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


had become might become, members Of the Federal
alliance, Virginia included according 10 their usual
respsere prop0r s", "e gsmerG, eaarge ana sT
disposed Of for that purpose and for other
purpose tchdtecer." Now in the execution and fulfil
ment OF these solemn compacts could have been the
contemplation OF any man, that right existed pst
OF any Of these States to defeat the whole scheme
by secession from the Union?
So much, then, 10 this right OF secession cons
tutiona remedy is condemned, in my humble opinion
by the spirit and meaning OF the compact by every just
and iar construction OF il by the express and obvious in
tenton OF the patriots who formed and the people who
ratified il; by its alarming aud dangerous
and by all the great and benecent and blessed objects
which called il into existence. The Union 10 be in.
dissoube. Its cement in the language of Mr.. JEFF
ferson, todS in The hedtb0Od Of erery fmerican,
its basis imperishabe;" and in the language of Gen
Washington, to be indiSs0iJie and immortal
might go on and enlarge upon this subject, for have
yet much to says but must orbea-and would not af
ter so long letter. trespass longer your at
tenon if did not feel it my duty TO express TO YOU
this time, my opiaons upon another subject equally i'm
poran and in which feel deep interest," mean the
rights and pocers Of The State GOVERNMENTS and the
course which think South Carolina ought have pur-
sued in justice TO herself and her sister States feel this
too, the necessary, because you tell me- that to de-
ny the right Of secession constitutional and peace
able remedy is believed by many Of friends Vir-
gna be an abandonment Of the Rights of the States
the mercy oil 'he General Government.
In the first place, beg you TO understand, that whilst
deny the right oseecession, a constitutional on
Pedeeao remedy Tor wrongs or oppression by the Gen
era Government, admit the right OF any State in the
Union to throw OIL its burhens aud its government indie
pendeny oil all compacts and constitutions IL is the
right tho to resist oppression This principle of resistance
to all governments, Whatever their character or ma
ture may bel is anterior to all political power and is
derived from nature for the purposes OF sell-preser-
walton; 1t is the foundation of all liberties and the
cause to which we owe them 1t has BEEN and will
continue to be- justly regarded by feemen, most
sacred oil all rights possessed by shall be among
me last to deny il; and when the period shall come,
II ever does, (and God grant il may) when thi@
gh OF resistance TO OPPRESSION ought TO be exercised by
any state In this Unon hopc shall be found among ST
the foremost i'll its defence and support This right was
looked TO aud discussed i'll the Federal Convention Luz
ther Martin, you know one of The from Ma
ryand and took most active part against the consiitu
ton, because he considered it destructive the rights
oil the States He was probably, without exception the
most Incorporating friend of the rights ct the States ia
the Convention When called to render account OF
his proceedings TO the Maryland Legislature he went at
large into an examination of the provisions of the const
tuuon and more particularly those which he deemed most
offensive and dangerous to the States In speaking of the
81 article as to evying Sc against the United States
ne says; " ny me principles Of the american Rerolu-
tion dr6rdry po'0er may and be- resisted eue,,
6y arms necessary The time MAY come trhen IL shall
De the duty Of State IN order To preserpe itself from,
the oppression Of the General Government to hare e.
course to the stcord in iohch the proposed form OF
government declares that the State aud its citizens oAo
act under ats authority, guilty of treason" &c
Could he then ardent and devoted be to the rights
oil the Stes) have believed that this right visited on The
par. OF state consutuonaly and peaceably secede
o' Mor IN The same paper he declares that TO save
the citizens OF the respective States from punishment for
opposing the government Of the United States when act
ing under the authority of their own State he offered IN
the Convention the following amendment TO that mart nj
the Constitution: "PrOuided, That no act or acts dome
" Sy one or more Of the STATES, against the United
Stdes, or 6y any citizen Of Of The IT, s. under the
" authority Of one or Of the said States shall be
" deemed treason or punished such but in case Of
" DdT OenS levied 6y one of The said States
"Ggdnst the United States the conduct of each norf
60 shall be reguidted6y the iGos of toar and of nations
ms provision was rejected because says the States
were 10 De eit TO the mercy OF the General Government
use this only to shew, that neither the opponents nor
friends oil the Constitution in those days. understood or be-
eved that the right of secession existed on the part of
he
., MT Maruns conclusions opinions i, however do
not mean now to speak, express any opinion
In denying then, this right State TO annu the laws
inc UnIon or secede do affirm the doctrine tn the
Federal Government is consolidated one toith nIi,t
Gu PotoeTS Or that the rights TO the States or the
people, are thereby endangered or impaired, Do we
take from the States any of that defensive armour which
Intended TO be secured by the compact, the prnc
PICS oil our union deny any such Inference as far AZ
am concerned. You not therefore INV do AR sir
understand me in opposing qualification and secession AZ
aoanS one iota IN my attachment what have ever re-
garded as the first rights and powers of the States wand
protect them by every constitutional and rgb means mo-,
only as being essential the liberties and hannes Of %
people, but the existence Of the Union itself regard tho
Two Governments as nIssouby united and
necessary 10 the prosperity of our free institutions The one
10 wach over our foreign relations, the other TO controI
ana take care OF our internal domestic concerns IL
IS our DUTY The sacred duty OF all in public or priv,, life
10 guard the Federal Government on the one hand o
usnhg nto consollaon and the States on the other
into dissolution OF the Union. The one wouId lead ,o
oppression and nonarchy the other to oppression from
ABROAD, ana anarchy ami boOdshed AT home Evory "a
curly and check, therefore, intended for fine
OIL hese rghts are wholly untouched by denial of this
doctrine OF secession Before our great experen, ,I
SCIENCE government was made the only security AGAINST
abuse OF power in free Governments and indeed ee g.,
PIhcPle was founded alone its distribution nto sa
rate aud distinct departments BY this il was sno,
mat the proportion entrusted to the same hands n,, e
here would necessarily be less room for abuse of chat
was graned and the different branches BEING Interested
IN maintaining its own share. less opportuntv for s,,
ton would be found. The experience of ibe yorIj r.
PT"Ven ula III SINGLE Governments these barrsrs vyero
100 weak 10 withstand the uss Of power and ambiti,n
our system was therefore wisely intended TO on frte
anu TO claim still higher praise. The powers If Go,
ineni' lnse al OF being confined TO one great r,tio
head were iIrst divided between two senarate Covern
inehls (or distinct purposes and then again subdiv
INTO lhree departments checking and coutroIn cL
In many OF their operations and, although was beIid
anu ouhu " 10 be much difficult TO senarae and
maintain division OF powers between different G,ver
"eh.s, lhdh between departments of the same G,vern
eh, YET the task was not deemed impossible and ,lo
euor' was iof the rst time made in our present ham,
confederation In psrlecting this system gre,t % re
taken to provide by numerous and powerful cbecC 20
wei Tor the security and rights Of the peope a. If 3D.,
two Governments Need | recall 10 vo,,r recolIo.,;o
some OIL the most striking of these? Took in lie g.,
place 10 the character OF the House of
ana a OF the Senate; the intended TO d.
popular WIN" me other TO protect aud guard the rights and
sovereignty OF the State Governments w
o TIE election Of the President bv the nconc If ,,
Representatives (votng by States if there stG h "
election by the people in the first Instance: ~
10 the Feto by the Executive ON The ac,s or L,t
houses oil Congress; and the checks of the Judici,r H.
cases submitted to them by the Constitution or Laws made
IN pursuance Of il: " "'''' "'""e
10 that wise and still important power or arocd
ing lne compact itseL-No part Of tie Whole system