Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1832-11-13
w. II. CRAWFORD.

The following extract of a letter from this gentleman.
addressed 10 a citizen OF Dallas county, Alabama. We have
copied from the Tuscaloosa JntelIgcncer, as originally
published i'm The Southern Argus.
Mr.. Calhoun says that notification is a peaceable
constitutional remedy. Mr.. M'Dufie ia a late speecI, hs.
declared il a revolutionary measure. As a revolutionary
measure i object to IL, because i'm its very nature il musi
be Inefficient. When a revolutionary measure is rcsorted
to, u should be one that, il successful, would relieve from
the evil that Expresses. Since | have reflected upon the
measure, | am somewhat Indifferent about nulllhcation
because l am convinced that II will not produce civil war.
The call OF a State Convention to consider of the means
best adapted 10 obtain relief, | consider not the best course,
but one likely to produce no immediate evil.
l ain still Tor calling a Federal Convention. That is a
constitutional measure, and think ought TO be the first
step taken. Our Federal Constitution is the only one in
the civilized world which enables a nation TO revise lis
Fundamental law from time TO time.
In other nations changes in this law are the results OF
Revolution and bloodshed. England is the only instance
in modern history Of a change Of Constitution by legal
means. In this republic, where the Constitution has given
us the right of calling a Convention TO revise that ii,slru
ment, we seem disposed TO refuse that means, and choose
rather TO resort to Revolution 10 effect that object, like the
inhabitants OF the old world, without rejecting that They
have no other means Of rightng their wrongs.
Some in this State are opposed TO a Convention; and foI
what reason? Why, that instead OF producing the change
we desire, the Constitution would he so changed as to FIX the
system upon us Of which we now complain. Suppose II
did; what injury would it do usl 1t is fixed upon us b,
the present legislation, as firmly as If it were constitution.
Al, and will be adhered to as pertinaciously as IL express
ly authorized by the Constitution. ! am convinced thai
much OF the complaints and discontents that now exist
are the result of a conviction hat the tariff law Is uncon-
stitutional. lf we believed IL to he constitutional, we
should submit to IL without a Durmur. But Is IL certain
that such would be the result Of a Conventions I think
there is no such certainty. The same men when met in
Convention would probably act very differently from what
they would act on tie floor Of Congress. In the latter
they act upon a Constitution which they allege has con-
ferred upon them the very power OF which we complain
They have put their construction upon ", and they are
influenced by every motive Of selflove, combined with
love OF power and interest, 10 adhere TO that construction.
When met in convention, the question will be, wha
power shall be granted the Federal Government, no
lDhnt has been.
The members from the South would say. we must b,
protected from being robbed and hlChed ob %iibiftDi, or W,
must cease to belong TO the Confederation. Choose thi
alternative which is most congeuial with your feelings an,
your interest. All we ask Is security from robbery am
pilIage under color Of law. If you will not renounce III
tight aud practice Of p%lundering us dd h6itunl, we vii
renounce all partnership with you; after which you ma,
continue your restrictive system at pleasure.
II all the anti tariff States will pass resolutions, caiIinl
a Federal Convention, and the Tariff States shall refus
their concurrence, il wil amount sos dechrsffoa on thei