Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1833-03-15
THE ENFORCING BILL.

IL ~ lk0lAN l.
The following article is from the Washington
Globe:
w regret 10 see that the Editor of the Richmond En-
quirer, willie he admits that the Collectjon BII ,sbos beso
most t0retehediy cGricGfured," still considers il screen.
tonGbte.' 1t is nothing but the remedy of Mr.. JeGer
son, modified and moderated, applied to an infinitely more
malignant and threatening maIsdy. 1t is true that il was
opposed in a silent vote by a few-a very few of those
who have hitherto given the administration a firm support
but we can assure our friend of the Enquirer, that strong
lcaDings TO notification, or weak fears of lis poger in the
South, operated on most Of those who voted ae ainst the
Bill. The attempt was to give a triumph to the Nuli6-
ers-Io submit the Tariff TO the mercy of the ~uulifvino
Convention for its sancdon-to sacrifice the great conserys a.
tive principle OF the Constitution, the right Of the Govern.
Inent OF the Union TO preserve itself, to the spurious doc.
trines propagated by an ambitious dcInagogue and his
pnrtzans under the abused name Of State Rights. We
know that the Editor of the Enquirer has not taken
this view oil the course OF the enemies Of the Bill, who
are Tor the most part, enemies ofthe Administration; and
we have already said that some who voted for The Bill
voted under a false view OF the demands Of their con.
sutuents, and OF the principles involved. But. with a
lew exceptions, The question upon that Bill Discriminate
the friends OF the Union from liz enemies."
We equally regret to see our friend of the Globe
Justiiying the passage of such u bill, under such cir
cumstances.
1t was not necessary, at the time. because the
passage of the Tariff bill had superseded any such
necessity. 1t was, in our opinion, sufficiently OBJ.
vlous, that as the TarifFbill would pass With the vote
OF the Nullfers from S. Carolina, she would have
been content with il, her Ordinance would have
been suspended, and every thing brought back tc
the status quo ante beIun. Indeed, we had under
stood from UNREASONABLE authority, that though
the Tariff bill did not pass, yet if Wilkinss bill failed
the Nullhcrs-of >. G. would in that eUent alone sns
pend their Ordinance.
But, even in case they had not, yet we should
have preferred, on every consideration, to see heI
march oil, IN her reckless course, and commit M
overt act, against the laws of the o.. States, than hole
over her head the threat Of force.
We beg the Editor Of the Globe to turn to Mr.
Benton's Report in the case Of Georgia, and he will
find the true principles on this subject. Where ON,
Of the States takes upon herself, in her highest sove
reign capacity, Ia Convention Of her people0 n
threaten resistance to the laws Of the Union, it isbet
Ter never to think of force, against her, but in the We
~ last extremity. IL is the ultima ratio of Kings
and with much greater renson, ought it 10 he In III,
cause OF a confederated Republic, Bound as TIT
states are by common affections and common inter
osts, ineir very sernples, where no foreign enemy i
upon ~, are entitled, if not to rsspect. otIeas, 10 for
bearance, who indeed can expect to keep toqethe
an Union Ike this, by stern and unqualified force
u Is for uiese reasons, We do not think the proeedep