Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-03-25

verified to their injury or oppression. AND, yet'
plain as this discrimination is, between the PEG.
pie Of Virginia and The people OF the unitea
States, this form of ratification has been urged,
| as an argument, to prove that Virginia reserved
to herself the right to resume the granted PAYERS,
and to secede from the Union whenever, IN her
opinion, those powers were perverted Oher inJu'
~ or oppression. Mr. Chairman, in the 9d arti.
| Gle Of the Confederation " each State retained
its sovereignty. freedom and independence. y
And, vet, great as were the restrictions OF the
States upon that Unionof States, no State could
sec EIDE from it at its own discretion. This is
evident from the terms and provisions OF the con.
| federation itself
| But the Constitution, being more "cOnsoli-
dated' and more Is perfect Unon," under
which the States, as has been shewn, could not
be secured in all '' their rights OF independent
sovereignty" the ratification cannot be construed
as expressing the opinion, that State could Sc
cede and Withdraw the people within its limits
from their allegiance to Government which those
very people had aided in making supreme"
aud paramount in its authority to the State Govts.
But an objection has been made TO the ''shgIe
Nations doctrine" as it has been called by my
able friend from Wythe. Mr.. Chairman, every
act of this Government, whether far home or Tor
foreign purposes. proves that the Constitution can
only BE- construed as forming one Nation or one
Government, for the objects and purposes there.
! ia mentioned. But the unity of its character
was maintained by the Father of his country, at
an early period Of its existence. He was the
President Of the Convention which formed the
Constitution He was the first President of the
United States For eight years, he discharg-
| ed the duties of the Executive Department
under that Constitution. All these opportu-
! tl.l h.
of our Government, both in its theory aud in
its practical operation. better. perhaps, than
ans other man, then, or now living BY refer
ence to his farewell Address, it will be seen, that
he speaks Of this particular feature of the Go
vernment as one of vital importance. "The
unity of this Government which constitutes YOU
one people is now dear to you 1t is justly so;
for it is main pillar in the e,li6ce Of your real
at home-your peace abruad-of your satety-of
Your prosperity of that very liberty which you
so highly prize. But it is easy to foresee, that
from different causes and from different quarters,
much pains will be taken, many articles employ
ed to weaken in your minds the conviction OF this
truth; as this IS the paint in your political fortress,
against which the batteries of Internal and exter-
nal enemies will be most constantly and actively
Though often covertly and insidlousiy) directed"
Mr.. Chairman can appeal to no higher authority
than this, upon any constitutional question. TO
none certainly. for which nave so profound a re.
spect and yenpration.
But tbs "unity," which is indeed the "mo,n"
and almost the only "plllar in the edIfice OF our
real Independence" to sustain - political for.
tress az inst the batteries at Modification and
Secession, is but re affirmed IN the Proclamation
OF the President. That part Of the rocaHdtioG
Is in these words: shut each State having express
ly parted with 80 many powers a. to constitute
jointly with the nther States single Nation, can
not from that period po>srss any right 20 secede;
because such secession does not break league,
but DESTROY The Miiiy Of Nation: and any nu-
~ to that unity is not only breach which would
result from the conravention Of compact, but
it is an offence against the whole Union. TO say
that any State may al pleasure sccede from the
Union, is to say that the United States are not
Nation i'ns Important principle, Mr.. Chair
man. is no less necessary to the preservation Of
the Union. there are mans others contained in the
proclamation of the President. Aud although
have never been Jackson man, an prepared
to do full justicp to the merltOrlous acts Of his
administration. Nor is the unity. or the nation
alitv of this Government. impaired by its fedora
tive features, In several parts of the Constitu-
ton, the States are required to perform certain
duties, without which, the operations of the Go
vernment would BE- suspended. The State Lee
sislatures, for example, are required to choose
Senators, and to direct the " manner" in which
the reoptr to elect the Electors OF President
and Vice President. The States are also TO act
in affecting amendments to the Constitution and
to perform other important Offices. which are re-
qured of them bv that instrument. which is the
{" supreme law of the land" These federative
features, while they do not make this Govern
ment Of States, to the alarming extent which is
commended for, impart to it a ederative principle
which gives complete security to the State Go
vernments aud must protect them from that sulph
of consol idation, which is SO much dreaded by
some gentlemen. But, Mr.. Chairman, it is said
that this General Government, is the agent OF the
States. Aud that the Constitution is the power
Of attorney prescribing the duties of that agent.
Sir. have endeavored to show that this is Go.
vernment Of the people, and not Government
of the States. Both the State and General CO.
vernments, are alike the Governments of the peo-
- A