Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1832-08-24
TO TIE EDITORS OF THE EMO UIRER.
THE VIRGINIA DOCTRINES,

o.
In my preceding remarks, have denied that the doc
rne OF Modification can derive any authority from any
precedent set by Virginia, any doctrines or principles
recognized by any of the public authorities of that State
proceed TO examine the proofs this subject and mar
ucuary TO enquire into the character the objects and
tendency oil the resolutions of 1913, and the report
the subsequent session. Before refer the resolutions
and report, will state, that there are two differences
clearly deducibe from them The first is that the Legs
aure who passed them evinced through their whole pro-
ceSdings sincere and ardent attachment the Union
and Constitution of the United States The second that
the principles advanced, and the proceedings adopted
were believed by the assembly, and in truth fully
authorized and justified by the constitution II sue
coed IN establishing these propositions think may
ser shall have proved the proposition contained i'm the
motto which have assumed for these numbers that:
"Ihe piTginia Doctrines not ratification"
That the Virginia Assembly acting under feelings
OF strong attachment TO the Union and constitution are fully
declared in the following passages in the report:
Pa 81 The first OF the resolutions of 9S99, is in the
words tollowng
g ReSored, That the General Assembly of Virginia
doth unequivocally express firm resolution to maintain
and defend the Constitution Of the United States and the
constitution oil Tins State, against every aggression, either
foreign or domestic, and that they will support the 90
yernmento the United States in all warranted
by the former"
On this resolution the Report of '09-Is comments as
follows: "NO unavorable comment have been made on
the sentiments here expressed TIE maintain and defend
the Constitution OF the u States and of their own State
against every aggression, both foreign and domestic and to
support the government of the u States in all measures
warranted by their Constitution are duties which the Gen
erd Assembly ought always TO feel and TO which such
occasion, it evidently proper to express their sim
cere and firm adherence
In their next resolution, the General Assembly most
soemnly declares warm attachment TO the Union of the
States, to maintain which, ii pledges all its powers and
that Tor this end their duty to watch oppose
every inracon OF those principles which constitute the
only basis of that Union because faithful observance of
them alone secure its existence and the public happ
ness"
The observation just made ia equally applicable TO this
solemn declaration OF attachment to the Union and
this solemn pledge to maintain it: can any question
arise among enlightened friends of the Unon as TO the
duty of watching and opposing every nraction of
those principles, which constitute it's basis and faithful
Observance of which can alone secure its existence and
the public happiness thereon depending"
These resolutions and the comments on them with
which Mr. MadsOns Report introduced, manifestly
shew, that he not about to Justify any step which could
be deemed Incompatible with the Union or contrary to the
Constitution. Indeed the whole scope and tendency Of
the Report was TO shew that the proceedings OF the last
session, perfectly compatible with an entire devo
lion TO both OF them The OF the resolutions OF the
Assembly OF 1898, was declaration that the Alien and
Sedilion laws unconstitutional aud call on the
other States to cooperate in this declaration obviously
with view to effect repeal Of Them by the influence OF
public sentiment The States who responded this APP
peal refused to unite in the expression of the sentiments
declared by the Virginia Assembly, arragnnQ the pro-
ceedngs OF that Assembly unconstitutional and some of
them indicating the Alien and Sedon acts expedient
and constitutional IL was TO justify the proceedings Of
the Assembly, ADD to prove them constitutional that this
celebrated report was made, and to these objects its
sonng was directed How then can il be pretended that
any thing IN either the resolutions the report
ed unconstitutional measures, advanced principles OF
that character or how they be quoted afordng
P''' ~" Wo"9uItHs winch ny no course OF argument
can be proved to be remedies justified by the Constitution,
or compatible with the Union of the States2
But TO make still palmer that the report and resolu-
tons were only applicable to remedies constitutional in
their character will refer 10 the two last resolutions adopt
ed by the Assembly Of 1898, which Indicate o only step
which they intended 10 take and which the preceding
solutions and the reasoning therein contained, in
tended TO INTRODUCES and justify These two resolutions
ard tie comments on them IN tile report clearly slew
that nothing was intended anti constitutional in ITS clarac
ter hut that the only object defend le rights Of the
states ana the people through the agency Of public OPT
non as essential TO preserve both the Union, and the Con
suiuon In page 80 of tho Report tie following pas
sages; The two concluding resolutions only remain {,
/ be examined. They in the words following:"
| That the good people Of this Commonwealth havns
ever elt and continuing feel the sincere affection
Tor their brethren OF the other States; the test anxet,
for establishing and perpeuang the union Of alt and thu
most scrPuous fidelity TO that Constitution, which th
pledge Of mutual lficndship. 3 ,- instrument Of nu