Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-06-12

lima now boast that they have triumphed, that
thew have compelled the General Government
to WELD; and they have in TACT soefaf prevailed,
as to induce, If not compel that Government
essentially to alter her Tariff policy. (which was
otherwise not to have been altefed for years,) to
meet the views Of South Carolina, or compr0'
mise with her the matters in dispute r.
To which now will it be said, does the current
of our affairs, carry our vessel OF State; TO ,ae
Scylla Of Dissolution, or Charybdis OF Consol'-
dations Undoubtedly to the former.
These are the considerations which have always
made me FedeFalst, and must continue 80 "
operate, Just in proportion as ! am ae'o.eu
to the preservation Of our Republican insitu'
ito rs. If a Government is to be preserve" oy
checks and balances, what dangerous ms
take it must be, to take from that part "hieh Is
already too light, to add to that which now pre-
nonderates. And is not this what Is now at
tempted By those who contend so warmly, LOT
what - denominated State Rights! wish 10
sneak of those gentlemen with the greatest res,
meet. many Of whom possess my high regard anu
esteem; bat surely they will admit, that "itn
such impressions and presuasions as these'
could not, as true friend to the liberties OF my
country. (which take the liberty OF saying
aIways have been most sincerely, be any thing
That am conscientious in this, will also be ad-
m,ttel. when it is known that have always
ayowed. maintained, and defended these opin.
ions. by which | could not profit personally
being in that minority of the State which has
been a, all times excluded from public favor.-
And it might be thought TO require some i"!u'
tude to brave the opprobrium and reproach when
have become habitua with some, to connect
with the name of Federalist. But. for my part
I have always utterly disregarded that oppr"'
brium. am wiling that it shall be engraVen
ON nv tomb stone, if should have one, that
was such FEEDER alist-iOr q future historian
NAV vet say, that the liberties OF this country
were lost by abandoning those very Pr'nc'pies
comprvhended within that term, or that they
were saved BY an adherence to them.
But with due Difference to them, think my OPP
moments refute themselves. They contend that the
tendency of the Government of the United States
is to Consolidation that is, to the engu phns or
swallowing up of the powers reserved to the States
by the General Government That was the objec.
ton they had to the Federal Constitution from
the first. But how can that be, If according to
that Constitution, as they now contend, each
State has right to secede from the Union when
she pleases, and for what cause she pleases! Can
the General Government swallow up the State
Governments when they possess such powers OF
resistance as this! Impossible. -ln this. then,
our opponents are inconsistent, aud where there
is inconsistency there is error. believe their
whole system to be erroneous, aud OF highly
dangerous tendency-that it leads to anarchy,
and of course, to despotism as late events In our
country have shewn. Yet. from the moral worth
of many of them it would give me great plea
sure to act in concert with them, 1t could do 1t
from conviction. And If could believe that the
danger was Oh the other side, as they do, would
be as heartily opposed to the doctrines have EN-
braced, as they are. But they must afford me
better evidence first Instead Of that, the evil
dence is every day strengthening against them.
more and more, if | am not mistaken. l leave
the Proclamation to abfer hands to viudica.e it..
This has been SO completely done, even by those
who were of the party called the republicans, as
10 leave the most important points presented by
it. no longer debateable. 1t is not pleasant to
me to appear before the public, and | hope
| shall be excused for the intrusion. as Halter
myself it will be the last time. Indeed thought
had finally withdrawn-but when the politica ]
sentiments which have ever entertained. and
which hope to carry to the grave with me.
we're incidentally, though unintentionally. made
a criterion Of dlsparagetnent, thought it right
70 give a reason of the hope that is within me.
and assert those principles OH witch only think
the liberties Of my country can remain Perma-
nent and fixed.