Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1833-01-15
Virginia Legislature.
FEDERAL RELATIONS-ICon,;,,,cI

SPEECH OF MIR. DICKERsoN, of Caroline delrered IL,
Committee of the WhOie, on The state Of the Relations
6ettceert the United States and South Carolina on
IueSdGy, The LIST Jdnudry.-[Concluded.l
ASK Mr. Chairman, who are the real authors of this
dlstracuon-what the cause OF it's II not the protect We
system universally odous in the South that has pro
duced Notification? All will admit this No Sir: I mus,
except the gentleman from Fauquier Mr. Chairman
we know ul well that there two of them and IA the
are on the side must in not 10 be misundr
stood as TO which aude, refer osome descrpfio persona
as we lawyers say. Then, Sir | saw the military
gentleman from Fauquieror he has contented that the
country may blame, thank don't remember which he
sa) but he certainly said the chief blame for the tariff
belonged TO South Carolina aud that she owed an apollo
KY to the North for the support her members of
gave to the Tariff of 1916 II went into review OF her
leading mems opinions and in days past for the pur
pose OF shyng The weakening of their claim 10 admission
into the Republican ranks in the agast Federal en-
croachment and support OF State Rights Yes Sir that is a
eNpeen resortcd TO in the North The tocsu has sound
ed to us from that quarter Has it not Sir Sir it is a fit
argument TO sustain such But leave il 10 the
gentleman TO explain how is, that he il such zealous
republican, and yet will not agree swell the number by
fresh converts. lie would be deemed singular preach
er OF the gospel who would denounce converts to his doc
trnes.
But it has been and often urged that we have not
time to consider political doctrines, look into the char
Ter oil our liberties and that would even be dangerous to
declare our principles, although they assaed Dan
gerous!-how dangerous Sin Why said both of the gen
emen from Rockbrdge who argued ingeniousy in sun
port OF the Proclamation, against the sovereign roh,
OF State pcaceaby secede when she deemed II essen
ual Tor the preservation OF her liberties What did thew
say Sr-tat truth even, should not always he revealed
]
IN the resolutions OF the committee, that the States of the
conederacy are such soveregns have the right of with
drawing from the Union, matter how much oppressed
W"ou suoJecung herself or her citizens TO the guilt
reason-and when such doctrine this is proclaimed
under the great seal of the Governments by the most no
PuIbr president since Gen. ahingon il
Virginia 10 assert those principles of 1889 which
have never, until now been shaken! No Sir never nm
III nov" and they are not shaken by the force argument
but by the magic OF Yes, Sir, il is the name of
Andrew Jackson, at the end of that sophscal Procams
on that shakes the good old principles Virginia 10 their
very centre Ii this is not time them every believer
in the correctness of the Resolutions of 9s proclaim his
devotion to hemto raise his voice in defence of the re-
served rights OF the States: then, can never imagine
uine u we wish TO save country and preserve the
essed Union Yes, Sir, is the time the accented
hme for the salvation of the liberty of our country IN
proclaim TO the President and the people of these Uni
ted States, that regard our Government in very diff
Ierent light from that which the Proclamation repre-
sents il. -
would ask, Mr. Chairman, what is the nature of our
government is 1T coniederated republic, exercising
6t All; %nT lrnCeu- pON, rnJ,t eahu6sfy ,oaIty aud
restricted or it great consolidated republic ruled by
majority oil Interests without any earthly check for pro-
tectng the interests OF minority? Yes Sir, miuo-
rty which in this extended empire stretching through
such diversity OF climate and consequently with such d.
versity OF interests that large portion of the States may
by dominant majority in other quarters of the Union
have its rights sacrificed and be the victim of the
deSposm exercised by interested majority, which
there could be no more control than the Poles have
the Emperor OF Russia their sovereign despo by right of
conquest Now, Sir il this be the government of my
try never knew ii before. do not believe my const-
tuens deem it TO be SUCH and if have been wrong in
relation to rights, had well find it out al once
and know the III, instead of Government cd
by the interposition of the States keep within the pale
OF its auhorltya government based in the afe tions of
the people, it be the unlimited despotsm Of a majority in
Congress, with the right of force by crush all op-
position to its assumptions OF undelcgacd authority by the
Staicsa government, that make halter the doom Of
those who attempt TO the of tyranny as the an
thor in the Proclamation asserts be- then did our noble
ancestors waste their treasure and pour their blood like
water for birhrght Of slavery Tor their poseHty Then
indeed, Sir, the patriots of 1888 in resisting the scdon
law traitors, and succeeded hV
from the administration the federal party For none will
deny but that the Alien and Sodiion laws were passed
by majority in Congress; and il this Proclamation had
sounded from the elder Adams throne against Virginia
does against South Carolina now, how do you think
Mr. Chairman, it would have been met in this Hall by
the Republican members, who carried through the
utions trumphanuy, which pronounced The A lien and
Sediton laws unconstitutional, and nuliied themoo as to
themselves es, SIR, do you think II would have met
with support from one single Republican member! Yet,
this Proclamaton--just such John Adams might with
The propriey have Illuminated against Virginia in
9S for daring to interpose-is supported by gentlemen
who claim to be OF the good old school, would be
willing TO re-assert the doctrines OF 9S.9 proper
time Now, Sir, when the cloud OF prejudice which en-
yeopes the present times shall have rolled away with its
busy actors the stage the calm impartial pen of the his
torian-some philosophic Gbbon OF Amerca--will give
to poserity key which will explain this gang inconss-
tenCy. shall not fear that my children will blush for
their fathers memory should his humble name appear as
one of the in this drama No SHRINKING princi-
pies my polar star of action regarding though proud
ly swelling in the ntOXicatou of power, wien dresl i'm
little brief authority, best a worm OF the dust like
yscii, sudil utschdIBe WIdt conceive 10 be duty
regardless of personal consequences The consequences
to my country and to those that dearer to me than
life itself, the considerations which impress Inc with
emotions too big for utlerance II has been repeatedly
claimed for Virginia, thain this eveuu crisis she should
take the ground Of medator and those very gentlemen
admit, that civil when il wi land Cod in hi.
infinite mercy, iofbd Orevcr!yes Sir, they all admit
that in that most disastrous Of all events dreadful
all that guilty incur from offended Heaven--tha
Virginia would inevitably he border county upon whose
fair field OF ralernal blood would he she'd an,
hal she would above all the States OF this Union suffer
most. Can she then be disinerested mediator thnl
have shown that he cannot The northern and middle
States, bent preserving the adv antagss they derive
from the protective system, at the eNpence of the who,
planting and agricultural South, arc not 80 simple a. Z,
agree TO that They hold to he, as we admit onrscve
to be- (uuess too hducnaed rs some great fncI
say they sometimes arc)-yes, Sir, they must hold {,
identified with South Carolina Then SIR, we cannot b,
regarded in the light OF mediator. We may be, an'
ought TO be in the light OF moderator II Is in that
light which saugine shall be regarded by bOlt
parties. rs moderator, can, viii the unq los
ionable prupfety, and without any lnpulaton OF pre-
sumption, step forward and cay South taroliua, n CO.,
language OF the resolution, and ~ most of The substitute
too, Sir that have been OF red, Owe adiue you orbea
your rash Ordnduce-suspend IL: who claim be re
garded a. common sufferer with you, and a jealous op
poser OF Federal ncroachuents Of yrdnnicd, unequal
and unjust laws, Will cooperate with you in peaceful
manner, 10 obtain relief but cannot recognize YOU
mode in this case nor your preciplancy ihcaton
not an appropriate deBcc Tor nierposion sg8us
revenue law Of Cougess although IL were 20 opptessiv
ne to grind you into he dust, by means OF rauulcn in
corporation Of unconstitutional pro econ one pC ton
industry located IN qaer az The expense Of anohc
in different quarter Of the Union which hold 10 hav
he btf -i,,