Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-02-13
CONGRESS.

Conclusion Of the Speech Of Mr.. DALLAS, in
the Senate, on the REVENUE COLLEC.
TON BILL.
Mr. DALLAS hoped that he had not altogeth.
er failed in shelving the nature of our political
ganiza,ion. The People, in distinct aggregates
Of States, had made it, The same People can
destroy il. Hut how can they destroy its BY one
of two WAYS only: by the process Of constitu-
tional amendment or chang, as prescribed: or
by the process If revolution. Both ways are So
,ereign rights: the first reserved and directed in
the Constitution irself-the second, inherent and
unalienable by nature. But can no alteration of
the Constitution be, consistently with its prnvi
sions. effected except 10 the manner it expressly
ordainss Ii II can, any manner is as effective
as the one agreed upon; aud our sages very alb
surtliy burthened the instrument. Sir, (said
Mr.. ID shall a single State, her sove-
reignty by the force Ofa majority of her citizens,
do that which is unequivocaly prohibited to less
than three fourths of the States? Such an exer.
tion OF sovereignty is incompatible with the es.
sence, the moral essence, Of the consiltu tional
compact. II denies and renounces the obga-
tons Of justice and good faith. 1t is claim to
cancel and ride over the most sacred engage.
ments, entered into with the highest and most i'm.
posing solemnities Of sovereign action. II in.
wolves pretension to do wrong without response
biiity. have admitted the PHYSICAL power, the
competency Of force and numbers, but deny,
wholly and unquali6edly deny, the moral right.
X struck him continued Mr. D. as practi.
calIy inconsruous and preposterous, to reserve
right to resume at pleasure what is ageed to be
surrendered and has been finally surrendered.
But am asked VINO shall be the Judge whether
the surrender has really been agreed upon or &C.
tually made? in other words, whether the exer.
else Of a power by law be constitutional, or not?
j do not say the Supreme Court; nor do say
the entise government Of the United States: al.
though l am inclined to believe that they who in
sist upon either or both OF them have the war
rant OF the Constitution for their positions -
There Is another tribunal in the way Of nullihca-
tion or secession: and answer tha, the ONLY
Judge IN the last resort whether the Constitution
shall be at an end or not, whether the Govern
ment shall be arrested in its operations or not is
the very sovereignty BY which il was created and
from which II received its first impulse-that So
vereignty Is "the People of the United States. -
No earthly power can, Of right, impede the course
OF their government. except those whom they
have, from the starting place, commissioned to do
50, or themselves.
II they have commissioned, as am disposed
to think, Judiciary, constituted by themselves
upon principles and after forms prescribed by
themselves, TO revise and determine, well:-
1t they have con6ded in the whole govern.
men', PerPe'ually renovated and supervised ~
themselves this discretion, we'll again: bur If
us'ae' .. nese tribunals be vested with tbis
srea' attribute, then say, it is with tbemse,va.
no' certainly oeen given to no other .e.n.. -,
being HE right to judge finally. then :. Ut
the same sovereignty whence the Cor.s;.,.;"u
emanatsd. 1t belonged to no isolated a
ed portion oft plant myself also uno r'A 80.