Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1833-04-12
PGEETliiAH.
MIR. CALHOTJN5S NEW mr.


MIR. CALHOUN'S NEW UTOPIA
Mr. Calhoun is an ingenious man but he, omerimes
like spider, is caught in web of his own weaving
Hence il is that in carrying h reasonings TO their vi
innate consequences, we frequently find him unwariy
coming 10 Conclusions opposite to those he in
tended to esahh He is continually exhibiting the pa
radoX c man missing his way entirely when Inc reasons
Hght' and only arriving at the truth through labyrinth
OF erroneous deductions.
IL there political axiom obvious to the most or
binary understanding, and universally ac<now
in theory and practice than any other is the distinction
between monarchal and republican governments viz;
that the one Is government OF minority the other of
majority This distinction lays the ROOT il is the fInda
mental principle, which the. whole supersructre of
power is erected every free nation majority bo
laws amaorly enorces hem; and majority constitutes the
sovereignty bound by its acts and binding the mnori.
y TO obey those rules which il has established for its own
government All writers This subject agree in defiu.
ing the different kinds OF governmc Mt upon this pncipe
that the consent OF the people by the free eir
reason and will constitutes liberty: the domination of
minority OF the people, slavery
Unjust be obvious, however, that this never
be universal In the endless diversity OF human opinions
interests passions and capces there must ever he some
exceptions. There such things as universal i'm.
teress and opinions; will there ever be subject on
winch all mankind agree until there remains but one man
awe In the world. When there but five persons Oh
the lace OF the earth, brother slew the other on the
score OF religious differences and shall expect una
nlmlty IN politics among millions?
Yet this is the basis Of Mr.. Cahoun's new Utonian
system According to his argument in the speech vnd.
eating Notification, all free governments were originally
instituted Tor the protection and benefit the minority
lie maintained the right of minority 10 resist and multi
iy any and every law sanctioned by majority; he gives
the ucto to the smallest fraction of community: and his
principle, if fairly out confcs upon any individual
the power 10 arrest in the old Polish Diet the will of
the whole by his single According his doctrine
there must be universal assent, constitute claim TO
obedience; andlso long there is dissenting voice
the law ceases 10 be obligatory. Thus, his argument il
VIII be perceived, brings Us directly back the FIRST prin
cpie oil naked despom The prcrOgaive ofthe minority
TO prevent the passage of laws by Veto arrest their
operation, by notification, unqueslionably places the
whole power of the government the hands OF the few
is in he
OF the majority, bounded only by restraints 10 which
II has submitted in the original social compact II few
can do this, then single do it, and thus is the
whole power OF the State made dependent the will of
alone.
The inevitable and final result of such state of things
is despotsm OF single individual government at
ell since it is evident that he possesses the power TO
arrest the operation OF the laws, virtually be the sove
reign II Is peroghiive equivalent to making the laws
because in this negative is equal to an affirmative
power, as the majority either go without laws or
submit such the sovereign chooses 10 sanction
Here, then have the old doctrine of despotism of the
few, or OF alone revived under the mask OF nuca
ton, and sanctioned by the authority of the champion of
the liberties OF the peOple He would deprive the majority
OF every vesge OF Pewer he would take from the many
TO give 10 the tewin short, he would do exactly what Il
done IN mohachies. where the great the people
are SUBJECT TO the will OF privileged order which, under
preence OF protecting its rights has moDopolized the
rights OF the whole he Utopian syste, Of MIR Calhoun
has therefore the merit Of noveIiv-it bring s
round the circle back 10 where started FROM and nu
lines every principle which Revolution was found
ed IL is nothing more than the old sorry of Govern
"
south Carolina is he King, with The power indeed
making laws for the sister States but Of reducing them
to the alternative of taking what she chooses he only
privilege lett 10 the majority is "FopsOn's choice this
none"-eiher such laws please, or no laws al ALL
1hu', the sovereignty instead of residing in the whole
people, will be in South Carolina alone.
But is something to be consistent even error ac
quireS degree OF respecablty by uniform course Of
wrong II indicates sincerity atcas and though wa may
pity, we do not despise The apostle disciple of deuson
when, however. wc principles laid down. argunenc
adduced in their support and systems upon abroad
which are not only denied but reversed home we can
not resist the conviction that sell interest aud hypocrisy
and not delusOn, at the root Of such bare con
tradicons How has Mr. Calhoun applied his Utopian
system at home the ailirs OF his own Saie2 Has he
conceded 10 The minority Of South Carolina the right of
directing and controlling the majoy-or has he conceded
to them any rights whatever? No-like many other very
abe and honest gentlemen, he plays the champion Of
Liberty abroad, Tie yran at home, and his zeal in behalf
OF the minority Of the States, only be equalled by
bis oppression olthe minority Of his own State
They, lorsoolh, have rights whatever Utopia is
one thing here, another Thing there. II is fish n the
General and flesh n the Sae Government and o,y some
where else. II is like Polonius' cloud a =, hale ar an
ouselan inexplicahe nothing, Of which any thing can
be made-a mystihcaGOn--an absurdity-a downright
contradiction ldlitudindran abroad tyrant al home
refusing oaths IT, place, exacrng them in another
and exhibiting Labyrinth Of consstences-whch takes
away all sympathy for error and makes wickednes
ridiculous Let any one compare be rights asserted
The minority generally IN the Ordinance OF Nulhfcaon
with those permitted by that instrument TO the particular
minority Of South Carolina and then ask himself there
ever were exhibited more gitng and bare faced co,tr,
dlctions. On ths hand, il demands every hing Oh
the ohert comedies nothing; it dislrsnchses its own mi
noriiy, while claiming little less Than the supreme dom.
Mon Tor minority Of the States.
Having pluckcd the mask from THE mOnsirous attempt
70 revive, undera name, the form and substance Of
ancient despoiis7, will take occasion 70 give own
brief notions the rights Ji ninonics in free govern.
ment That They have rights Is mos, certain; but tie
tight Of imposing ucir will upon, or Of sacrificing
the interests and wishes Of he msodty Is certainly
Of them That right u4nrped by Kings and their
privileged supporters nd never be conceded in free
country which recognizes az The first principle Of is Go.