Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1833-04-05
A FELLow-CiTIZEN
"a rur rnIrnns ~ mun n.u

TO THE EDITORS OF THE ENQUIRER.
SIRs:-We live in times, when political questions ara
decided, not by the test of impartial inquiry, but BY an
appeal 10 the authority Of great names, and 10 the passions
OF the people. The late speech of MIR. William c. Rives
ia he Senate OF the United States, has been lauded TO the
skies, not so much on account OF its intrinsic merits, as be.
cause 1T is supposed to furnish a triumphant refItauon Of
Che doctrines of Modification and Secession. | willingly
pay Tie tribute oil respect to Mr.. Rives, as a gentleman
ahd man OF talents, and acknowledge his argument to be
Dou eloquent and ingenious; but, at the risk of being
thought Presumpuous, | shall venture to question some Of
ms propositions, which, IN my humble Judgment, are sub
verslve OF the rights OF the States, aud initiate directly
with the principles of that party, to which he Processes
10 belong. The doctrine OF Modification, as expounded
and prsctised by its advocates, l shall not attempt to vim
dictate; bat that Of Secession, as l understand il. is sun
ported by the ciearest reason, and can never be abandoned,
so long as the States have spirit or virtue enough to main
tain their reserved rights. So far as the reasoning of MI.
kiVes appears to operate against The latter doctrine. I pro.
pose TO anaiyze IT., with a view Of detecting the latent tai.
lacy, which has betrayed a gentleman of his sagacitv in.
TO the support of principles, so repugnant, as conceive.
to the tenor Of his former lie. Having read but lew Of
,he speeches and essays to which the late agitating crisis
mas gwen birth, may chance TO suggest ideas, which
nave Deen urged by others; but, i'm that event, their re-
petition may still be useful in dispelling some of the delu.
sions, which envelope the public mind.
MIR. Rives atirms that sovereignty is incident to The
power OF constitutional amendment, and, as that power in
our Federal system is vested in three fourths of the States,
ne concludes, that the sovereignty of that system must
reside in the same body. There are two modes Of amend.
ing The Federal Constitutions; one by the assent of three
Iour'hs OF the States in Convention, the other by the con-
currence oil two-ihiTds OF Congress, aud three lourths of
the state Legislatures. Will Mr.. Rives saw. that The
sovereignty of the Federal system belongs to three .rourths
OF the states, or TO Congress and three fourths of the
olate Legislatures, according as the one or the other
mOJc OF amendment should be adopted? Again-tbe
powers OF sovereignty are original and inherent. n
acknowledges no superior, and draws its authority from mn
other fountain, but lis own will. The very idea of de-.
uvaiive or delegated authority implies superiority i'm the
power, from which that authority is derived. or by whom
IT IS delegated. The power Of amendment il held nv thee
iourlhs OF the States, by virtue of the constitutional grant
OF me parties to the federal compact, and is, therefore, not
original and Inherent in them. II might have been CON
ierred on any department Of the government. II il were
gwen TO the federal judiciary, to Congress, or the Presi-
deht, would 1t be pretended, that The sovereignty of the
federal system thereby vested in either OF those depart.
mehts! This power OF amendment in three fourths of the
states - supposed by some, to supply a most conclusive ar.
guinent against the right OF secession. They argue. that
as the Constitution can only be amended by the concur.
renee OF three-iourths Of the States, a Eorfioyi il cannot
DC destroyed but by the ascent OF the same parties. and
consequently, that ono or moro States, less than that mum.
Der, cannot abrOgate IL by the exercise Of the right of &C..
eesslon. answer, first, that secession does not abrogate
the Constitutions; for, if rightful, the remaining States ina,
sun recognize its authority; il wrongful, il is still obligato
~ on the good faith Of the seeding State, and the otbel
states nave a right 10 enforce that obligation: secondly
tlat, " the power to determine what rights are reserved Il
the states under the Constitution, be conceded exclusive
" 10 the Federal Government, and, IL the right 10 renounc,
the compact when there has been a pofDabIs. detibsroIe
and dangerous i%nJroctOn Of those rights be denied them
a majority OF States, through the agency of the Federa
Government, would virtually possess the power Of aIterin,
the Constitution at their will and pleasure, either uode