Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-03-26

longs properly TO tho people. whenever. in their
wisdom, they may choose to exercise the right
to pass resolutions of censure AMI OF condemna-
ton, against Federal servants and Federal mea.
sures, as well as against State servants and
State measures. But, Mr.. Chairman, | have
understood that Mr.. Madison has given recent
exposition of the Resolutions Of SO and the
Report of 'o9, in letter to the Editor OF the
North American Review.
1t has so happened that have never read that
letter. But iG it gives any other construction to
those celebrated State papers, than they bear up
ON their face. then Sir, in justice to MIR. Madl--
son and to this important subject. that letter
should be adopted as a part Of our proceedings,
and sent also to South Carolina. But, Mr..
Chairman, the 9TH Resolution complains I" that
spirit has in sundry instances been manifested
BY the Federal Government t" enlarge its pow
ers by forced constructions OF the constitutional
charter which defines them" &c. The Report,
in commenting upon this Resolution, and in emu.
merating the acts which emauated from this
- forced construction of the constitutional char
ter" uses this language: COMMITTING others
which have les occupied public attention, or
been less extensively regarded as unconstituon.
al. the Resolution may he presumed to refer par
ticuarly to the Bank la,v, which from the cir
cumstances of its passage, as we'll as the latitude
of construction upon which II Is founded, strikes
the attention with singular force; and the Car
riage tue, distinguished only by circumstances
in its history having similar tendency. Those
Instances also, if resulting from forced conslruc-
ton, and calculated to enlarge the powers of the
Federal Government, as the Constitution cannot
but conceive to be the case, sufficiently warrant
this part of The Resolution. -
Mr.. Chairman, you will remark. that two acts
of Congress are here complained Of. as being un.
constitutional, and as warranfing the adoption
Of the 4th Resolution. The f" Bank laU'' and
the law imposing the " Carriage.iar" were, in
those times Of party excitement, deemed of suf.
fcient Importance to justify one Of the Resolu-
tions of go. and the Report Of the following year
in its Justification. Blu, when these party ex-
elements had passed away, aud MIR. Madison
found himself the Chief Magistrate Of this nation.
he then considered il constitutional to establish
Bank and to impose tax on Carriages, and he
accordingly signed Bills to effect both of these
objects. SIR, some OF the wsest acts of his own.
and OF every previous and subsequent admins
traton, are IN direct violation Of that 4'h Resp
luton: No President or member of Congress
ever did. or ever can, be Of service to- his coun-
try, who would permit himself to be bound by
the restrictions OF that Resolution, as explained
by the Report. Butt will pursue this subject
no further. This is tie first in the course OF my
political life that it has become my duty to give
an opinion upon the doctrines uf'9s aud &c.
II is the first time that an opportunity was ever
afforded me of becoming a member. of what is
here technically called, the - Republican
Church" BIT Sir. cannot enter this Cnurch.
! cannot kneel at its affairs, and parake with you
the cup of communion. because | cannot do it
with clear conscience.