Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1832-12-13
Richmond, Thursday, bee. f3.
TIIE CRISIS.


from the Executive Department 1t is unnecessary
for us to say that refer the Presidents Procla
nation, concerning The movements Of South Carolina
Following the precedent set by Gen. Washington
in 93, when he issued his Proclamation, pending the
Whiskey Instruction i'm Pennsylvania he has come
forward TO commune with his countrynen about
the approaching crisis in South Carolina 10 explain
the views which he enterains of the duties which
may attach TO him as the Chief Magistrate of the
Union to address the citizens of his native State and
to warn them OF the dangers to which they may ex-
pose themselves and their country; to address the CT
zens OF all the United States, and them i'm
behalf OF that Union, whose manifold blessings he
has portrayed with an eloquence which has seldom
been equalled and never surpassed.
This generous effort TO eXtinguisl the torch of CT
wi discord, and TO preserve the Union, is worthy of
the patriot who has devoted his hest days the glo-
ny of his country and to The liberties of the human
race. The patriotism which breathes in this pro-
duction is entitled to all gratitude The ability
with which it is composed the powerful appeals
which IT makes TO The people of South Carolina and
of the Union, are calculated to make deep impress
sion upon every reader.
To every argument which il urges against the
doctrine of South Carolina Nufcation we cordial
ly subscribe. We regard the whole South Carroll
ma doctrine as mschevous and absurd heresy-I
as seeking TO place State, the Union and ont of
1t at The same ttme-as cancelling the laws of Gov
eminent, which II processes at the same moment to
respect. 1t is not Constitutional remedy but
Revolutionary measurement peaceful remedy: but
dccededto II ultimately works dissolution of the
confederacy, and If resisted it amounts to force and
to war; We agree thoroughly with the President
that the doctrine of the Nuifiers strikes blow at
the Union-that it would scarcely be equal to rope
OF sard II every State had the right of nullifying
every law which ii might pronounce to be contrary
TO Tho Constiutlon-and that the benefits of this
Union are inestimable. We believe that il is the
moral duty of every State, when it conccives itself
to be>aggrieved by unconstitutional encroachments
and even oppressed by tyrannous acts TO exhaust
every amlcable expcdient, before it talks of seces
hs,o,. Il IL.
ry constitutional measure for its reef-to appeal
through It's representatives and its senators to Con
gress--to seek 1t by amendment TO the Constitu-
tonic appeal TO its sister States for their co-ope-
ration-to confer with them in the fullest and frank
est manner about the wisest and most efficient
means for reliet-never to act with passion-neyer
10 act with preciPation-and never, except perhaps
~ the utmost extremity of OPPRESSION to act alone
FOR II every single State, in great confederacy of
twenty-four States may act s. Carolina is acting
now long could this Union hang together? In n
word, we repeat as have done over and over
hundred times with Mr.. Jefferson:
care we then to stand to our arms No That must
DC inc last resource not TO be thought of until much
longer and greater suliengs. If every infracton of
compact oil SO many parties TO be resisted once
| DIS dissolution oil II, none be formed which
would last one year. We have patience and longer
endurance then with our brethren while under deuson;
give them time for reflection experience of conseouen
ces Keep ourselves in situation profit by the chapter
oil accidents; and separate from Our companions onIv
tohen me sole alternatives left are the dissolution of
|
ioithou limitation Of pO,oers Between these t,oo euLs
(and Nuiicatiou not one Of them "when we must make
choice there can be hesitation. But in the mean.
while, the States shoNd be wachfu TO note avery
al usurpaiion OH their rights denonce them as thew oc
cur IN Inc most Perempory TERMS protest against them
as wrongs 10 which present submission shall be cons
dered not as or presidents of right but
as temporary yielding to the lesser evil until their ac
cumuiauon shall overweight that of separation"
We most cordially agree with the Procl,u,,,;on
therefore, III the views which it exhibits of the bles
sings oil inc onion and of the dangers which are
involved IN this heresy of Nullifcation.-We agree
with 1t, that the Ordinance of South Carolina has
been very precpitate under all the circumstances of
the case; when the condition of the country inn
periously demanded such modification of the din
"eS as shouid reduce them to Just and equitable
scae"-wben the Public Debt is about 10 he ex,in
gushed-when the act of the last session had broL
en- the Iceland when, since the Presidents Message
was delivered, and the great weight of the Execu
i've recommendation has been thrown into the scale
the prospect of relief has become brighter than
ever
1t is hoped tina. these appeals of the President TO
the good sense and patriotic feelings of the citizens
oi SCUM carolina VIII not be altogether unavang.
we cordially agree with so much of this Proclama-
tlon therefore, as embraces these several points
with great pleasure They are calculated to sink
deeply into the hearts of the people I'm fact we
nan with great pleasure so much ofihs Proclamation
as extends from the first clause through the three
llrst columns OF the o0ciaL copeland much of it
az extends from the paragraph as commences with
"fhese are the alternatives &C." down to the very
end OF the proclamation, with but very few exceD-
tons.
There are some doctri,lal points in the interme-
dlate passages, to which think il our duty TO
state that we cannot subscribe They are not essen
tally connected with the main object of the ProcIa-
mntion-and we regret to them i'm this paper nj
all They are embraced in the passage which ex-
tends from the paragraph commencing with the
words "IhIs right to secede," &c TO the paragraph
ending with Unjust oppose it at all hazards" These
doctrines relate to the right of Sccessiou-and 10 the
character ce tederd compact We regard the RICH, of
secession in the same light as Mr.. Jefferson does in
the memorable passage we have quoted above-and
we contend that we ought to "scparate from our
companions only when the sole alternatives left
are the dissolution Of Union with them or
su6mtSslon TO government tOithout limitation of
IPotoers"-And we also disagree with the Pro-
Icaination, as to the nature of the Federal Com
pact.-The States, though they have transferred
certain specified powers to the Federal Govern
ment, have the right to pass upon the manner in
which they may be exercised-und to interpose
MS Virginia did in 09, for arresting the progress of
The evil. The true doctrine is in fact developed in
the following Resolution of the Virginia Legislature
at that time:
"That this Assembly doth explicitly and peremptony
Declare that II views the powers Of the Federal Govern
men as resulting from The compact TO uciici The States
are Pa'ts, as limited by the plain and intention of
The Instrument constituting that compact; as no farther va.
d they are authorised by the grants enumerated
mat eompacb and that in Of deliberate pAlpable
and dangerous exerce Of other powers not granted by
the SAID compact, the States who parties thereto have
the right and are in duty bound To interpose |0r orTesng
ne progress Of the coil and for maintaining within their
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