Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1833-01-29
Virginia Legislature.
FEDERAL NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.


1etceen the United States and South Caroline on
FRIDAY, the An Overwhelmingly
The following remarks of Mr. D. I'm our
last but was inadvertently omitted -
And shews that the States still possess the right OF x
aiming and deciding for themselves whether the powers
they deleg egimatey exercised that they
gave up this right, and intended that their func-
tonares were TO be superior to themselves. resolution
was actually reported by committee OF the Convention
giving TO the Federal Government unqualified
the laws of the States The affirmative rejection OF this
proposition places the sovereignty OF the States in
not coded, on higher ground, than any negative mpca
lion could have done, had the proposition been for
mally made. Gentlemen who desire examine the pro.
ceedings here referred to- referred the 4h vol of
Elliou's Debates.
Mr. BRoDNAx in continuation.
The next day. when the House again went Into Conn
muee of the Whole, he proceeded =
Mr. CharmanI shall never cease 10 entertain n crate
iul recollection OF the kind Indulgence of the Committee
last evening-not only for its patient
marks submitted but for its rising somewhat earlier than
usual IN considerations have doubt, OF my obvious
disposition and fatigue. Perhaps prudence should have
adnonished me- aborng az do under a severe cold and
continued lever not to have made the effort ALL But
sir such Is my belief of the Importance of the occasion
and OF the consequences which likely result from
the may now adopt hat if knew il was The
last time that my voice to be heard within these
walls, would proclaim that liberties dauger-
ana however little OF physical strength might possess,
would exert all to implofe my in this service
TO adopt that course from which alone anticipate
safety.
sir, examining the Objectionable PRINCIPLES assert
ed in the Presidents Proclamation 1t is unpleasant
duty to one who has steadily supported that officer and
who still feels grateful to him for services rem
dered to his country, in his civil well in his military
Character Virginia in particular large debt of pra-
iude to Cen jackson He had, up moment of this
Proclamation, done TO establish the PRINCIPLES for
which contend than any other President Who vouId
have taken the stand which he has done on the subject d
Internal Improvement !-Ihe Tariff Who would have
had the irmnes' TO put down by his Veto hat mammoth
Nslituion-the United States Bank | hope shall ne
yer forget these services because of his present (teDo
rdTy trust 1t will prove0 alteration from the republican
principles which it had seemed the previous purpose oil
his life to proclaim and establish | not one of those
who are for unqualified condemnation, total abandon
nen OF an old friend or faithful servant for single error
In private life IL would be irrational, and in public life
equally precpitae and mprudent Perhaps SIR the bed
OF Procrses may be in preparation for me ne ve m
Tor the gentleman from Hanover; but do choose the
idea TO abroad uncontradicted that all who dsapprove
the principles Of this Proclamation have thrown them
selves into the opposition his administration For one
SIR, am not prepared for such do not be-
heve these obnoxious and dangerous principles are Jack
sons principles If they are radical revolution has Ia
Ken place IN his opinions, and when be assured of
that, aud that he in future act on these then
Tor one will abandon him. He has already by sending
Iorh this paper produced greater Teacon and done
more to put down the rights of the states than any man
ever accomplished before. will wait and see whether
his decara ion be conSiste mt with the las, or it J
preceding It, Ii indeed deeply 10 be regretted that this
second jefferson, as he has often been called whose
election regarded second triumph
which 10 seal and perpetuate the consequences of
that in lSOland TO bring back the government 10 use
his own words, "te simple machine''-shoud now in
an evil hour 10y this Proclamation dcmolsh those very
principles which the first Jefferson ncucaed--he very
principles he was expected TO eslabh-and which often
before IN other communca ATOMS lie himself had asserted
truly may we say that we are wounded in the house OF
our friends" But principles more important than
TRENDS and, however unpleasant, will proceed in the
examination OF those referred TO.
Mr.. Chairman the sovereignty of the individual States
and the consequent right OF peaceabIe secession has
yer, TO the best Of my belief been denied unil recent
y The Supreme Court OF the United States, in a case
sometime SINCE which attracted great public interest,
in obtUr dictUm, aud as an illustration of anoth-
or conclusion which it aboriug, remarked cur
rente HRquO, that State had the right TO Withdraw
mint
we'd in the -cause-not consiicred-not decided-and
would not be authority in that tribunal But our OPP
ponenls Object that this right has heretofore been
asserted olr' we w see presently. II seems to
that our anccctOs OF the revolution of both the great
parties which then divided the country not only during
the old confederation but while the constitution was
under discussion-and after its adOpU0nproceeded in
all their State papers on the supposiion that This right
existed and was understood. We find is true no regu
lar discussion itbut while many aludc incidentally
to its existence none deny it, Sir, Hamilton and Martin
aud most of the leading Eedeydhsts epen If fornner
days, admitted it, And MIR. Webster the prince of mod
ern federalism, understand implicitly to have admitted
It, in the celebrated debate in the Senate of the United
States. Foote's resolutions do rely on the opinions
these distinguished gentlemen, to sustain any political
proposition for which contend they belonged 10 dif.
ierent school OF politics. But cite them show lat
eue" me JedeTdsts those who 20 iarhest in upbOdng
the powers of the General Government, and humbpg
those of the States that they have conceded what
those who call themselves republicans and States j.i
Mons certainly entitled TO much consideration But
in recurring to authorities, will commence with that
brated resolutions and report of Virginia in 9S and gg
drawn by Mr. Madison, and containing The old rcpuJH-
can doctrine, which overthrow the Alien and Sediiion
laws, contain, among others, these two resolutions:
"ReSoDed, That this Assembly doth explicitly and per
empory declare that il views the of the Federal
Government resulting from the compact 10 which the
States are parties as limited by the plain sense and ep
lion OF the instrument constituting that compact as no fur
Their valid than they authorized by the grants enufrG
fedn That coDpdci; and that, in Deliberate palma
bic and dangerous exercise OF ohor powers not granted
by the said compact, STATES who are parties there
to hare The right and in duty bound 10 ierpose for
arresing the progress Of tie evil and for rn,btaping
1cfhin their respective limits, the authorities rights AID
liberties appertaning them
"Resored, That the General Assc mbIy dot, also ex
press IFS deep regret that spirit has in sunrv instances
been manifested, by the Federal Government in etrc
s powers, By forced constructions If The Constitutional
Charter Chioh defnes Them and that atoms have
pcared OF design 10 eXpound certain general phrases
(Which having been copied from Tire very nted grant Of
powers Ia the former ADiclcs OF Confederation were the
less liable 70 be msconstrred) destroy the mean
ing and effect OF thc particular enumeration which neces-
say explains and mts the general phrases and as 10
consolidate the states, 10y degrees into sovceieny
the obvious tendency and inevitable result Of which would
he TO transform the present Republican System Of the 4
States into an absolute, at best mixed Monarchy"
The right here asserted Of State incrposidon contains
yond doubt, permit 10 read the commentary ON those
particular resolutions written by NJ Madison and adopt
ed the preceding winter 10y The Legislature:
eft appears your committee 10 be plain prncip,.
founded ia sense illustrated by common practice
and essential 20 the nature Of compacts that where re-
sort can be had 10 tribunal superior TO the authorize of
The parties, the parties themselves he tiolt