Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1833-02-26
, FOR TIE ENQUIRER.


paper Tor troubling you with any further remarks mine
upon subjects connected with our Federal Relations
mere Is no man. however nding he may be- who
lie allow his feelings TO be enlisted in political subjects
does not ee desire to give expression them and hav-
ing done So TO sustain character for honesty consis
tcncy in his opinions. not mean sir ever to place
myself in situation to questioned about this matte
but there days OF trial foe public men and private
ones too may have to answer Tor themselves
In the conclusion OF address you published in the
Enquirer OF the 22d December after expressing the salts
lacton with which behed the demolition OF the doctrine
OF NIieat9n by the Presidents Proclamation, said,
ne mas think borne down somewhat too hard upon
State Rights and leaned too much the side of federal
power But it there be weak point in that paper have
not the emerity, II had the WILL make an assault up
on 1t admitted too the light of secession i'm the last re-
sort My object now is 10 be explicit upon these sub
Iec.s, ana cannot accomplish it in manner salts
factory to myself than by brief review the Proclama
on IL objects to the argument by S. Carolina
'he cohsnIuonaity OF the tariff laws founded upon the
supposed motives of those who passed them and upon
supposed mlsaPPlcation OF the proceeds This objection.
understand II, in conflict with the first rule of
interpretation, viz that the spirit Of lao is the true
,est oil lis character, aud not the lettercerlanly not
nue Indeed, OtiUe gives character TO all human action;
II constitutes the difference between virtue aud yice-by
II the law maker be Judged as well as the culsrt
VINO violates the law And what be fairer inference
IRON any premises, than that the amount of revenue vast
W beyond the constitutional requirements of the govern.
meh resulting from system OF laws established aud
severed IN Tor years, is intended TO be applied and
necessarily be, II expended at ALL pur-
poses Admit this doctrine of the Proclamation and Won
libene Congress from all restraint.
That instrument ehafacierzes the Ordinance as one
passed by part of the people of one Stae"-o by small
or care maoIitys These give no additional force
to the argument against the Ordinance because if valid
al a bare majority, according republican principles
gives as much authority to law a vote "nemine con
u'"'ceh'e' rms argument is especially noticed here,
because opens the way the introduction of the opinion
subsequently enforced, that ours is single nation -
ne expressions above quoted if they have any peculiar
meaning are intended TO designate the majority Of State
or PH'f ITS people, az parts fractions OF the great
lmeger' me Union or single nation"-or, in other
words, 10 Stnh the States, being themselves inte
gers IN this great conlederacy-The arguments of the
proclamation against notification and secession run so
.oseuer mat Is difficult 10 separate them. shall
therefore consider them oneIt proceeds TO assert
mat " IN the election of President and Vice President the
states have no other agency than direct the mode in
winch votes shall be given" This think is a very inn
Pola agency; or,lby it the voices OF of the States
nave been concentrated, and the election those officers
turned lhe general ticket law is of tre
Inendons power-and why this choice given 10 the
States but to make their power TO be felt?
lie Proclamation deduces from its reasoning up TO
this point, that the ' Constitution of the United States
~ a government, not league" In this conclusion,
heartily concur in part-and it was to defend the
dignity OF that government against the detractions OF
le south Carolina Address TO the people of that State
.na venufed with my feeble quill into the arena of
newspaper warfare. Yes, Sir, ours is a Government
ana Is so considered by all the nations of the earth
hu no indn has done more than patriotic and high
" distinguished President make il respectable I'm
Tie held and Ia the Cabinet he has won for himself Is
reIs That Will never wiiher aud for his country name
.na honluS but Dlsunion can tarnsh-except ConsoIa
HON. Having, as devoutly trust, il from the first
now OeooVes YOU sir ant other able advocates of State
10 rescue III from the last. Do under.
stand me as feeling or expressing any fears Of worthy
Chie Magistrate for the iuture--he will yet tow the YES
sci OF State safely into port.
But whilst admit nay contend that our Consultation
Is government or more properly the form of Govern
nent, see no Inconsistency in calling il league or com
Poct me states being parties who have pledged portion
OF Their capital TO the joint the same time
carrying on business separately, and upon their own ac
count MORGAN perceive that by this contribution of
powers, 'hey have constituted "naton single so
ndyisbe, that the parts composing "canno rom that
period possess any right secede" Their Government.
existed before the Constitution that instrument does not
prohibit their secession does il admit III IL
leaves them in possession Of their original pbercnt CO.
veregu right ii in their judgment lie Con ulion has
been violated, they may withdraw from the Union-but
TIC sin be upon their heads, il they are mistaken nd
me other parties III their Judgment il has not have an
equal light TO doain hem-undcr the sane responsibility
TOT e correctness OF their opinion. The seeding party
exercises what 1t believes 10 be uugraned tight: the
oilers exercise power which they believe TO have
been dirly purchased aud paid Tor And let II he horne
~ m'nd' mat in the case supposed, the parties have
exercised Their h01est judgment upon The question
whether the Constitution has has not been vio'
There must be palieFng with the conscience
no selSh consideration OF temporary nature no cal
CEi"uoh OF dollars and cents: II these tie motives
OF action with the party seeding the parties cfainq
unsupported By conscientious belief that the conpac, r.
broken by the other then say there no right 10 with
draw or deialn, either, constitutional, moral or natural
except The right Of The strongest. by which the beast of
TIE l'resl takes Of himself
Our present Constitution the fruit Of an act Of SC.
ces'io by which twelve States seeded forn the thr-
ieenh upon the general charge Of non compliance with
some Of The articles Of confederation Of which all we're
guiy aad upon The right Of The majority or stronger par
" TO take Of themselves. REVERSING situations liz
We Rhode Island would have been regarded ~ rusnt and
Geat WIN accordingly, and very properly too. Such is
He a'herehce between peaceabe and revolutionary Sc
cesSon " the States do possess this figh Of seced
"g' "hen ~ their opinion the terms OF the charter have
, 'o,a'eo' mere Is no such thing estate sovereign
Y, aunt, az long rs they remain in the Union -
Whilst they do remain fiiev can nerforo no a., vt.t
would be recognized by the law OF nations a. act an NJ
soycegny they cireumseribsd bv .beir boondries
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