Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1833-01-22

sion oil the American people. That he had been willing
70 glance this question: he found himself differing as TO
the particular character of this right from many its adj
vocacs lie was gratiicd however, TO find something
IKE coincidence OF opinion between himself and the in
teigent gentleman from Petersburg whose remarks had
renewed him from the necessity Of saying much upon this
topic IL obviously the intention of the gentleman
from Brooke by his motion, obtain from the House de-
caraton OF the character of the right The proposition
OF the gentleman called upon the House affirm that
state had not the right at her will and pleasure
10 seceue hut that the act o secession in its chaac
Ter unconstitutional, revolutionary &C. Mr.. N said he
dd not consider the right of secession a revolutionary
right in the ordinary accepta,ion of the term nor was il
que Wnich was derived from, consequence of, tho
dera compact II a right incident to sovereignty and
paramount to the Constitution. He did not however con-
der an enduring right but which springs into ex-
s'enee by the force of circumstances 1t contingent
ana dependent for its existence upon papable volaon
OF the federal compact in material part might ac-
cre TO State from ntolerable oppression when commit
ted even according to the forms the Constitution if car.
req 10 an extent obviously to defeat the ends objects
oil her political connection with the States In opposi.
ton 10 this view had been urged that the right must he
regarded as continuing and subsisng right al all times
because The State was from necessity to be the Judge
when me night accrued In reply TO this, II nigh be Oh
served that the coSates had right TO Judge like wise
ana The effect OF this only impose upon the State
proposing TO secedc, the necessity and importance of
making rghtful decision upon the circumstances :
lie thought confusion had ming itself i'm this mat
ter from the fact that gentleman had distinguish.
ca WHO siHlcem care between the right Judge and
the right oil secession itself, which was a consequence
oil the breach OF the compact and flowed from it, In all
cases OF compact between powers
each party acquired right when there was no
arbier each must judge for isefof breach of the com
pact Suppose. said he for example, that England and
france, Tor the purpose OF cGcctng some common object
enter INTO compact by which il is agreed that England
should keep up fleet at Gibraltar, sufficient 10 blockade
a' pass mo Tue mediterranean Sea; and that France on
her Pa, was 10 furnish given OF land co.
operate IN their object II France failed TO per
orm her part oil the agreement any man DENY the
right which England would have to Withdraw her fleet
Yet no man would pretend, that the necessity which
made England the Judge Tor herself when the breach oc
Cured, gave her The right at ali times c,nric;ost 1
harN b.oo
bloc ade Mr. ~ said, he might illustrate this dis
uncuon ny taking Case where there a common ar
bitter lie had right to his slaves; but il that RIG hit was
disputed the Courts OF the country would be called ON IN
decide. fetit was Obvious that the right to Judge and
e 1g' decided upon, were separate and distinct thngs
he right OF secession said be revolutionary pht
H. by this "Ppellaon, it desired to treat it, ms the
natural right OF a, b. aud c, individuals under govern
1neni, TO throw oil nole able oppression he certainly could
not agree TO the position. The right which he contended
Tor was State right, 10 be exered in her social or cor
porate capacity Our form of civil polity was Pc
cmiar to ITSELF it partly National and partly FEEDER
al Yet enough OF the Federave character had been re-
tanned to preserve the separate character Of the States
Ana That although the withdrawal OF State from the Fe.
uer@ 'etnne" might be an act by which the govern
men might be changed altered and for that reason
mightOe supposed by some TO be revolutionary. Yet he
deed the consequences which the Procl contend
ca ortha alter secession the obedience her citizens
her own laws, in opposition the laws the Federal Gov
ernnen could make them traitors He believed the conive,
taken in war would and ought be regarded as prisoners
oil war Ii was in this point OF view mainly that the
question was one OF much INTEREST," because he did believe
at IN nine cases out OF ten the secession would lead
to war Mr. N said, that form of Federal Government
could not be compared TO any other government in the
world was in its character original and that all reasoning
upon III must pardkc the same character and be found
ed upon just consideration of it, was actually consIi
lu'ed lie knew that this a favorable time for
suc discussions; the period for debate had passed: he
therefore declined offering his views Of the Presidents
Proclamation, and the pursued by South Caro-
ma whiGh he had designed at period have offer
Ell 10 me Rouse lie should not vote for the notion be-
cause the right OF secession called in the resolution
revolutionary right.
Nh -
ncen aware that the resolution defined
utionary right As that the case he could not vote
or ' ana moved to strike out all after the word but
as IN eject TO divide the questions, whethera State could
secede at her VIII and pleasure and whether was revo-
luionary nghI
Mr.. Carter ofP W.. said il appeared TO him that LAYING
aside The merits OF the question of secession there was
vagueness in this resolution which would induce him IN
vote againStit There were many members he presumed
VINO had not examined the ordinance of South Caro-
Una, and without having examined that document il
would be improper to give on this proposition
He iamented that the question of secession had been
brought before the House, he thought it could not pro-
dnce any practical result He did not think it necessary
or Tins Legislature to declare how State should redress
her wrongs and he had offered proposition that effect
before another body. He had intended to move am
amendment Of the 9TH resolution after having voted against
striking il out, but he had bv the o
question put by another gentleman that il could not be
amended
Mr. Faulkner thought that he could suggest course
which would free the House from the difficulty which I'M
der the decision OF the Chair il involved III wasve
ry certain that the vote given moments since uno
out the ih resolution, did
me House upon the question OF secession Ii was doubt
with him how he would vote upon motion to strike out
the entire resolution. He also knew some individuals
near INN, who unfavorahe that sentence of the
1h resolution, which increnay recognised the doctrine
oil secession and yet who unwilling TO strike ont the
ehlre resolution lie not altogether satisfied either
AZ the manner in which the question was presented i'm
the resolution OF the gentleman from Brooke The Chair
having then decided that the 9TH resolution was no LONGER
iaole 10 noHhcaton or amendment and now not be.
nag in order TO strike part he no mode i'm which
me sense OF the ilonse could he fairly tested upon that
important principle, but by having re- consideration of
TIE vote to strike out the 18th resolution That course
would enable MS 10 test the question in a mode the least
eNcePuonable to both parties in the House He was ga.
shed therefore, il his friend from Brooke would with
draw his resolution, gentleman would move recon
sidcTaon OF that vote
Mr. thought it peculiarly proper that the sense of the
House should be tested upon the naked principle of
as advocated by the friends of the report IL had
ed much at large II claimed be Fundamental prin
cipe OF the social compact Ii was principle intimate
" connected with the future peace and happiness of the
country; anu therefore became important that the peOpe
should Know who favored and who epndiaed the doctrine:
iheir confidence could thereafter be more advisedy be-
slowed For his part, although he had been threat
enfd with accommodation from the Republican church.
Tor not subscribing TO that of political faith he was
happy and would be upon all occasions To record his
vote against such wild and dsorganzing views Of the Fed
] eral Constitution.
Mr. Campbell thought the House must he perfectly
aware OF the object he had in view The 7th resolution
referred TO the right OF secession by speaking Of seeded
state. IL was true that it did not declare the right of
stale TO ecede; but must go the world the doctrine
OF me House Should that resolution be adopted without
quanhcauon the speeches Of the friends OF the report
OF the Select Committee would be taken in the absence Of
a. fhC 4