Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1833-03-05
Virginia legislature.

Speech or Mn. PARKER, delirered on JYednesGav
the 23d Of JGBuGTy 1888, the subject Of Federal
Relations, lI Committee Of The Whole, ia Hc Senate
Of PHginjG
Me-. Cnoirman:--l hope sir that the Committee will
favour me with their attention for short time, whilst
shall ondeavoT 10 present to their view in condensed
and succinct form possible, remarks relative
The truly interesting and mOmemtous subject under
cohsuer'n0n. PROMISE the COMMITTEES that viii not
deiaih hen Ike The Senator from Cabell, (Mr. VIM Me
COnas who has just preceded mel by soaring, on the
pniOns OF excited Imagination, into the celestial re-
gons Tor the purpose o describing those absolute atlr
butes OF sovereignty which reside in the Deity ply
s!oosical argument OF Iii, sort is all applicable but
entirely toreign to thc present subject Stale sovereignty
bears no analogy TO that OF the Great Creator OF the Uni
verscNor, SIR will weary their patience by entering
INTO an elaborate investigation Of the various resolutions
comprised in the Report OF the Committee Federal
Relations. IL is my intention argue the eNpeden-
cy or ineNpelicney, the consuutonay uncons,iiu-
uondliy Oi the protective system, examine infinitely
the errors OF the w-iangled doctrine OF Modification
Neither will consume the precious time the commit
tee, by abourcd examination of the principles which
IS concnded the doctrine OF Secession bottomed-
These several topics have been discussed here and else
where with great ZEAL and no uncomfortable abity-Niy
experience IN cgslatiOn would, therefore, admonh me
oil me improperly OF obIrudng my opinions " TIA eaten
So, npon the notice Of the members OF this body who
have recently witnessed unusually protracted discus.
sion OF these subjects, in the other branch OF Legislature
As 50 much time has been consumed in debate, | did in
tend to give silent vote each proposition when SUBJ
med but, notwithstanding this determination, my feel
lhgS Mr. Chairman, irresistibly impel raise my
voice IN opposition TO OF the dangerous doctrines
which have been advanced in this committeeman hicl
Yes, sir am constrained by of public duty,
avail myself Of this occasion, TO enter my solemn
protest against 'he"-hey justly merit the decided
Pro5dtOn 81 the people Of HTginid.
Is it really true sir. that within the short space Of some
ty-two years after the able vindicaton and ustrious
triumph OF Republican principles the General Assembly
oi Virginia again gravcly debating the question,
whether the Government Of the United States i. poiIi-
cal institution clothed with the tremendous powers OF
a consolidated Governments whether it j., in truth
a Government Invested with specific and limited pow
'rf Is me enquiry to be made at this day, in this
commonwealth whether our Republican Institutions,
NE state Governments, have any OF those sovereign
rights essential TO the preservation of the liberties of
their ci.izens? Can II be believed that they intend
ed TO deprive themselves OF their most invaluable RIGHTS
II Ice believed that they have thereby deprived them
selves Of all legitimate authority wbat:oever n
and arrest the progress OF Federal usurpaton?
The doctrines maintained by gentlemen if car
ed into practical operation, would inevitably annhate
the sovereignty OF the Stale because they establish the
principle that the Federal Government and ought to
conroni them in all AZ collision, growing out Of
even the INSTRUMENTATION OF that government II this
position be true, we shall learn, tor the first ine sing
lar and curious problem in political arithmetic; which is
that part OF sovereign power IL equal sovereignty
self-tat the several States by deuositn norton of
sovereignty into joint and stock for Joint and
common purpose and for definite period Of time have
thereby created government paramount TO their owna
government without limitation of powers. Mr. Chair
man believe that the justly celebrated Report of Mr.
Madison, made 10 the General Assembly in 1899 with
the resolutions OF l79S thcreuno appended is undena-
bly, the most able and luminous exposition of the powers
OF the General Government, that has vet been ei-
ven, that that report Is the true commentary on the Fed
raj Constitution that constitutes i'm itself an unoues
uonablc system Of political orthodoxy. 1t has heretofore
been considered the textbook of Vreinid DoItca1s
50 long, sir, as the doctrines Of 9S and 99 shall held
sacred IN Virginia, the people will permit the Fee
dera Government to exercise any other powers Than those
which have been expressly granted TO by the Consit
ion or such a may he essentially necessary carry
enumerated powers mo eNcculionW heneveTit shall at
tempt TO transcend those defined limits or TO break down
those sduiary barriers, which the trainers OF the
Constitution erected cOnlne its operations within lis
insant an usurper of those sovereign rights which the
States have reserved respectively for their iudiv dua
peace, safety and happiness.
1t would be an act Of supercrogaticn to detan the
committee, by reference the political history Of
our country to prove hat the thirteen British Anne
mean colonies prior TO the Revolution, separate
political associdons inherent of each other owing their
allegiance 10 the British alone; that after tiey in.
dgndnuy threw OIL the shackles OF British thrldo thew
still continued separate and independent of each other
that they retained that character the time of the aop.
ton of the articles OF confederation and also At the &
they ratified the Federal Constitution.
The position often assumed is certainly true that the
Federal compact the creature Of the people of the seve
raj States, as separate, distinct, independent political
communicating the States the hi h contracting parties
to the contract the sole judges OF the due aud proper
exercise OF the powers which they have delegated in all
cases affecting the existence OF their respective sovereign
ties ~ this power to judge of the nracon OF their re-
served rights, be not resident with them, desire TO know
where does reside Shall be told Sir that The i,
cld department OF the u. States is the final exposition of
such conflicting claims If such opinion should be
advanced, would enquire, Mr.. Chairman in the Ian
SldSe Oh c report ABOVE referred TO- the delegation
judicial power could not annul the authority delegatng IL
and might not the concurrence Of this department with the
others IN usurped powers subver forever and beyond
The possible reach OF any rgh remedy the very const
tuition which all were instituted to preserve Is it possi.
bie sir that the creature moral accountable being
can from the mere circumstance Of its creation ipso fac
to-, destroy the essential and vivng attributes of its
creator Can the agent transcend his power Of attorney,
without the assent Of his prncipi And if he should
cannot his pOwerbe revoked Sir the General Govern
men have no greater right 10 usurp power than we the
representatives. OF the people Of Virginia have the right 10
dt hbUH the views wishes and opinions of
lie constituent body, who have conferred upon us certain
legislative aHd political powers.
readily admit sir, thdt long the General Govern
men continues to revOlyc in its appropriate sphere the
States as parties 10 the compact morally and eonst
nuOhy bound to conform to its proceedings, and to exc
cute It's pWPoses-but whenever, by forced and latitude
nous construction OF IFS delegated powers il shall invade
the sacred, reserved rights OF the States they have an ina
hcnabc and indeieasble right resist its Laws less en-
'roachments. The President Of the United States i'm
his ever memorable Proclamation, does admit in ex.
press terms The ndeeasihe right Of resisting acts which
are plainly unconstitutional and too oppressive TO be en-
ued IT, then, The iudlieuablc right TO resist acts plan
" unconstitutional nud oppressive does actually evils,
how can any power beneath the sun with Justice and
nOTtety resist ats exercise, when Congress shall mass
in act oil That character; Whenever the National Ieois
dture shall pass acts P1lpaby unconstitutional the States
may resort TO various modes Of redress and in the last re-
SORT sccede from he Union, rather than 10 endure opprcs
SION. II, under such circumstances State hath rigbt
10 resist aud yet she is liable all the dreadful CONGO
liences OF war, should she resist would ask sir what il
hevdlue OF such right right pre- supposcs a rrncdv-
can there be any right without remedy-I presume NOT
'"' "h'', sf' sn"' state SIMPLY protest, when her
most sacred rights atackcL--When constitutions II,
berry Is about TO receive mortal wound-shaH STATE
protest only? Worse than useless is s protest ,bic
must forever prove vein and inefficient II has been s