Daily Richmond Whig & public advertiser. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1833-1840, 1833-04-04
THE RICHMOND WHIG.
AND
PUBLIC ADVERTISER.
SPEECH OF MIR. CALHOUN,

tcoScLupEp.
II now remains To consider the third and last
proposition contained in the resolution that il
IS b,nding aud subsistng compact between
the States. The Senator was not explicit on
this point. ! understood him, however, as as
serting that though formed by the States, the
Constitution was not binding between the States
as distinct communities, but between the Anne
rican People in the aggregate; who, in conse-
quence Of the adoption OF the Constitution, ac-
cording to the opinion Of the Senator. became
one People, nj least 10 the extent Of the delegat-
ed powers. This would indeed be great change
All acknowledge that previous TO the adoption
oil the Constitution, the Statss constituted dis
tinct and independent communities, in full pos
session OF their sovereignty; and, surely if the
adoption Of the Constitution was intended TO ef-
feet great and important change in their con-
dlton which the theory oil the Senator supposes,
some evidence of it ought TO be found in the
instrument itself, II processes to he n careful
and full enumeration Of all the powers which
The States delegated, and Of every modification
OF their political condition. The Senator said
that he looked TO the Constitution in order to
ascertain its real character; and surely he ought
TO look TO the same instrument in order to as
certain what changes were in fact made in the
political condition Of the States and the country.
But with the exception of swe the People Of the
United States" in the preamble, he has not
pointed out a single indication in the Constitu-
ton OF the great change which he conceives has
been effected in this respect.
Now, sir, | intend TO prove that the only ar
gument Of which the gentleman relies on this
point must utterly fail him. | do not intend to
60 into a critical examination Of the expression
OF the preamble TO which have referred. | d o
not deem il necessary; but were il. il might be
easily shown that il is al least as applicable TO
my view Of the Constitution as To that OF the
Senator; and that the whole of his argument on
this point rests on the ambiguity of the term
thirteen United States; which may mean certain
territorial limits, comprehending within them
the whole Of the States and Territories Of the
Union. In this sense the people Of the United
States may mean HH the people living within
these limits, without reference TO the States or
Territories in which they may reside, or of
which they may he citizens, and it is in this
sense only that the expression gives the least
countenance 10 the argument Of the Senator.
But il may also mean the States united which
inversion alone without further explanation re-
moves the ambiguity to which ] have referred.
The expression in this sense obviously means
no more than to speak Of the people of the seve-
raj States 10 their united and confederatcd capa-
city; and, If II were requisite, it might be shown
that it is only in this sense that the expression
Is used in the Constitution. But il is not neccs-
sary. A single argument will forever settle this
point. Whatever may he the true meaning OF
this expression, it is not applicable TO the condi-
ton Of the States as they exist under the Con-
stitution; but as il was under the old confedera-
tion, before It's adoption The Constitution had
not vel been adopted; and the States, in ordain-
ing il, could only speak of themselves in the
condition in which they then existed, and not in
that in which they would exist ultcr the Con-
stituton. So that, if the argument Of the Sena-
tor proves any thing, 1t proves, not as he sup
hat
People into an aggregate mass of individuals,
but that such was their political condition, before
its adoption under the old confederation, directly
contrary to his argument IN the previous part oi
this discussion.
But intend not 10 leave this important point,
the last refuge of those who advocate consoli-
dation, even OH this conclusive argument. have
shown that the Constitution affords not the least
evidence Of the mighty change of the political
condition Of the States and the country. which
the Senator supposed it operated, and / intend
now, by the most decisive proof, drawn from
the Constitutional instrument ITSELF to show that
no such change was intended and that the peo-
pie OF the States are united, under il, as States,
and not as individuals. On this point, there is a
very important part Of the Constitution entirely
aud strangely overlooked by the Senator in this
debate, as IL is expressed in the first resolution
which furnishes the conclusive evidence, not
Oulf vie Is Out Il
subsstng compact binding between the States.
| allude 10 the seventh article, which provides
that "the ratification of the Convention Of nine
States shall be sufficient for the establishment
OF this Constitution beirccI The States so ratify-
ing the same" Yes, beilDeen the States, "A lit
tie word means volume ompacts. not laws.
bird l,s;''"'en the States; and il here binds not
between individuals, but between The States
The States TGfify implying as strong rs Ian
"a al. 81. ~
i have asserted II TO be, compact, ratified by
the States, and a subsisting mpact binding the
States rahfying il.
But, sir, will not leave this point, nil impor-
tant, in establishing the true theory Of our Go.
vernment, on this argument alone, MS demon
stratiye and conclusive as ! hold il TO be. Ano.
Their, not much less powerful, but Of a different
character, may be drawn from the tenth amend
ed article, which provides that "the powers not
delegated 10 the United States by the Constitu-
ton, nor prohibited to it by the States; are re.
served 10 the States respectively or 10 the peo-
ple.n The article OF ratification which | have
Just cited informs us that The Constitution which
dele gates powers, was ratified By the States and
is binding between them. This informs us Ia
whom the powers are delegaled-a most impor-
tant fact in determining the point Immediately
at issue between the Senator and myself Ac-
cording 10 his views, the Constitution created a
uHloH btANfFu luulNluutitrf " tut holNGis0l may
be allowed, and that it formed, at least to the
extent Of the powers delegated, one people, and
Bota Federal Union OF the States, as contend
Or TO express the same idea differently, that the
delegation Of powers was 10 the American peo-
pie in the aggregate (for IL is only by such dele
cation that they could be made into one pcople)
and not to the United Sfdies; directly contrary
to the article just cited, which declares that the
powers are delegated 10 the United States. And
here il is worthy Of notice, that the Senator can.
not shelter hinselPunder the ambiguous phrase
ITO the people Of tie United States" undcI
which he would certainly have taken refuge
had the Constitution 50 expressed il but fortu
nately for The cause Of truth and for the grea
principles Of constitutional liberty for which
am contending, "people" is omitted, thus max
ing the delegation Of power clear and unequiyo
cal to the United States, as distinct politica
communities, and cOnelusively proving that all
she powers delegated, are reciprOcilly delegated
BY The States to each other, as di.tiset politics
communities.