and fellow sufferer with South Ca.
rolna So is Georgia, North Carolina and Alabama
NO: tits none OF these. Her 6rm manly and patroi 10
eNeons IN the great cause Of State Righsber bold and
successful struggle in the when Inc cloud ssdark-
e anu "hen there was none to help, together with her
nnhpchng attachment The Union has PRED the con.
hdence aud respect Of all parties The she leaves
ms ground The hrm base OF all her honour and glory
The magic OF her name is gone her wand is broken -
Whatever part she may choose act let this ground be
Kept sacfed y - here her principles based here they
must be buried But there must be something more 10
entile us 10 the high distinction OF media'or We've here
not we should be altogether he side Of South Carolina
ana against The General Government Fortunately for
our e"aroc'er as mediator, the is different We do
not believe hat Nulli6cson is constitutional cor prsc.
hcab'e remedy We do the reason or the Justice
OF one State giving The law tvs enty-ihree OF ENJOYING
ne advantages Of some laws and escaping the burdens OF
others OF being n the Union for purposes and ous
OF II for others. We believe hat South Carolina has act
cd Precpitstely without making great efforts az she
nigh have done for The purpose gaining the eooreration
OF her co States We ought 10 advise her nav solicit and
conjure her, TO procrastinate her ordinance-wa little
longer Tor redress from Congresresor 10 every mode Of
constitutional redress practice patience and fohearance
long as they vrues;-aner doing this aher exhausng
every ordinary means, call General Convention or a
Convention Of the aggcved States. All this we ought
eNhof her TO DO before resorng to her present
measures. While we speak thus frankly To sontb caro-.
Ina we ought TO say to her at the lime the hear.