Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1833-08-01
POLITICAL.
From the Richmond Uhig.
TO THOMAS RITCIIIE. ESQ M

=.
In the letter which addressed 10 vou nm
the I'd inst, propounded to YOU the within
interrogatories, touching the great principles
involved IN The present measures of the Fede-
raj government. ! could not wait for your
reply, even II there were better reasons than
any which can now discern, for expecting n
reply at all. do not EXPECT il. and Vet I
venture TO hope for il. You owe il IN your
own Character, 10 your numerous patrons
and TO the great cause in which Won have
proiesscd to be a Jealous labourer. 10 he M
longer silent or mysterious, upon these i'm
Portant topics. Come out, pray YOU, in
manner at once so distinct and uncouiyocal
as TO leave no pretence, either To friend ga
ioe' LOT accusing you of duplicity or timidity.
i've I'D very retired corner OF the coun-
news no longer in other places Hence. at
the date of my last letter, . had only hsard of
inc residents late message to Congress-
ihat most weak and sophistical, vet most
dangerous document, was never readily me
nnti TINS morning. IL has sunk into a still
deeper depth OF depression, the few lingering
hopes which ! was permitted 10 cherish. thaI
the constitution and public liberty, would sur
vive The administration Of Andrew jackson
shail nave something TO say TO YOU upon
mat subject hereafter proceed now To re-
Ieem my promise, in proving, or at least en-
uea'ouring 10 prove, that the Virginia reso-
iu.iohs OF 1853, cannot be carried out in aby
other manner than by notification. In doinr
this, l shall go back no farther than 10 The
resolutions themselves. I shall give 10 the
language employed, no other construction
IMAM That which every man of plain common
sense VIII De compelled TO give il. This is
the only fair course OF proceeding. for The
resolutions were intended for the great bodv
OF the people, and must have been DESIGNED
10 be comprehensive by the mcanest capaci-
~ will not do the Legislature the inius-
ucc OF supposing. that they Intended 10 wran
up ~ mystery, which none but the statesman
or The man of learning could penetrate. prin
ciPies winch they deemed essential TO the
preservation OF constitutional liberty. So
much Oh hose resolutions as relates 10 the
present SUBJECT, IS IN the following words -
That this Assembly doth explicitly and
peremptorily declare, that il views The now
ers Of the Federal Government as resulting
from The compact 70 which the states are par
Ties, as limited by the plain sense and ulen
Ton oil The instrument constituting that COM
pact, as no farther valid than they are autho
riLed by the grants enumerated in that COM
pact, and that IN case Of deliberate, palpa-
BILE, and dangerous exercise Of other powers
not granted by the said compact. the States
who are parties thereto, have the right. and
are in duty bound, to interpose for arresting
the progress Of the evil, and for maintaining
within their respective limits, the authorities.
rights and liberties appertaining TO them,
nat The good people Of this Commonwealth
having ever ieit, and continuing TO feel, the
most sincere affection for their brethren Of
the other States the iruest anxiety for e.ta-
biiyhing and perpetuating the union Of all
and the most scrupulous fidelity 20 that con-
stitution which Is the pledge Of mutual friend
shIp, ana the instrument u mutual happiness
the beneral Assembly doth solemnIy appcaI
10 The Ike dispositions IN the other States. IN
confidence That they will concur with this
commonwealth IN declaring. as Il does here
ny declare, That the acts aforesaid, 1.-The alien
ana sedition laws, are titutional; and
that The necessary and proper measures will
DC taken By each, Tor cooperating with tbi,
state, IN maintaining unimpalred, the anlho-
rites, rights aud Liberties, reserved 10 the
states respectively or g. tie people"
IN these resolutions, The following ptinei-
pies orc distinctly affirmed
/. That The Constitution % the United
states - a Compact between the States, As
such
2. Thatfbe Government established by that
Compact, possesses no power Whateter, ox. I
ccpi what " the plain sense aud Intention Of
that Compact gives 20 a.
, Thatevery act done 10y that Government,
not plainly within uie limits u ~ powers, Is I.
void.
= That saeh State has a right 10 say Whe- /
ther IN act done by that Government = plain Z
y within The limits of hs powers OF not.
o That the States arc not bound % sub /
MT to' out may resist, any act u that Co /
vernmsut which they shall 20 decide 10 be be- /
yond tlfe limits Of iis powsrs.
Az tbs y plain enough, and Is, A. under I
stand fully admitted BY yourself The only i
difficulty a., 20 discover ~ srkat mode the Re 4
solutions contemplated that resistance should I
o. aPrhed. On ihIs subject. : have 10 re-
IA Hm "a.