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

Southern States under the Odous form tariff laws II
you admit the position, that State obtain no relief
from the abuse OF this Discretionary power but through
= change OF representation in Congress, do you not
clearly perceive under the practical operation of the
Prohibitory system, that minority OF the States may
DC bowed down, at i9tntfUI7 under the pressure OF
the most iniQuous aud inOlerabe eXaciious without
the possibility OF rcliei? Cannot a dominant and ire.
sponsbe party in Congress actuaed by ayarce and am
bon, the passions OF the human heart by an i'm.
proper exercise oil this Discretionary power blight the
prosperity Of the miuOynay, sir, sap the very founda-
ion OF their political existence? L. them sir our relief il
dependent alone ON the VIII OF an Interested aud ire
Sponble majority IN Congress- will no, be long before
We shall be compelled 20 cntrust rights and our pro-
perty to the holy keeping oil Northern and
Northern would be Casuists And when we shall submit
iamely TO such legislative action will have PLAYED the
foolish part of one who is willing "dgniun c0RRttere
ape To conidc his dearest interests iuo the kind and ten
der keeping Ut avaricous and pousble individuals
Sir, long the General Government will not exercise
any doubtful powers, (Which it certainly ought not to dol
entertain fears Tor the fate OF my country II there
should be dissolution of this prosperous and happy
Union, (Which may God III is mercy avert) will ven
predict that il will be attributable TO the unrh
pie OF the United States duly appreciate the great bes
sings Union They consider the union as the palladium
oil their liberties, the ark their political safety Their
Interests more or less identiedindced, they are in
im'tcy and closely iuterwoven-thcir mutual depend
ence shows the necessity of their political Mon
their mutual interest constitutes the strong bond of union
this Is the cSmcnt which uues together the various
pars;ths l., in fact, the conservative prncine in
our system OF governmenso long the interest State
Is properly regarded by the administration of the Federal
Government, the people will not contemplate for a mo.
ment, the horrors of that which isunon would pro
duce Such is their unaerdbe aversion to session of
me states that nothing could induce them dissolve this
Union but clear and unequivocdl conviction that the
government had stripped them of their essential rights
the blessings OF civil liberty.
The history OF nations hath taught us this Instructive
esSon that the people will submit long time h pa
ence TO the oppressive measures OF their rulers but that
here point oil endurance, beyond which, longer sub
mission ceases TO be virtue and the who would long
er submit, would justly deserve to wear through lie
the CALLING chains of the most ahect and gnoblc slave.
ry on know Mr.. Chairman, that il has been imnemo-
rally received as aphorism in political science that
power is liable TO abuschat if YOU confer il on one
more individuals, TO be exercised at their discretion
ree nom all restraint they will certainly abuse
1t. This great and fundamental truth is based upon
the passion OF man. lie is a self,h being fond OF
pre-eminence, and loves "to bear the palm alone"
IS therefore exceedingly uuwise ogran any government
any portion OF political power without the berry OF re-
voking H. whenever msapped and abused. Our states
men and political sages thought once, and do hope
that the people OF Virginia fully impre ed with the
orco OF this all important truth. 1t was under the iuilu-
ence OF this idea that the people OF Virginia assembled
through 'heir delegates IN couven ion, to ray he Fede.
raj constitution declared that the powers granted under
the Constitution being derived from the people OF the
Oheh states may be resumed whatsoever the sh III
e perverted 10 ther lpJury or oppression Ii has been
heen cone ndcd that the right the granted pow
ers can be exercised only by the people OF the United
States in their aggregate character This notion if ,e
guilty o. the gross and papabe absurdy of insisting for
The right to do that which could possibly be stoned
" HO CouiU VouOt uat all the people oil the United
acung IN heir aggregate character, could revoke any
power which they granted? Why sir they could at any
ume amend the Constitution, or abolish il pleasure
hey ud establish nment OF the democratic arts
oralica or m0narchicu orm-ora government like that
'i England, compounded of the three estates Sir the
people OF the Virginia were then (anl hope they will
al" avs hey jealous OF their liberties hey feared thlt the
new government which they were about to establish
might like the government of the old world abuse the
powers conferred upon it. 1t was upon Ibis condition
alone MAT Virginia assened 10 the adoption OF the Fede
al Cons;l uion
But Mr. Chairman, whilst insist that case of great
oppression may exist which would Justify the resumnon
BY sovereign state OF all the powers which she had de-
egated 10 the Federal government, and thereupoa take
hat station which she originally occupied Free sove-
reign aud ndedendent naoPi yet she cannot with Justice
ana p'oPrey assume such an attitude for slight and
vial She cannot, consistently with her own wei
are assume this position unth accumulation OF govern
mental wrongs and usurPatols shall outweigh the evil OF
separation lis truly stated in the Declaration OF Amer-
Fan independence, that whenever any form gov eminent
destructive OF the ends of its institution il is the rie h
'i The people TO alter abolish it, and to las ilute new
government "Consc quently, Says very learned and
distinguished judged whenever the people of any State
d nuEIbr OF States, discovered The nadequacy of the
lrsl form OF Federal Government to promote preserve
their Independence, happiness and union, they only exc
cuied That natural right in rejecting it, and adopting
another, which all had unanimously assented to- and of
which, no force compact can deprive the people of
any State, whenever they the necessity, and pos
sess the power TO do IT, And since the seeding States
by establishing neto constitution and form OF federal 90
vernment among themselves without the consent of the
rest, have shewn that they consider the right TO do 50
whenever Ihe occasion may, In their opinion require it,
s uhqueSoaDe; we may inter that that right has been
diminished by any new compact which they may since
have entered into since could be solemn or
pic than the first, binding upon the contracting
parties IL, however, State should secede without pa-
pabe violation OF her rights, she would commit breach
oi national faith and exhibit manifest disregard all mo-
raj and political obligations II she should capricouslv
withdraw from the Union, the question would arise whe-
her 1t would be sound policy the part of the other
States TO coerce her into obedience the constitution
and Laws oil the General Government She would there
by manifest dangerous spirit of discomfort and hostility
10 the remaining States and her uXta- DO niUht
seriously Affect heirprospery and independence il would
be perhaps eNpedien necessary and proper subugate
er upon ue principle OF sei-preservaon which pa.
amouh 10 all law. But should long train of abuses and
lsurpaons clearly eyince the design of subvernp her
Overeigny, and she should, under such circumstances
eccde from the Union, she could not be injured or on
pressed by force, without violation of the fundamental
principles OF international aw so long as she boud con
nue to fulfil those engagements which might iusIlv bc
demanded oil her; separate and independent nation
hope, sur 1t VIII be expressly understood that am no
ipologist for South Cardinal sanction her head
strong and reckless meaSures-I cannot approve of her
larsh and precpitatc She certainly has NOT 70
sorted TO all the constitutional and proper moral means to
edress her grievances She has overlooked the
preparatory steps OF calling federal convention and in
Ease oil failure m this, OF obtaining convention of the
'ounern states She ought TO have exhausted every
cNpedlen then indeed it she had failed 10 OH
ain redress, all the blame would have been Justly broy
ipon the General Government. cannot a1opt the Idle,
hat ono Of the states Of this Union can have the right Ia
'noy the protection OF the government and parae equally
With the rest, of the fruits its benc cent eeislto AMI
It the time, have the right TO nufy those scIs
whose policy may be Objectionable to her This notion Is
rreconcllable with every moral Obligation and utterly
ubyerye OF the principles of justice. IL the doctrine OF
luhhcaloh be true then indeed has it been Justly said
that the constitution must be considered as
10 It's own defence, the supremacy of the laws il at an end
md the rights and liberties of the citizens ran no Ioro