Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1833-02-07
Virginia Legislature.

committee 81 the Whoie on The state Of The Relations
0ettceeH the United States and South Cdroiiild on
/ Monday, the 7h January
Mr. Charmanlt has been said, with great truth that
this is an important occasion. While shall not attempt to
eXaggerate its soemnity, would admonish would en-
treat genteSn, TO remember its character that we
may meet the crisis duty country aud 10
mankind demands
This IL, indeed ordinary crisis, where the errors Of
today may be revised and corrected Tomorrow The
hghss desnies OF country stake aud one false
step may seal The late OF this tree aud happy republic or
ever We stand, sir the verge civil war The din
oil arms has not been hearno American blood has
shed; put The awful notes OF preparation have been
cd and while deliberate the fatal blow may be struck
and the calm sunshine OF peace which now gladdens our
country may be changed into the dark tempest Of anar-
chy and intestine
Let then approach this suhicc, i;h that cool le
ration which its magnitude requires. Let us feel that il
involves consequences OF vital moment every Yrgnian
TO every Amcrcan--lo civilized man every where
Yes sr the uhabitaut the reoiest SPOT on has
an interest in the failure ot that experiment
Viii, making in fee government The American
revelation was the first ol great chain of events which
we have iondly hoped destined change The moral
aud political condition of The world Already has il broken
Tie Seal OF ages and like OF intellectual light
dSPelg The superstition and ~ >lny which had rested
Oh Tie human mind from remote antiquity. Ii has AVA
kened The dormant energies Of man. and reused him to
shake oil the orpor OF despOlsm while il has taught him
10 seek his happiness by maintaining his own RIGHTS
Let us Onug 10 the cOnsidcr OF this subject no mo-
tive OF sesh ambition no passion or prcudiccnon i;,
al party Sentiments like these should sink such an
cason TO their proper level lar beneath the dignity the
soienhy oil this question, and should meet as ma
ulo'S prepared TO devote every hing coun-
will attempt to trace the progress of those events
winch have led to the unhappy state OF things which ex
Isis IN our country. This is time sir to review that
system OF Legislation in Congress which has such
deep and settled discomfort Throughout the Southern
Sa'es nor TO consider the steps by which $ Carolina has
been urged TO The fearful precpicc on which She stands
IL were needless now, TO indulge in elimination
on ei'her hand. The emergency demands OF us higher
and more sacred duty.
We all agree, (and happy am / sir that we ,gree in
any thlug) that Virginia should TO mediate he
tween the parties To this unnatural and alarming conro-
Versy 1t has been whispered the North that Wiz.
gind assumes too much this occason-that we attach
too much consequence TO mediation. Sir Virginia
mas TO eel an interest in all that the lber-
ties the union OF these States She has scnuireJ liza,
right 10y the sacrifices OF blood and treasure which she has
haue Tor both Virginia has right to speak-aye sir
and TO be heard this occasion viii her voice not he
needed our countymcn OF the North and of the South
when they remember that the blood OF her sons still
P'nus 'or noery and unon on the plains of Saratoga
OF Brandy wine, OF Euaw aud Cowpes? VIII il M, h.
needed by the citizen OF the far West as he follows MI
ough, or sits by his cottage reside when he remembers
he generous n"gn"nmi'y of Vnginin, in times when she
had empires 10 besow! Yes, sir, her voice win be l,rard
her admoniton will be heeded,-an trust all NAV he
well Bu II we shall plead in van-i in the eventSof =
mysterious future, this happy Union destined TO be
pfo"eh mo s original agmentS--ii hostile nations shall
ever occupy Tie places Of these Staes- the brave and
hardy sous OF the West shall Virgnias cbivaIrv in
HE hcrce outset OF bdtle, will not their arms recoi and
The steel drop from their nerveloss grasp hen bey re-
member That Virginia gave them their country and their
hOmehat she renquished etnpires for fin. iior,,, i
the union Of these States? 1850
But how are we 10 mediate, sir? would ask rcnte
men 10 remember that we assume this office mediator
we nave nov Oeen selected as the pe in this cono-
Vtrsy' Anu why do we orr mediation? Ii is irue
SIT, that we owe much very much to our sister States
but we owe something also ourselves What inr,irs
their security and happiness Affects rs This is no n,I
question OF Tariff or Notifications The liberties ot
United America involved in the issue The exisinn
controversy between South Carolina aud .he u States
must soon terminate. Ii will pass as The cloud which
gathers on The horizon OF summers sky-and though il
may sweep like desoldng tornado over orr fair tclI
and leave misery and ruin IN its wake-yct it will pass
bNt the principles aud the pow which have been as
stunned by the parties must remain to affect the rights and
the liberties oi million; yet unborn Let us then meet The
occasion prompuy-le speak the language of kinns
and coucIdon but let speak men who know their
rights ahd dare maintain them.
The question IS now between the Resolutions repored
by the Committee Of twenty one as they have been
amended and The substitute OF the gentleman from Fau
qiier, (Mr. Mafshal) fMr. g. read The substitute I
And IS this all which gentlemen would have Virginia to
say on tins OCCASION? would appeal 10 the gentleman
from Fauquer himself and ask if he would have lis mn,
tive State do no more than this such inctire? What
mediation will result from such course? viii YOU sim
ply request South Carolina, particular favor IN
pend her Ordinance OF Notifications without assigning 4
reason or of ring nducement for her counl,ucc;
You would only tell her that which we must presume
she already Knows Can che not estimate aud weigh as
well as YOU all the chances OF obtaining redress for the
wrongs she complains Of from Congress- Arc we not TO
suppose that all these things have been considered bv thai
state! We should ecollcct that South Carolina is like
Virginia, Sovereign Stacthat she has deliberately as
sumed the attitude IN which she siands-tat she has
ever we may regard them. Aud we expect her TO
obey the dictum of Virginia? Does nv friend from
Fauqnier forget the story of Cauute in British Historv
That monarch persuaded by his courtiers that the
waves Of the would roll back At his command
that he had only speak and Neptune would treublc
He sat the beach and issued the bchestbut the
ludicrous sequal is familiar 10 the committee And sir
rest assured this storm OF Revolution will not roll back at
your bidding Virginia cannot colnmand--tlough she
ought reason, rciuOnstrJte il her utercession lie
| pcced to be efectual.
have another objection 10 this substitute Sir fear
it may commit Virginia IN Ibis controversy, and thus pre-
matuely hasten that catastrophe which seek to
vent II does his or holds the deluive word of "pro.
mise to the which il breaks 10 the understandings
Recoec the relations in which Virginia stands to South
Carolina. Virginia has resolved three several occa.
siOns, That these Tariff laws, designed for protection are
unconstitutional and oppressive Our authority il
ed 10 furnishing preredenis and for the
which South Carona has adopted. Our resolu-
fons Of 1893 quoted the original text for the doc
Carolina pause, 10 wait until day which we ourselves
name, will she not con-ifue IL into pledge that when
that day coues, II our hopes Of relief from Congress are
disappointed we viii cooperate With that State in her nj
terror measures? Sir ought be refining or chop
ping logic We should act in good filth and subject our
selves 10 no misconstrncuon Jhsis due tie occasion
and 10 country.
with ono exception sir approve te resolutions Of The
committee. II does not become take sides in ti.
controversy, ii would mediate between The parties
We should occupy armed neutrality be gcen Them add
while ondc1vor 10 restore their peace take care Of oui
own rights Here Mr. & read the following cliuse from
/ the 7th Re .outon Of the Committee II
That consequence from this principle asserted in
1908 never recognize tie conclusion assumed in
the Proclamation that ihe guilt Of csu be incurred
by citizen Of seeded Slate, who in discharge Of hi,
allegiance due 10 said State, violates laW OF the remain