Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-04-12
CcoMMuSIoArED.]
Tn the Honorable G. NJ Troup.


zens of Georgia, relative to the late decision Of
the Supreme Court. in the case Of Samuel A.
Worcester VS.. the State Of Georgia. The great
interests that have been conhded to your ofhc'al
conduct as Governor Of that State. as also Sena.
tor Of the Legislature Of the United States should
give to your opinions more than ordinary consi-
deration; especially when they are INTENDED u
rive 10 public sentiment bias which may esseh-
tally affect the political condition OF our country!
When yon assume upon yourself the h'gn wa
tion of debating rules of deciding and acting on
,r.., na,,onal measures, you make yourself re-
snops;hIe for the correctness of your sentiments
~ every individual whose independence IS inse.
narably connected with our political doctrines.
Whether YOUR extraordinary address to some OF
YOUR constituents is indicative of your ignorance
of the essential principles Of the government un-
der which we live, or of your restitution oil
due regard for those principles, you have submit
ted to the consideration Of intelligent treemen.
The most obscure citizen may understand the
principles Of tine government to which he owes
allegiance, and the civil obligations imposed on
him by that government, as well as the most
powerful officer in its administration. Ana "hen
men in high stations, through the influence OF
power, would propagate pern'cious errors, " De-
comes the duty ofevery citizen to expose 'heh 70
the ordeal of public sentiment
II is believed, Sir, that the tree white PoPu'a'
ton of Georgia. as well as OF the other States uh
derstand the difference between government Oh
laws. or free government ano despo"c gov
.rument. or one which depends on the arbitrary
will of one OF few individuals; aud 1t must be
ackno !, lodged, even BY yOu,-whatever may De
your ideas of State Sovereignties,-that the gov
eminent of the United States Is government of
a I'M m a.
ture and political character of man, do not be.
,ieye their rights and liberties can be secure un-
der any other government. They must, there
fore, believe it an important duty OF men IN your
sat,on,-to whom civil power and public conf
dence nav have given more than an ordinary ia
fluence over the public mind.-to inculcate. both
by orecept and example. strict obedience and pro.
found respect to those laws, and to the decisions
of ,hose who are thereby appointed to expOund
and enforce them.
What apology, Sir, then can be offered to JUS
tify YOU in descending from the dignity OF your
station, for the purpose not only 81 exposing your
own want of due respect tor the laws to which
You awe not only your own consequence, but the
Security of YOUR rights aud all your political well
fare. bu, for the puI pose OF exiting the indis-
n,nt feelings IT your fellow citizens against the
highest judicial tribunal Of your country? BY
what authority do you assume upon yourself the
Office to instruct the people OF Georgia that the
decision of the Supreme Court Of the United
States is flagran,,v uiotGiiye Ut their sovereign
riyh, a. ANY other individual has the same au-
thorirv, and il Is hoped much more wisdom to
direct the political conduct Of the people ct Geor-
uia, than you appear to have. hope. Sir, as
You do, the people of Ge riga will treat the deci
sion of the Supreme Court with moderation, dig
nifty, and trmness; and 81 treating 1T, Georgia
will be uahurt by any disastrous effects your
pernicious councils have tendency TO produce.
The Jud .es cannot, SIR, as you would pre-
sumptuorsly pretend, know that the people OF
Georgia will not yield obedience to their man.
dates. But should the government OF Georgia
be SO infatuated a. To encourage her citizens to
resist their mandates, it cannot be believed the
Judges would either need or desire any pretexts
for the enforcement Of them. Neither will the
Judges want power to enfnrce their mandates. 1t
the Chief Magistrate 0f the United States under
stands his constitutional duties, and performs
them. as YOU profess to believe he will. You
saw. If YOU mistake not. g the Chief Magistrate
will defend the sovereignty of the States as he
would the sovereignty at the Union.' Ii, Sir,
sou mean by this to express your opinion that
the President would defend the sovereignty Of
each individual State, ln eNeIC'sihS WHAT uey
NAV pretend to believe is their right OF dsannul.
ling the laws Of the United States, or the decisi-
ons of the Supreme Court Of the United States.
which the Judges of that Court believe are made
in conformity to those laws, it is believed YOU
labor under a great mistake. You err. Sir. in as
Stunning to Yourself, the people Of Georgia, and
the Chief Magistrate. the right of deciding ques-
ton of State sovereignty which, BY the Constitu-
ton and laws Of our country, is committed to the
decision Of the Supreme Court of the U s. The
question is not, whether it ought to have been
committed to some other tribunal Neither your
opinion nor mine can take from that Court the
rights or the powers with which the laws have in
vested it, 1t Is believed, Sir, that the safety and
welfare of the people Of the q. s require that the
powers of that Court should be exercised over
every portion Of our population to which the laws
of Congress have extended its jurisdiction; and
If things must come to their worst, as you say
thew must very soon, it is confidently believed
that not only the fanatics of the North, but men
Of talents. integrity, aud patriotism from every
rail- IN fhoir lard