Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-01-25

Carolina, for adherlng to THEFT aiiesidhce " VIZ
State, how much stronger must be the ooJecl,o',
To its passage, when we advert to the TACT, that
il is not case of resumption oil power deiesat'
ed to the Government, bat the defence OF re-
served powers against unconstitutional ehcroach'
ment So far from conccdng the constitutions
lily of the tariff or the powers claimed tor the
Supreme Court, not only the State Of South ga
rolina, but all the southern States, beiere IT to
be not only unconstitutional, but highly oppres-
sive; and that the Supreme Court, so lar from
being the tribunal appointed to decide political
controversies, IS limited by the constitution Itself
to cases arising in law and equity.and, of course,
where the parties are amenable to It's process.
Mr. C. SAID, that he could not bu, perceive in
the bill itself evidence that there was, on the
part of its authors, an internal feeling OF the
force of these arguments; they have nnt made
il directly applicable TO the case OF Sauth Care
lima, nor to the case OF State. opposing, OH her
own sovereign authority, what she believes I" Dr.
an unconstitutional act OF the Federal Govern
ment Ii there be guilt, South Carolina alone
is guilty. Why Thea make the provisions Ut the
bill applicable TO all the Staies7 Why make II
the general and permanent law OF the land!-
The other States have not been even the aort'
tors in the mighty struggle OF South Carolina
to maintain the Constitution and the liber-
ties of the country! She has been dscounte-
nanced even by her sister States, immediately
interested in the issue! Why then commit the
injustice of including them in its penal enact.
ments. Why disguise the real intention, that It
is to coerte sovereign State exercising her con-
stitutonal right of judging in the last resort. OF
her reserved rights, with view OF protecting
her citizens against tie Entertainments oi the
Federal Government? Why not meet this
mighty issue boldly and manluIl,! Why con.
found the movements Of State with riots. mobs
and insurrcctlonsl Bat one reason can be as
signed A conscious instinct n the pa pablo
injustice and absurdi,y of such bill.
Mr. c. said that viewing the bill on its prn.
cipes. he conceived il a virtual repeal OF the
Cons ituion, as much so as If 1t was expressly
drawn on its face with 'be it enacted by the
authority of tine Senate and House Of Repre-
sentatves, that the Constitution be, and the
same is, hereby repealed.' Should it pass. It
will effrctualIy and forever put down our beauti
ful federal system. and rear on its ruins con-
s0lldatcd government. The sovereignty OF the
States would be forever suJmersed-that So
vercigntv which constituted ours federal sys
TEN. and the loss Of which would make it \ con-
solidaton.
The issue is now before Us; the decision can
not De Wuch longer ue'aSed; lhe fPJectlOn UT tue
passage of this bill will PROBABLY decide it fore
yer. Let no one suppose that. in deciding this
great question, DOR system will stop at mere con-
solation: It i, but stage m the certain progress
to military despo'Ism: and that the most odious
ard oppressive, as III proportion to the independ-
ent, tree spirit Of :hc people, must be the s'er-
ness Of tie despo!sm necessary to held them IN
subiec'Inn. But two mod Of politIcal exs teBce
can iorg endure IN our country: the one that
formed. by the trainers Of our admirable constitu-
ton. "a federal system. uniting free and indepen.
dent States in bond If anton for mutual advan-
tagrs. and to be preserved by the cOncurlng as
sent OF the parts--ur Government OF the sword.
The choice ~ before US.
NJ. c. said that he had drawn the resolutions
which he Was about to propose. for the purpose
OF bringing IN" principles Of this bill distinctly
before the Senate; and tina, he had accompanied
them with the few remarks which he bad made,
Win view of calling the solemn attention OF It's
members to the mighty consequences which he
con.cientousiy believed 10 be Involved in its
passage He conceived it to he impossible to
adopt the resolutions and to pass the bill. and
it was equally impossible 10 deny the facts on
which they rest. Or reject the conclusions de-
duced thereirom.