Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1833-02-07
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, ,
January 25th, 1888. {

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT
January o5th, 1893.
To the Senate and House ~ Deisyai,s.
have received from the Governor of the
commonwealth of South Carolina, Resolu-
tons adopted by the General Assembly of that
State, with request To lay them before You:
they arc accordingly herewith communicate
The resolutions refer To the call of Gene
raj Convention Of the States of this ConfeJc-
racy, TO take into its consideration the subject
oil the disputed powers Of the Federal Co
vcrnment, andto adjust them 10 n manner that
may in future preclude doubt, and prevent
that Government from the exercise of powers
which some OF the States of this Coniedera-
ey believe TO be unwarranted by the Constitu-
tion which created il.
The lowering aspect Of our public affairs
at this moment, caused by the usurpations of
the federal government, which now excrc ises
powers never Intended 10 be granted TO Il.
and by arbitrary means attempts 10 deprive
sovereign states Of any remedy for wrongs.
injuries and expressions, induces q conviction
that no means could be better devised FOR al
laying the general discontents Of the people.
and Of calming the rising Indignation or a
brave and generous public, which has been
ever wafchfui and jealous Of its liberty, than
oy again bringing together, in general con-
fentson, the original parties to the compact
or constitution, thereby ahording a CT and
proper opportunity for the co-stalcs to deter
mine what power IL is their sovereign will To
permit their agents TO exercise, and of mark
ing out so distinctly, the limits of the Federal
GoFernment, that none hereafter NAV have
the tenerity to pass the boundary prescribed.
We are called upon by our sister state, who
has suffered much from the exercise Of un-
constitutional power by that government. TO
pnitc In accomplishing this great object.
general convention would be so fully A.
bic, and so well calculated 20 restore harmo-
ny to our confederaey, by adjusting and final
~ setting all the doubtful or disputed powers.
that NO effort should be lett untried To advance
so desirable q result, and thus TO regain the
happy confidence which all heretofore re-
posed In the Permancncy Of our Institutions.
The times are periloUs, the question mo-
mentous, and looks far into the future, and
on the wisdom Of your decision, so Ear as we
are concerned, may probably depend the
peace, the liberty, and the happiness Of our
country.
We have long regarded as the citadel Of
our liberty the sovereignty Of these states,
which could be iBterposed To save a suffering
and oppressed people from the unjust exac-
tons of an unconstitutional net, which can
not be law and the right Of each state, as a
sovereign party 10 the compact, having no
superior, 20 Judge for itself Of the infrae-
tons Of the constitution, a. we'll as the mode
and measure Of redress.
But II the power lately seized upon by the
federal government, and promulgated as
rishuuily belonging u IL, be permitted, sane
toned OF sustained by the states Of this con-
iederacy, this commonwealth, upOn which
depends our freedom aud our existence az an
independent state, will be- entoE bed IN the
cemetery Of republics and the will Of an
irresponsible majority, 90 the fat Of the Pre-
sidsnt becomes the charter Of our liberty
thus substituted for the constitution. These
states then become the Vassals Of dcspotie
power, with no rights left them bot the right
10 complain, right which de,potism cannot
take from the Vilest malefactor chained 10
the floor Of the dungeon.
Many OF the states OF this eOefsdsraey. one
by one, declared their Independence Of Great
Britain, because they w0uld no longer submit
% The illegai and Unconstitutional exactions Of
that country, and made eommOu cause against
her as common enemy.
Willing 10 justify themselves IN the world.
their delegates ia Congress were after,sard.
instructed a. delegates Of the several rover,
then associated foe common defence, 10 sane
tioa q Declaration Of Independence By that
HAa 49, ~ ~ WV tRiA W Ntftitt Nfis
mitiins 81 too little doabt,i iclded ap the sove-
Feigu.y % uhese saes. which nOw eOmpOse
q q single nat s.n
This doetrioe. and this claim 20 power h en-
oatrass upon our Institutions, and The bitter
est satire upon The revolution that the very
Declaration II Independence Itself, which
blazoned forth oar liberty fall 10 the gazo Il
40 admiring World, a. our f1thers beloved,
should nov b. produced, p The bond which
binds their children a. slafes 10 q majority Ia
Congress, and 70 e PreAitenl elected - a