Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1833-01-12

FEDERAL RELATIONS -(Cou,in,,ed

4 K. HuTWur, deTreTed CONN
iftee Of the Whoie. on the state Of the Relations
6ettoeen the United States aud South Carolina on
Wednesday, I'd January.
MR. Chairman:-ln arising at this time address the
Committee, am actuated by disposition on my
part to contract the limits of debate, which
dscursvc in its character than with the expectation of
throwing any additional light this momenious subject
In the Report OF the Committee Federal Relations
there are several Resolutions which meet the
views oil every gentleman, at least great majority OF
the members of this House. We are all painfully i'm
pressed with sense of the difficulties and dangers of the
impending crisis; 1--WE all appreciate the blessings aud
vantages OF The Unon; ave all profess eu,ire faith
the articles Of our political creed expounded in tie cee-
brated Report of 80" There be doubt but ma.
Jorty oi the members OF the Virginia Assembly entertain
the belief that Tariff OF Duties the purpose
OF procctciion, is unconstitutional Modification has
been denounced Unconstitutional and inex Incident by
most oil us and the 7h Resolution remains the only de
baeable OF the whole twelve. This resolution
censures the Proclamation OF the President of the
United States and denounces the doctrines therein
set i0rth, as contrary TO the genius and spirit OF
the Constitution, and Che ntcrposition which Virgil
! MIA, speaking through her Legislature, has uniformly
given to that instrument 1t concludes by denying that
"he guilt Of treason he incurred by citizen OF
seeded State who in the discharge Of his allegiance due
to such State, violates law OF the remaining Union" 1t
Is TO this Resolution that beg eave TO direct the aen.
ton OF the Committee, and wouh bespeak their patience
while offer of tho reflections which it has s,ig-
gested TO my mini. The situation of our country is al
this time critical and may add alarming. South Carroll
ma important member of our coniederacy is about to
throw herself on her State Sovereignty and dissolve her
connexion with hersister State Her has gone forth
and her Ordinance declares, that if the Tariff laws
cnted within her jurisdiction and II force be attempted,
she leaves the Union.-To State with whom we
have been connected by the ties OF mutual interests and
mutual affections breaking asunder the bonds which unite
us togeher bonds which have cemented with her
best blood, strengthened by her patriotic efforts in com
mon cause, and adorned by the talents her lustrious
sons, gives occasions for feelings OF the thrilling and
heartrending character Southern sun shines upon Aer
we breathe the Southern air; the same interests
unite u.s. and may not be permitted add, the OPP
preston gals us Ii this be enough 10 awaken us TO
just idea OF the Importance Of the crisis let our
eyes III another drecon and what do behold? Why,
Sir Proclamation OF the President OF the u S. declaring
that the States OF this confederacy sovereign and
independent, but the integral parts of consolidated Co
vernmen-hat the bonds that connect together
Federal, and that free citizen who in obedience TO
the laws OF his own State in commission of snson
threatened with traitors death. The crisis is important
and the great question is, how shall we meet il; The
President has given to the world his Interpretation of the
Constitution, in clear, candid and undguised manner
(and far, the Proclamation is above all proise lie has
told unequivocay what part he felt be bis duty
to act in The approaching emergency and has thrown him
self upon the country for necessary aid support Now
sir, ii his construction OF the Constitution be the true one
if the powers he is about constitutional and
legitimate, ought TO feel ourselves bound to declare IT,
He ought to be sustained If, on the other hand,
should believe that his theory of our Government false
and the powers he is about TO sanctioned
by the Constitution, il is the part of candor dignity and
honesty 10 come forward and declare it, Mr. Chairman
am one OF those who are so unfortunate 10 believe that
the Presidents construction of compact is denied bv
the history our Governments by the obvious meaning of
the Constitution, and the Interpretation uniformly given il
by the wisest OF our politicians. Did the doctrines set
forth in the Proclamation by the President his
hory alone, high as that authority is il would scarcely
become the Legislature OF Virginia notice them But
when we find them hailed with so much rapture by
large portion Of our fellow citizens in different States;
when find that they have become the nucleus around
which ahe advocates Of latudmous construction have
arranged themselves becomes the Representatives OF
the People, as faithful sennes speak in voice which
may be heard and understood.
The President in giving his views Of tho nature of our
compact, assumes undeniabe positions that the Const-
tuition Of the United States forms government i'm which
the people of all the States collectively are represeneJ
hat The SfataG
sovereignty State has right secede, and
that by doing "desoys the unity of nation" It is
against these positions that the Committee their 7h re-
solution, enter their solem protest which resolution
propose sustain The President in attacking the sovs
rcgny of the States, aims vital blow every right which
appertans TO them The Importance OF guarding these
rights must be my apology for OBTAINING the committee
with the consideration OF what may, first view be
teemed abstTaciiOn but which will in the sequel he
Of the true nature Of our Governmental aude to State
sovereignty In its mos, extended meaning soveregntv
may be defined 10 he the authority switch the body poll
tic eXcris over all of it, members" 1t is in its ma.
ture supreme, governing every thing, and controlling
every thing within the limits Of is jurisdictions Being
supreme, and founded in the eternal laws of nature
and justice, it must he and indvisiblc. For
to suppose Ihat there could be sovereign powers
each claiming The right OF the exercise OF uncontrolled
power within u limits, would be per-
feet rights TO the thng-two conflicting rights
which not only false bu, absurd Sovpreiputy- then
must be looked UNFIT bears the same relation to
the body poll c, tina, the soul bears the natural BODY
and may be called the soul of civil society II is not pal
/ ~,
universal cause OF all things. IL is only know by its ar
bues. Many OF these attributes may be parted with for
while and transferred for indefinite period, even
without the sovereignty to which they belong, being
lecied; the right Of revokng must always belong to it,
Tor sovef eigny II the expression may be allowed, i'll al
ways draw alter its attributes The great Ruler Of the
Universe himself, ofen places thu important aUr-
bues OF lis soveri gnty The hands Of inferior agents
His angels aversing the bouness tegions of SPACE
passing from oTd 10 world in order execute his hrh
chests, but his sovereignty remains ieci and unden.
ed because he revoke the POWERS dele gated at will
This is strictly true OF Ststc Tor the law of nations dc
clare hey may strip themselves Of many Of the at.
tributes OF sovereignty, and place many restrictions
upon Themselves u the exercise OF l., without i'm pair.
ing in the least their inherent rights Oi sovereignty
(Vacl) History is full Of examples This is more or
the case in every treaty between independent naions-a
ways so in combinations II being clear, hqn that the
nation there must be supreme power Fl necessity
which attach the Of sovereignty and being un.
controlled, must be indivsble becomes question Of
The last importance for to determine where in tie
United States this sovereignty exists. As Legislators we
ought to know where this sll.rOnroug power resides
las citizens VI becomes enquire 10 whom owe
allegiance. Is it 10 the State, 10 the General Go.
vemmenH II to the United States nation sovereign.
~ must reside either with the President and Congress
or with the great body Of The People OF the United States
as integral parts Of nation. Now II cannot reside with
the former because their powers expressly limited by
the Constitution, and sovereignty, has been shown
must ear nfcessifoie rel be unlimited and uncontrolled
II cannot exist with The great body Of the People
because there is mode pointed Tor the exercise
Of IT, An asscmbago OF the Delegates Of the majority
Of the people Of the United States in Convention ri
Philadelphia Washington, would be recognized
Iii. .fe,fs tn Oh "a