Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1833-01-03

Mr.. M. said that the only objection he would make TO
the seventh resolution of the Select Committee was that
the expressions OF dsappobaton of the doctrine of MULTI
Gallon which il contained, mild feeble. If
spoke at all upon that subject ought be in strong
language OF condemnation, in the voice unquai-
he'd reprobaon To speak Of the ordinances issued by
the South Carolina Convention. which seemed 10 have
been passed in total aud cruel disregard OF the rights
large minority OF the citizens OF that State and spirit
OF oppression rarely TO he equaed, merely
we cannot approve. and in language which would
leave II IN doubt if only objection these ordinances
was not the early period fixed Tor carrying them ope
ration, amounted almost to approval OF that
II we mus, speak OF these ordinances at ALL let say
once that they are in total violation OF every principle of
justice regardless OF mercy, aud ought to be repealed.
The eighth resolution the Objectionable any,
and required the severe scrutiny The two first sen
fences OF this resolution assert that in the Presidents
cent PVc'',nalo there are principles avowed and pow
efs assumed Tor the Federal Government which we iesi
10 be our solemn duty TO protest against" That
regard Them "a violating ic tnc construction and spirit
OF Tie Constitution, and Inconsistent with the doctrines
winch tins state has repeatedly asserted" When gentle
should ink proper state specifically what prnci-
pies avowcd powers assumed by the President il,
MS proclamation, and which liable TO this severe de-
nuncaton would be time enough TO undertake TO de-
ieHd Them For the present, he would barely observe,
that lac had carefully compared the proclamation tho
President with the Constitution of the Uued States, and
with TIC resolutions OF SIS and report of go and had
been able to detect any principles the
ed by both the others. Aud such he conceived must be
the opinion OF all who disposed put a fair
S'rucuon on the language OF The proclamation.
MIR Va SAID, he would proceed examine the only
SPecc'otJecon which this resolution made the prnci-
pcs asserted IN me Proclamation. IL was contained in
the following words, which lac read: That never
consent 10 deny the right any individual state, which
voluntarily entered no this political association,
definite period 10 Withdraw herself pcaceably from it,
when causes STALL whchinl Judgment shall
der such secession necessary Here The committee were
At direct issue with the f:cs dem OF the U. States and
hoped wih vast majority ct the people, a impor-
tant question ibis short sentence asserted principle,
upon The adoption rejection oil which, by this very &C.
neral Assembly, he existence of The Union may depend.
hehooyed the members of The COMM then, gravely
and aHlouSy to deliberate the proposition in the
sentence he had read before they the sanction of
their woes. etus then proceed with the disposition
d'e anu coo dehOera ION, to enquire First, What is the
pIihciP'e mere asserted ny the committee Secondly,
hat Is the iounGaon upon which this principle rests
And hrdly What WILDE the probable consequences of
dckno" Judgement OF this principle? According TO his
un'ci standing of the language used by committees the
prime pie asserted tat any state OF this Union had
undoubed right 70 withdraw herself from the compact al
that tie nbes OF the committee unless they criticised
the language of the resolution with great severity miqht
W9Prrehend the precise meaning OF the select commit.
tee, when they affirmed the right Il SAFE seceGe II
might be supposed by some, that the committee to
assert not hat Stale had lie right 10 secede pleasure
NV mat sue "ad me rIgt TO secede only when orpres-
slon became 20 grievous tina could longer be borne
10 put such construction The resolutions would be TO
a'oue TO IRE select committee m inaccuracy OF express
sion, OF which they could have heen guilty his
committee should keep la mind ue necessary distinction,
oe'"N me assertion OF mefe asrac prime pie and ques-
lions which may subsequently arise the p opriety of
2ppyrg that principle. Tie right Of secession il be
one at all, must be right derived from nature and of
course cannot have any condition annexed to IT, " IL be
a righ, 1t must OF necessity be which will Justify
state in Wild awing at any time from he Union with or
without couse, at pleasure and any question wch may
be supposed might arise my oppression OH The part
The General Government, diving state exeIc else
bu OF oNpedency. Precisely OF The charsc er is 4
quesiio' "iich might arise 10 e advantages which
would result rom wiilhrawal the Union, and the
formation OF new oi'i'nce it'll Great Bitsin. Such be-
ing the nature atd the right claimed Tor the scye-
RAJ states Y TIC select committee, let enquire into
we foundation o. tins imaginary right He had
July Examined The constitution Of the u ates but was
not able Ia discover in that acknowledges
mem OF any such right in the Suites which are parties 10
eSsio nj
terry inconsistent with the any such u.s. ia
the preamble to dat onturon he found il dec arcd
ib1' The object which the people of tho u. States had
vew in framing that Constitution, was TO form a more
perfect Union than that which had previously existed
amongst them Any gentleman who would explain to him
how IS possible tor any Union have existed before
less perfect than which the parties TO il could Dissolve
PeaSFeat any moment by The exercise OF this newly
discovered right OF secession, would confer great
His own ingenuity could devise more perfect rope
OF s"nh MAN such Union as that would be. He had
3iSo carenlly examined the Resolutions Of 0S and the
Report OF 80, 10 which the Select Committee had appeal
ed, The source from Which this doctrine of secession
was drawn; bat lac could find nothing in those celebrated
papers, which countenauccd such an idea On the
co"aiy,t appeared that lie Legislatures of some OF the
Northern States and thc old Federal parfv had unurJ
TO the authors OF tc Resolutions Of '9S design TO assert
principles OF the very character of this principle OF Sc
ccsso and iho great object OF the Report of 80 was,
defend those resolutions from what the whole Republican
party regarded as an unjust aud unlouudcd mputaton
their principles and motives The author that Report
laborcd most srcnuously and successfully vindicate
ms party from charge, which, had heen established,
would have justly exposed c authors the Resolutions
OF c0 10 Tie oil the people. The
tins pretended right Of secession had now, owing to some
astonishing pcycrsiy in human nature or some other in
eSplcabc cause Cpudiate the principles which the Re-
port OF 90 clearly demonstrates to have been the only prin
cplcs asserted iu the Resolutions of 49, and adopted d the
genuine and Legitimate oi>pung ct those resolutions the
principles which tc Federal party hodmpued 10 the
authors Of those resolutions. and aganst which ifnpufaon
the alr-l leaders OF dc Republican party, had cxcred
their utmost strength, 70 defend themselves Here Mr.
NJ read one of he resolutions adopted in 9S, and the
comment upon 1t 90 the report Ot %, which he confident
" relied upon, as fully sustaining the views he had taken
ol Gis suhiectl letter of Mr. Madison printed in The
Richmond Enquirer of the 18th OF October 1880 ia which
hc had expressed with great csarness aud precision what
he understood 10 be the principles of the Republican par
expressed Boa The resolutions Of 0S and The report of
99, (o'h OF which written by himselfJ and writ
tru wih knowledge that ii be published The
wofld Consequently wiu great care, had confirmed his
previous understanding oil those principles. iio had ho-
ped Che members 0i tIc committee might have been per-
unucd tha letter, but the House bad willc1 il
otherwise. lie hopcdnehcr Mr. Madison nor his friends
would mpute 10 bin any design ia abiding tat let
ter 60 expose "hs Inconsistencies TO he world about
which some gentlemen seemed 10 feel much appfe-
hcnsion d few days ago, when 10 proposed 10 repub
sh that letter for the Of hc ncmbors of the General
Assembly. Itnevcr bad occurred 10 bim until hat time.
ha a. would be- possible for him Vposc Mr.. Madison TO
ddiculc contempt, by any act he could perform. Ito
bad not heard, until them dat Mr. Madison had been gull
OF any u hc whole Of his long aud uselui
lite, which had been devoted TO The service of s
try, which iu tender mercy should he called on
rcain from exposing 10 Dee public gazc IIead not vet
been able thc Inconsistency alluded o; but be- hoped
Air Madison would duly appreciate the kind feelings ud
tcudcr motives, which frtuaitd gentlemen, n attempting