Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-12-19
COMMUNICATIONS.
~, n. Editor of The alexandria Gazette.

SIp-Ihe late events IN South Cdro'lna ue-
rn.nd the srriou, attention ut the American peo- !
pie They are we'll calculated TO bring into &C.
t,un every principle Of patriotism. They 'eacn
u, a lesson, that while the Constitution Is heiu
sacred. oppression and tyranny merit our hisn-
est de,e>la,ion. We are. hoaevsr. fully apprs-
ell Of T.. TACT, that thisSrote is not the first tina;
b,, come into coiflct with the General Govern
MN, in the defence of assertedrghts. Ma
nv other States have led the way: 81 that we
cannot be much surprised at the c"u's pursueu
b, Carolina. She Is equally entitled To our 'o'e
and regard, and We shuuid look upon ner wiz"
the same degree Of affection as we nave "''''e'tT
dome. Much diversity of opinion may prevaii
=. =, tho mode she has adopted in the assertion
NJ her sovereign rights; but In principle she mas
nat denarted from the example which has been
cot her in various parts OF this Union one 'aS
exhibited great share Of irankness anu c"huof,
in the course she pursucs. She mas conceae"
nothing from the public eye. Distinguished, as
she has always been. tor pre'emiheh, Pa"'o"s:'
in every trying crisis .s the country, her ih'esi
~ cannot be suspected. her motives cannot De
impeached. She is the best judge oil her own
condition, and all her statements and representa-
tons are entitled TO the highest credit. by Tue
Ordinance of her Convention, she has exp esseu
the determination of her will; aud. from hei az
knowle,gcd chiyalrv. we know that her WIZ -
the rule of action. Upon this point it is lmpos'
sibIs that the American people can be deceived.
As I, The results that would follow total disre'
gard Of her publicly expressed opinions d'uo'
cannot for a moment exist. Upon sueh o'''e
rard, | am apprehensive that the existence "
I'M. Union drperds. in the event et tha' o'a'e
leaving thi. Union, can discover no'hihg ou'
line Of separation Of the Southern from o'e
N,rtbern States: An event that will be deprecat-
A NJ
that separation i, Is our duty to raise our warn
inr voice aud 10 cat! upon every patriot tn save
# possible. the ship of state from destruction
There is nothing OF despnndenc, in the at'empt,
but every thing to ensure happy termnat'n "
such patrin,Ic eudeay0rs. AT the very outset we
disco, er that resort to force is entirely out 81 the
question. and The exercise of II Nill, To every
purnase, be- dissolution vt all governmental
Neither can perceive that the GENERAL cavern
ment will consider themselves at liberty 10 use
force. Upon this subject the State of SnI'h
Carolina In, displayed a maguani'n''y winch
should win the gratitude OF every American. she
has prutcs I'd against civil war she has declare"
tina: she will not be guilty of shedding one drop
Of rsternal blood:-so0ner than tnls melancholy
,rsuedy should be acted, she has avowed her de-
Termination to become new and separate State,
,c,inr upon the principle contained in the De
the rest Of mankind. enemies in war, II peace
friends. Neither can any necessity exist Tor the
arn,icatinp 2f ynlPncc. We are warranted IN
again. many cases OF protest. rearonstrancs am,
conflict at upIhion between the s'~tea 49,
General Government settled bv the adoption of
pacific policy. Jealousies and art-bnrninss
have been quoted. And what has been the re.
suit OF this pacific poiicy?-'rhe continuance Of
this Republic in the possession of unparalleled
blessings. Nothing can justify the application
OF force. The numerous contests that have ex.
listed, have always been settled in an amicable
way IL certain powers or rights have been cues
toned. they have always. in some shape or o.
Their, been disposed Of without resort to violence
This is the principle OF the Constitution itself
II was entirely matter Of compromise. Upon
that basis it has been founded, aud by il it gu sht
to be regulated. At this particular crisis, abnve
all others. such course Is highly desirable. Ii
has been said, bv persons hostile to the liberty of
the human family, that man Is no, fitted for self.
government The declaration has been made by
tyrants, who delight in enslavinS, not oniv the
bDdy. but the mind. The experiment has been
tried with success 0a this side of the Atlantic
Man has been found capable of self-govprnment.
For more than half a century. Notwithstanding
our jars and contentious, the people of these
States have governed themselves, aud have Sc
Wtdith, idpplHesS anu large
tinn of freedom. The course that South Caro-.
Ina has pursued By nu means shakes the popular
sentiment of sef-legsia'iou She is conten.ling
for what she deems h"r rights; and in this con.
test NJ more blame can he attached TO her than
what beI0ngs 10 other States which have acted in
like manner. The controversy ought to be set.
tied IN anicable wav. and this surely can be
done by spirit OF Cancellation and compromise
II NAV be further remarked, that the States of
this Union have generally Welded to all the obi.
CATIONS that the Constitution has clearly imposed
upon them. All their difficulties have arisen
from doubtful points. and, il the history of all
these controversies Is traced, th.S will b. found
tn owe their origin tn that unlimited construc ton
which naturally engenders jealousy, and is not
supported ov the true spirit and Interpretation of
the Constitution. The struggle has been and
is now. Oh the part Of the States or the people,
against the usurpation Of power by the General
Government They have all along been con-
tending against consolidation Of powers or mo.