Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-02-01

I sand eight hundred and seven, entitled Gan
act authorizing the employment Of the land and
naval forces Of the United States in cases Of in
surrection."
"By employment Of military force, or any
other unlawful means What meansi BY
turning to the message, to which the bill responds,
it would seem that those s'other unlawf means''
might be legislative acts or judicial process -
That is, If South Carolina does not repeal her
ordinance and legislative acts, or il she makes
other laws which, in the judgment of the author
ties Of the State, or Of the Federal judiciary. will
obstruct the collection Of the revenue, the Pres.
dent may use the army and navy in compelling
submission to the laws. Upon information which
looks to the case of prospective obstruction to the
due administration Of the United States laws,
the President is empowered to issue his proca-
nation, declaring the fact, and ordering the force
to disperse; and If it be not dispersed, he may
cause the laws Of the Union to be executed, by
the employment Of the army and navy. The
military and naval force are put under the con-
troll of the President, in the event Conformation,
not of actual, but Of apprehended and approach
ing resistance to the laws.
Is not this provision calculated to subdue the
sovereignty of the States by force Of arms-by
war-yes, by WARRIOR, disguise it as you will,
this provision is declaration Of war! Ii empow-
the President to make declaration of war.
The war making power is giving to Congress,
that they may weigh well the consequences OF a
Of a war before they engage in 1t. and exhaust
negotiation and all other means, before they
plunge the people into war. But here, in de-
fance of the safeguard Of the Constitution, the
war making power is given to the Chief Ma
gistrate alone. Upon a mere information, he
may declare war by Proclamation. and prose-
cute il with all the naval and military power Of
the country. Sir, said MIR. BIBB, I cannot con-
sent to this. 1t squints too awfuly at monarchy.
lie would now endeavor to call the attention Of
the Senate to the feeling manifested by the Co.
lonies, when Great Britain attempted to exert
unconstitutional powers over them.
He adverted to resolution passed by the
response to a message from the Governor. re-
quirins an appropriation TO defray the expense
Of the provisions for the military force stationed
at Castle Island, according to an act Of PArlia-
ment The resolution refers to the dScOntent
Of the COLONY nj the revenue acts, and the mea.
sures taken to enforce them. declares the estab-
lishment of standing army in the Colony in
time Of peace to be an invasion of the Colony,
and urges that this array Of military force I'M
der pretence OIL assisting the civil power, is un-
constitutional. What are We about to do? In
stead Of turning an ear to the circumstances
Ut Sou th Carolina. We are turning upon her
our cannon. Should we not first see whether
bv Justice tempered with spirit of Cancellation,
We can appease these unhappy discontents which
have so long prevailed.
Is it not wanton, when We have SO easy and
peaceful remedy at hand, to have recourse to
this bil-to the . Ultima rafio"-to the law Of
force.