Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-03-12
Mr.. CALHOUN's SPEECH.
lCNNTINUEp.


all PRACTICAL purposes, had already been paid |;
aud, under the existing duties, a large annual
surplus Ut msny millions, must come into the
Treasury. II was impossible to look at this state
Of things without seeing the most mischievous
consequences; and, among others, if not speed-
" corrected, it would interpose powerful and al
most insuprrabie obstacles to throwing of the
burden under which the South had been SD long
iaburiny. The disposition OF the surplus would
become 4 subject Of violent and corrupt struggle,
and could not fail to rear up new aud powerful
interests in support "f the existing system; not
only in those sections which have been heretofore
benefited BY it, but even in the South itself lie
could not but trace to the anticipation OF this
state of the Treasury, the sudden and extraordi-
nary movements which mad taken paare as the
last session in the Virginia Legislature. in which
the whole South was vitality interested. IL was
impossible for any rational man to believe. that
that State could seriously have thought Of effect
inc the scheme to which he alluded by her own
resources, without powerful aid trom>the Gener-
al Government.
twas next objected, that the enfor cling acts
have lesislated the United States out Of South
Carolina. He had already replied to this objec
ton on another occasion, and would now bur re-
peat what he then sad that they had been le
right to enter. Tine constitution had admitted
the Jurisdiction of the United States within the
limits Of the several States, only 50 far az the de-
legated powers authorized: beyond that they
were intruders, and might rghtfully be expelled;
J and that they had been efficiently expelled by
the legislation of the State through her civil pro-
cess, as has been Acknowledged on all sides IN
the debate, is only conformation of the truth Of
the doctrine for which the maturity in Car DINA
had contended.
The very point at issue between the two par.
ties there was, whether Modification was peace
full aud an efficient remedy against an unconsti
tutonal act Of the General Government, and
which might be asserted as such through the State
tribunals. Both parties agree, that the acts
against which il was dlrecte are unc nsttutlOn-
al and oppressive. The controversy was only
as to the means by which our citizens might be
protected against the acknowledged encroach
ments on their rights. This being the point at
issue between the parties. and the very object OF
the IN jority, being an efficient protection of the
cirizeus through the State tribunals: the measures
adopted to enforce the ordinance, of course, re-
ce,ed the most decisive character. We we're
not children. 10 act by halves. Yet, for az ting
thus differently, the State is denounced, and tins
bill reported, to ove,rue. by military force, the
Sir, said Mr.. G., consider this bill, and The ar
suments which have been urged on this floor in
lis support, as the mos, triumphant acknoa ledge
ment that Modification is peaceful aud efficient;
and so deeply entrencbed in the principles Of our
system that il cannot be assaulted hut by prostrat-
ing theCuDstitu,ion, and substituting the suprema.
cy of military force In lieu OF the supremacy Of the
laws. In fact, the advocates of this bull refute
their own argument. They tell US that the Or
dinlnce is unconstitutional, that they infract the
constitution Of South Carolina; although to him
the objection appears absurd, as it was adopted
BY the very authority which adopted the Const-
tuition itself. They also tell Us that the Supreme
Court is the appointed arblter Of all controSer.
sizes betae State and the General Govern.
ment. Why, then. do they not leave this con-
troversy TO that tribunal? Why do they not con-
fje to them the abrogation of the Ordinance, and
the laws made in pursuance OF it, and the asser-
ton Of that supremacy which they claim for the
laws of Congresss The State stands pledged
to resist no process of the Court. Why. then,
confer on the President the extensive and uni-
mited powers provided in this bil'l Why au-
thorize him to use military force to arrest the CT
vii process of the Slater But one answer can
be given. That, in a contest between the State
and the General Government, If the resistance
be limited on both sides to the civil process, the
State, by its inherent sovereignty, standing upon
its reserved powers, will prove too powerful in
such controversy. and must triumph over the
Federal Government, sustained BY its delegated
aud limited authority; and, 10 this answer. we
have an acknow ledgement Of the truth Of those
great principles for viii Oh the State has SO firmly
aud nobty contended.
Having made these remarks, the great ques.
ton Is now presenied:-Has Congress the right
to pass this bllls Which he would next proceed
to consider. The decision Of this question in
wolves the inquiry into the provisions Of the bull.
What are they! l, puts at the disposal Of the
President, the Army aud Navy, and the entire
militia Of the country. 1t enables hin, a, h,s
pleasure, to subject every man in the United
States, not exempt from militia duty, to martial
law-to call him from his ordinary occupation.
to the field, and under the penalty Of fine and
Imprisonment inflicted BY court martial, to lm-
b,u- his hand in his brothers, blood. There is
no limitation On the power of the sword. and that