Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1833-04-30

struggle which this State has maintained in the cause of
liberty and the Constitution for many years. and not
from indifference TO the honor intended nor want OF
respect Tor those who have rendered it, in so
kind, and with an appreciation aud atteng 10
command my most profound gratitude.
Foreseeng, from the commencement of this conrover
sy that the part which sense of duty compelled to
take would from the position occupied expose the State
as well as myself TO the mputaon OF false and unworthy
motives and thereby tend weaken the sacred cause for
which she commended, deemed il my duty i'm order TO OBJ
viatc as far practicable such effect decline accept
ing all such testimonials of the public approval of INV
course, as have been offered This originating sense
oil duty, has been in strict accordance with my feelings
avlng no personal object in view have looked singy
an honest and faithful discharge oil wa; believe TO be
my uuy regardless oil the effects on my future prospects,
or even on the standing may have acquired by past
vices with large portion OF fellow zens with whom
has and still continues differ. in reference TO the pub.
TIC interest," at this important crisis-The reason which
has heretofore governed my conduct, must still continue
TO influence me1he struggle preserve the liberty and
constitution OIL the country, and TO the corrupt and
dangerous tendency Of the Governments far from being
over Is not more than commenced In making this asser-
ton, do not intend say that have gained alrea.
dy, an important advantage. Commencing the contest
as the State did, alone and under many disadvantage
against system apparently 80 immovaby established aud
sustained by so large majority, and powerful inter
est opposed aud denounced both by the administration and
the opposton-to COME off, not only without defeat but
with decided success, is indeed a triumph.
In spite Of all these difficulties, we have upheld and
successfully asserted our doctrines, and proved by actual
experience, that the rejected and reviled right OF nuli-
cauoh NOT as ITS opponents asserted revolution dis
uhoh ou Is Hat nlgn, peaceabe, and efficient remedy,
mat great conservative principle OF the SYSTEM which
claim 1t TO be, and as il has proved that too after all
the usual remedies had failed and when without il none
other remained, but Secession, the last OPP
pressed State, but which, like powerful but danger
Gus medicine, cannot be prescribed till the disease
come more dangerous than the remedy and when the life
OF the patient, with without, is almost despared Of
Nor let any one suppose that have stated the facts toe
strongly in saying that have successfully asserted our
doctrines 10 these assertions be attributed the re-
cent adjustment of the tariff which whatever obections
there may be TO OF the details there can be no dv
sion oil opinion on the point that the principle for which
me state conended, that the duties ought to be imposed
Tor revenue, and that ought be raised than the
economical wants of the Government NAV demand, IS
openly and explicitly acknowledged by the Government
lime is true, has been literally allowed the graa
termination OF the system in order avoid the shock and
losses OF individuals, which necessarily follow all sudden
transitions, even from erroneous principle of
legislation; but feel hazard little asserting that the
system will expire at the appointed time, never more to
DE !eVVed FOR inns great result, you little to me-
or any other individual. 1t is the work OF the State
the truth OF the doctrines for which she conended and
the hrm and heroic zeal with which she has been sustain
ed by her sons in asserting them; and bv none more so
than by those OF Edgeeld district which has dstn.
gushed itself among the foremost its union and promp-
tude IN this great conest-lts repeat the noble re-
solve OF her sons, to prefer the Constitution liberty to
life ITSELF TO which, under Providence we are to attribute
this success OF our righteous cause.
But let us not deceive ourselves by suppong that the
danger past have but checked the disease If one
evil has been remeded, another succeeded the force
act in the place of the protective SYSTEM measure strik
ing directly at the fundamental principle OF the Constu
ton, and deliberately passed TO place the statute book
and thereby give legal sanction theory of the Con-
shtuuon utterly hostile TO that entertained by u.s. and
may add, almost the entire South rest not this assertion
on inference. What state, openly avowed in de-
bate and among others by its leading advocate the dis
nguished Senator from Massachusetts, who conceded that
the theory be true, that the Constitution is compact
tomedby the people Of the States as distinct So
veregn and binding between them SUCH
then would the bill be, have asserted be- d
recy opposed TO the fundamental principles of the Con-
situtlon and utterly subversve OF that instruments and
that the bill could be indicated only on the opposite view
/ and on hicI ba -.
passage; the view which regarded the people of these
States as one nation, and the Government as possessing the
exclusive night OF interpreting in the last resort lis own
ana mus practically substituting for the Consti-
tuition the will OF the majority, with the RE hit Of assuming
to enforce their exercise however oppressive and uncon.
stutlona at the point OF the bayone or even with the
moose oil halter Such Constitution as ATTEMPT
ed 10 be established by existing law Of the land and
such will be the Constitution in fact should this odious
act not be resisted till il be erased from the statute hook
IL be not reslstedi by our acquiescence, the prnci
pies on which it rests be practically established then will
there be an end to constitutional and limited Govern
ment with it, to liberty and the Constitutions for to expect
10 preserve either, under such a Government would be
gination of man.
The theory of Constitutions which is thus attempt
cd TO be established by lava theory which denies that
me Constitution is compact between the States and
when traces all It's powers TO majority OF the American
people, in other words which denies the federal cha
acter OF the Government, and asserts that il is CONSOLE
dated SYSTEM OF recent origin for the first time
Out three years since, and first officially proclaimed and
] a
II Is SAID, IN the Convention which framed that Cons-
tuton IN favor of Consolidation; but it is fact per
iecy established by the journals of its PROCEEDINGS
at hey were defeated in that design and from the dis
solulon oil That body till the time stated all parties the
federal as well as the republican, proessed at least to be-
heVe mat ours was federal system OF Governments to
use The language OF Fisher Ames of the most
and distinguished OF the former party, ga republic Of
states, arrayed in Federal Union" The dangerous
herey oil which the odous force bill the first fruit a
Ter having Oeen mus suppressed in the convention was
vved, under the belief that it was the certain and ecc
a means oil hiking the country for ever the UNEQUAL
UNJUST ana unconstitutional system, which long op.
pressed The staple States, and is now placed among the
acts OF the Government for future use; like letters forged
ana hued TO The limbs OF the States and hung I'D to be
sed as occasion may hereafter require. If il be permitted
10 remain there quietly the time will come when il will
certainly be employed for the intended and we may
rest assured that an army of fifty thousand bayonets en-
camped IN the midst OF the staple States, would not half
so certainly subject them TO the will of ayyess uncheck
ed and unresraned majority who would not fail TO ware
war under the color of legislation OH their property and
prosperity, more oppressive aud more degrading, than
would be tribute exaced by actual force
But as formidable would be this measure if ac.
guessed in may be easily overthrown if promptly and
spr'edly opposed; which, may add would do more TO
any oher conceivable event found my belief as TO the
"clhty with which it may be overhrown if properly op-
Poed on the character OF the itself its paoabe
uhcOhstuuonally in many particulars its tend
ehcy, us novelty; the daring assumptions on one side
ahu uena oil facts on The other necessary TO sustain M
e absence oil any direct and powerful pecunry interests
as IN the protective sysem) support it, above ALL ON the
deep conviction which the weaker portion of the Union
must shortly lee ii does not already of concert of GEN.
nent anu action, not only to arrest the measures i'm nues-
uo Out 70 guard againsta recurrence similar danger
nn1'her, and an important advantage in this contest