Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1833-02-28

Sonsu'uuohai oOJect, effected by constitutional means.
oppressive, however, as this system was admitted by all
to be, and repugnant as it uuquestionably was TO the spi-
ri oil the Constitution, had we not abundon, reasons Tor
oeheVl"g That 1t would speedily be abandoned by Con-
gress. The public debt was now virtually extin-
guished, and the condition of our country such as
had never before existed since the formation of tho
government. When this infant conlederacv came forth
triumphant from the war of the Revolution, ii was heavily
oppressed by financial ewbarrassments, and from that
peflou up 10 the present, there had been a continued ne
cess''y Tor heavy taxation; not simply 10 defray the cur
rent expenses OF the government, hut to pay those debts
winch might Justly be considered the price OF our indie
pendence. Whilst a large amount of revenue was want
ed, what was more reasonable, what more polite. than
hat some incidental aid should be given to a branch Of in
uusUy Just struggling Tor existence, and claiming to be
stimulated by patriotic motives! But what AN altered
spectacle was now exhibited. Notwithstanding the fresI,
accumulation OF debt from our late glorious war with Great
Britain, we had a nourisling commerce., an Overlooking
treasury, and owed not a cent in the world. The present
Chief Magistrate of the United States, by a line OF policy.
which for its justice and wisdom, and the consistency with
which 1t had been pursued, had never been exceeded in
our past history, was bringing back the Federal Govern
meh', II It's praclcal operation 10 its appropriate limits
lie had arrested the unconstitutional expenditure of the
pubic money upon works of internal improvement. aud
thereby gwen the death-blow to an extensive system Of
fraud aud extravaganza. He had faithfully applied the
public resources TO the discharge OF the national debt, and
thus closed forever, a heavy aud incessant drain on the
treasury. lie had evinced a determination 10 reduce tue
expenses oil the government TO the Lowest point of econo-
my, consistent with its efficiency and respeciabihty; and
after iessening to the utmost practicable extent the demand
Tor revenue, he had avaled himself OF the occasion 10 Yin,
dictate the constitution, by putting an end TO the U. States
Bank, which owed its existence to the pecuniary eubar.
rassmcnts of the government, and could no longer be de.
Tended as a necessary facility for the management of
ue hscai concerns OF The nation, simple and limited
as those concerns must for the future be-. Under sucI,
circumstances, what preteNt was left for keeping up
a high rate OF duties? Let us not, lie said, be In
haste TO break up the Union for the fear of unjust and
onerous taxation. The days OF the Tariff and the
American System were already numbered. The people
would pay all that might be necessary for the support
oil the Government, but no people ever yet voluntarily
submitted TO pay more; and il should not be forgotten. that
we had given a memorable proof of our Impotence un-
der unjust taxation, in the struggle which separated us
from the Crown OF England. The resislless mandate of
public opinion, which would soon be audible throuehout
the Union, would settle the doom of this iniauitous Sys-
TEN, and it was oar duty, as patriots and pbilantbropists
patiently TO await this peaceful aud salutary consumma-
ton. With such prospects before us. he again asked
whether Virginia was ready 10 pledge herself 10 follow
the fortunes OF s. Carolina, rash and impatient as she had
proved herself to be: Take but the first step with her,
and retreat was impossible. 1t might be, that our fair
and reasonable expectations Of relief from Congress would
be disappointcd-that a short.sighted and relentless ma
Jorny, would refuse for a time, and perhaps for wears. 10
rehnquish their customary exactions from the fruits OF our
industry. In that event, the countenance and support
which we might promise TO $. Carolina 10 day, would, in
the end, be required at our hands, and national faith and
honor would leave us no alternative, but 10 walk withh her.
II she willed it, through " the valley and shadow" of dis
union. He wished TO impose no restraint on the indepen-
dent action of Virginia hereafter. If our hopes OF relief from
Congress should fail, il would be time enough to decide
In advance.-But he would not now, either expressly or
by such Implication as might grow out Of the vague pro-
position OF the gentleman from Fauquier-and as must
grow out oil II before IL could have any eIect-giye as
snrances TO South Carolina Of support in any measures
not strictly warranted by the Constitution.
AS he was not, he said, in favor Of throwing Virginia
mo me arms oil South Carolina, and the candid and imi-
PaInai expression oil opinions, which he recommend
ed, might not have the effect of inducing that State TO
abandon her measures, he had reflected with much ankle
" upon the probabilities OF an interruption OF the peace
ana quiet oil the country, provided the Ordinance and laws
oil Modification should be permitted TO take effect and had
brought himself TO the conclusion, that there was but little
un"ger OF any speedy resort 10 force on either hand. The
advocates OF Modification had always contended strenous-
~ hat II was a paclhc remedy; and while il was impossi-
oe 10 view $ such, IN Its ultimate tendency aud conse-
quenccs, he trusted its very first operation would not fall
silly the promises OF its authors.-Hc would for a moment
auchpt 10 trace the action Of this most subtle and Ipysta-
rious device. III an importation OF goods were made to
the port OF Charleston, and a bond given for the dufies
suit must be brought by the government. and a g n mater
oil course, the jury would find Tor the defendant being
sworn TO give effect TO the Ordinance and act of NuIhfca.
lon. No appeal could be taken, because it is made the
duty oil tho Court below, to deny a copy of The record of
The proceedings. Ii, however, a judgment should bo OBJ
tanned 10y the government, no obstruction was to be offered
10 me Marshal IN Ievying an execution, and he might pro-
coed TO make sale oil the goods; but the law Of the State.
provided that 10 title should be acquired BIZ purchase mn.
der such sale, and the property might even he recovered
again by the owner, go that oil course, there would be no
purchaser. Ii was manifest here, that there wa n "a
cessiiy for the use of force on the part Of the State. and No
preteXt for il, on the part of the United STATES which -
surediy had no authority 10 compel a verdict from a Jury,
or a copy OF the record from the Court, at the point Of tho
blyonet. ~ The goals imported were such as 10 credit il
allowed upon, by existing laws, the revenue officer would
delain tue requisite portion OF them, until the duties uolo
paid. In this case, the importer was authorized TO sue out a
wntot replevin, by virtue Of which the Sheriff would seize
the goods, and deliver them to him, pending the decision of
the action Of replevin, which would of course result in bis
iaYOuFj or, II the identical goods were rot fortlconinp
by a fresh process, called a copi0S ia 1ciIheTnGm, rep1.
sails TO double the amount were TO be made out of the nro.
per goods and chattels of the collector. Here again N
was evident that the United States could find m oSca,;oo
TO exert force, unless indeed il were determined contrary
10 law and authority, to resist the process of the judicial
tribunals OF the State. He was far from inti,natin.
That there was no remedy for this fragrant evasion 81
The revenue laws. IL might and no doubt would become
necessary, II the Ordinance were carried into effect. for
Congress or the co-Statcs to adopt measures of a coerciye
character for giving effect TO the laws, by closing The ports
OF the State, or by some other e%xpodient, which il was pre-
mature to discuss. But what he wished to impress on te
minds oil gentlemen, was, that the President could not lie.
galy, and would not resort TO any such extraordinary
means Of compulsion, unless the Executive arm was
strengthened by further legislation. In his recent Pro-
clamalion tie had said very properly, and had said no more
Than that lac would employ force TO rcpel a forcible OBJ.
strucion OF the laws; but II, as was manifestly the case,
the laws Of South Carolina did not authorize a Iorcihle re-
sistance to tie laws Of the United States, a collision could
not occur, unless tlc one party or The other should trans
ceDd IFS powers. II that state should, through "A CoDyen-
ton Of her people-the organ Of her overeigDty-ordsi a
fofcibie resistance OF the revenue laws, il would be a mat
ter for the solemn deiberaion of the Co States in Conoress
assembled, TO decide what measures should be taken Tor
maintaining the supremacy Of the Federal Government
and II could scarcely be questioned that in that event, The
State must either be regarded as without the pale Of the
Union, ana accountable for her conduct as a sovereign
power, according to The terms Of The compact, or IL sub
lJect still TO the Federal Constitution, must be com.
PEELED 10 yield obedience 10 the laws. But he did
not uiiDk such power Of coercion was conferred on the
President by the existing laws, and he did not under.
rUy TO employ The military force Of the country. in dis.
psrsing insurgents and suppressing combinations Of indi.
viduals opposing the execution OF the laws: but the ex-
traOrdtnary case OF resistance BY n State, through its con.