Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1833-01-24

banded. and the public debt nearly extingui,h-
cd; legislation, Of doubtful authority, aud of
equally doubtful utility, has been arrested BY
the salutary exercise Of high constitutional
Prerogatise. So far rs depended ON the exc.
tive department, all that prudence required
or wisdom could suggest, has been dorc. &C.
remove the causes of local excitement and 10
inspire general content; and system Of mca-
surcs suited Ia our local condition, and con-
genial TO the principles Of our political instr
tuticns, has been fearlessly recommended TO
Congress for their adoption. u such an adj
minIstration had not secured 10 itself the con-
hnuance of the public confidence, fears might
well have been entertained for the stability Of
republican governments. Sustained rs il has
sce-' asaisst n combination OF interests. the
{ oaiiiion OF hostile parties, the use Of extra
os"NarH me ans, and violent efforts, the auspi-
ci"u> result OF the late contest NAV Justly be
REGARDED as a triumphant rcfutation OF the
faliacy, that the people are unworthy of be-
ms trusted with the unlimited control OF their
political affairs, and an unanswerabic argu-
'nent ia favor of a free government, confided
IN the guardianship Of intelligent and yirtu-
Gus citizens.
perform an unpleasant duty in LAYING be-
fore you, at the request of the Governor of
South Carolina, the proceedings Of a recent
convention Of the people of that State. In
expressing my unequivocal disapprobation of
those proceedings, and my deep regret that n
state which IN all past time has nobly per-
formed her duty 10 the confcderacy Of which
she Is member, should thus attempt 10 cx-
oncratc her citizens from the operation Of
the laws Of the United States,l am persuaded
mat do but speak the universal sentiment of
The people Of this State. For the first time
IN the history Of this Republic, a claim has
been set up, on the justly cherished ground
OF States rights, which, il well founded, be-
longs equally TO all members OF tho Union.
but which is repudiated by all, and by none
more earnestly than by those members who.
IN respect 10 the evils complained of, and for
the redress of which the claim in question
has been asserted, stand in precisely tho same
situation with the State Of South Carolina
whatever, therefore. may be the nature and
extent OF the alleged grievances, do not 70
Too lar, trust, In assuming that the remedy
lo which our fellow citizens OF South Carroll
na nave resorted, aud on the strength Of which
they are apparently preparing for themselves
The fearful of all respons Utilities, is not mere
~ Unauthorized by the Constitution of the
in'ied States, but fatally repugnant TO all
The objects for which il W as framed. Let the
doctrine be once established, and the union
oil the States IS destroyed forever
From state of things So novel IN IFS char
acter, and so ruinous in its tendencies, duties
OF Tue highest Importance, increasing in inter
est and deilcacy, according to the course of
e'ch's, may devolve on US as one of the MEM
bers oil sacred union of the States. What
ever embarrassmcnts may arise, I feel conf
dent that the people and government Of this
State will support the Executive Of the Uni
ted States in all measures which are proper
and may be necessary for the prcse ~ alton Of
7 M ...I e., al.
/ laws, and will faithfully perform all their d,
ties resulting from our national compact.
/ But should be unmindful Of the lust and
generous character of our constituents. if i'm
expressing what believe 10 be their seuti-
menis, did not at the same time disclaim for
New York all desire TO aggrandize herself n,
ire expense oil her sister States, or to peryerf
To local purposes system Of government in
tended for the common benefit Of all. She
cberishes the union Of the States. She knows
what 1t cost She estimates, as highly As
any other member, IFS value, both on account
OF the benefits il confcrs and the evil, il n
Ncrts and II is not 10 be doubted, that she
would make any sacrifice which would be
considered reasonable to preserve IT, Though
ITS destruction would moi certainly be more
calamtous To her than 10 others, vet none
would adhere To IL longer or exceed her In
great and generous efforts - sustain il With
out It she might be prosperous; but her high
est prosperity would be embitlored by regret.
on account Of the blessings lost 10 herself. her
ssociates, and the world With il, there is
no policy that would be long pursued hy a
people so virtuous aud enlightcd as ihoss a
the United States, under which she could fa,l
to be an important and GourishinZ common
wealth. II, therefore, the operation Of ex-
isting laws he adverse to these views, am
persuaded New York vii. consent 20 such a
modification Of them AZ will remove all un-
just ground Of complaint, and afford substan.
tial relief to every real grievance
The duty of deciding upon these points is
Committed, 50 far as our state has a voice m
We DISCUSSION, 10 tsose who represent Us in
'hc 'ongres, of the United states. 70 the
wisdom aud patriotism of that body, 10 the
lrmnts and weIl-tricd virtue Of tie Pr,.l-
dent, and 20 the grac ious care Of a beneGceti
Providence, We may confidently commit The
issue Of the deeply interesting question. pre-
scented BY the unprecedented state VI the
country"