Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1833-01-29


revolution which would change the whole character OF
our institutions In moving 10 postpone the consideration
sumed his seat he should DO Il without reference the
hrst February. impossible that therc could be
any definite action the bill by that time. He depre-
Gated references, the only effect Of which weuld be
keep up an excitement which il would be wiser aliay
lie did not refer TO the fret Of February he be-
neved that there existed any ground Of apprehension
when he proposed more distant day, II solely with
reference TO the convenience OF this branch OF the Gov
ernmen and of the House, in order that they might
have sufficient time Tor elaboration upon subject which
touched the very hearts OF our insutions.No
could look at this bill without discovering that il revived
all the distinguishing characteristics OF the old parties
besides taking in its sweep much, in his opinion that
odous and wlel.y unknown either of the old parties
IL carried their full extent the principles of one OF
those parties with alarming aud startling dddendd; and
came in conflict against all the principles OF the other II
touched the fundamental character of our institutions and
on the discussion and decision which would ensue, he
conscenousy beleved-and he would be constrained so
to declare, were they the last words he should ever ut
terwoud materially depend the continuance of our adj
mraoe institutions, In that wholesome, but restricted vi
gor mat would perpctuate well regulated liberty. He
concluded with moving TO postpone the bill till Monday
week
| Mr. Grundy said he hoped the Senate would no, con-
cur IN tins motion The gentleman on his right (Mr.
M1ngum) who was a member of ths Judiciary Commit.
Tee had said that Il would be at discovered on read
ing the 0 that we were about TO change the whole cha
racter Of our institution That the opinion this
gentleman; and no had doubt that by Thursday next
ne would be furnished with the arguments he could
aduucc 10 sustain that opinion. But there were others
who held wholly different opinions, aud who beIiey
at there was nothing in this bill which not neces
say TO enable the Government TO sustain itself from ruin
lie would not go into any debate upon the bill at this
hne Why should the bill be poncd TO Monday
week There was no doubt that the day which il
was taken up would be consumed by the Committee in
giving their explanation OF their reasons for repornr the
ON, anu en gentlemen should not be ready proceed
WIN the subject, the discussion could be postponed.
lie would make frank acknow ledgment of his own
feelings lie hoped his fear, were unioInied but he
had Tears as TO the issue of the in South Caro-
lna aud it any thing dsasou. should occur ficr the
tO tal nj
contributed any share in the production OF such evils by
having given his sanction 10 delay As far az one vote
would 60, he would at least endeayor 10 nrevrn, INV
collision.
Mr. Miller, after remarks inaudble in the gallery.
sa' mat he did not perceive how the measures proposed
oy ue senator from Tennessee, to be ACCOMPLISHED
by the passage OF the bill under consideration The FIRST
oil February he said had been referred TO by that Senator
as day likely to produce evil 10 the coun,rv and
had been consequently urged that this BILL OF something
.illdr 10 II IN substance, necessary to prevent
put sad MIR NJ the first of February will be here be-
lore that bill can possibly pass, aud ii the Senator from
tennessee Is disposed he alleges Cancellation he
can easily avoid the evils he 80 much eprccac. bv ro
peal or modification OF the tariff laws Sir said Mr. NJ
any modification will be, ipso aco repeal of the Ordi
nance OF South Carolina, aud the her Legislature
passed III consequence OF ~ and require proce edngs
on the part oil the State The Senator from Tennessee an
prehends continued Mr.. M, some ideal danger. nm ia,
lay mentioned, aud how docs he propose TO avoid them
why by putting at the disposal of the Executive tho
whole physical force OF the United States Not for the
purpose oil putting down any unlawful acts of the people
cut or the purpose OF putting down the rirhtI act of
sovereign independent member o confederacv
ms SIR SAID Mr. Nj lis To be the grand paiacea by which
The gentleman from Tennessee TO cure the evils
lie so much apprehends the first of February next
Ana what were they There was nothing i'm South "a
roina that had not in MANY other instances in
other parts of the Union. There had been nothing ons NV
SCUM carolina That he or any other individual had not
right TO do ). Carolina had said that the tariff law, ,ycr
unconstitutional, and that she would not obey them s
Mr.. NJ, have right TO do the same, when believe Law
" DC suo'ersive oil my rights, aud in violation the Con-
suuiIoh AND VIII gentlemen, said he, in this last case
vote Tor bill to arm the President with the whole force OF
the country TO make war upon If deny the action
oil the Government according my construction If the
Oosutuuon aud take my gun in hand my battle
aud DEFY the officers OF the United States do Al Al D,y
own peril twill be for the civil authority, not the mill.
tary, 10 decide the question South Carolina has as vet
not donS that much, and yet gentlemen in anticipation of
such an event, ae about TO make upon her Let the
gentleman from Tennessee procure repeal or moIifca-
ton OF the tariff laws, and that will do to cure the
evil lac breads, than the panacea he slightly recon- ends
Mr. NJ said lie did not rise to into the merits of the
bill before the Senate, but TO express his asons
ment that the Senator from Tennessee should suppose that
this bill could accomplish the object lie had in view He
was not then prepared to how far South Carolina would
be satisfied by modification OF the tariff; that was not the
subject under discussion; but this much he would saw that
the measure proposed by the Judiciary Committee and
commended by the Senator from Tennessee could be pro
duciive oil no good. lie had always understood that the
Constitution placed the civil above the military power
Pass this BILL sir said Mr. NJ authorizing the President
he cannot act by the ordinary tribunals to act with am
armed force, and you put the military above the
civil power This then, is the way in the opinion of the
Senior from Tennessee, TO obvatc the difficulties by which
we are threatened. Sir said Mr. NJ the only way is TO
aoate the nance-to repeal the unjust and unconstitu-
ona legislation by which oppressed aud this will
superscde any use OF State authority
There was thing, Mr. Nj. said, he would advert TO
while he was up. lie had among the docume ns &C
comPanying the Presidents message, one that was de-
scbed as test oath act lie surprised at this as he
knew that no act, bearing that title had been passed bv
The Legislature oil s. Carolina and he graied TO see
among The papers in the message to-day authentic
Ply OF tho act referred TO, whose title is different from that
described IN the former message, and forms part Of the
documents printed herewith What was the character of
that act might he from certified copy now ON the
| files OF the Senate Ii ibis
The people OF South Carolina in their highest sovereign
Character, had passed ordinance declaring that every
oicer OF the Stale shall respect his constitution
aud laws aud the act referred passed in
OF the high authority thus given. In case said Mr.
NJ could it be considered test oath act II was not in
tended for every citizen OF the State those citizens
who held offices under IT, The State simply reoued all
the agents in her pay take support her laws
and, sir said Mr. NJ II they have right TO pass law
to make their own officers and agens obey them would
not give brass farhing for State rights. This sir said
Mr. NJ is the of the act and vet il called bvth
President test oath act. Was this oath more test than that
taken by Senator al the Sccretarys table or
TALLY different from that taken by the officers of the
mentf We swear osuppor the constitution oflhe States
and yet this Is not considered oath What course
asked MIR. NJ, does the General Government nursuc
when its officers refuse neglect to obey its mandates
The moment, sold Mr. NJ that an United States officer
refuses TO obey the will OF the Executive he dismissed
from Office without ceremony; with without having Ia
ken an oath There was no prescription, Mr. NJ. added
III the act OF South Carolina. The ordnance added MIR
NJ, passed by the people Of the States in their high
est sovereign capacity, part Of the constitution OF
the State, and every when he takes office under the
State, is nguly required 20 that he will support
her constitution; and when the ordinance itself came be
lore the Senate Mr. NJ. said he would be prepared ia