Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1833-03-07

due That there direct relation Of allegiance between
the United States and the citizens Of this country far
the objects Of the Union concerned is sufficiently
manifested, not only by what is ntrinsicay implied
the term citizen OF the United States, which is IRE
queny used in the constitution but by the fact that the
constitution provides for the punishment OF "Tredson
against the United States Treason is essentially the
breach OF the allegiance due the sovereign power against
which is committed There IT, then, direct allie glance
due from the people Of this country the United States
citizens OF the United States the OF the
cgnty which, Tor special purposes resides in the Union
We at the time. citizens OF respective States
and such allegiance, each his own State to
Tie hi extent oil the sovereignty abiding in the States
sevcray To each power allegiance, within the
limits oil their respective sovcreignie neither beyond.
But. sir Is said that allegiance and proe con
cproca ond that as our protection in all the inter
eslng relations Of life is derived from our respective
States. to them our allegiance is exclusively due IL has
been conended tina, we derive pro,ecto from the U.
States, except when the ocean, or in foreign
countries, be- ond the limits OF the States II this were
so, sill 1t would be something that efficiently pro-
eced by the strong of the Union, where the States
powerles TO protect But, sir, that we re-
ceve protection from the United States while we re-
main within the limits of the country? Do not the U.
States, on the contrary, protect against the sbi-
rary and unjust Legislation Of States in decar-
ing as the Constitution declares that "no State shall
pass any bill oi attander post acto law, i'm.
pairing the obligation Of contracts! il not the United
States which, through the medium of the Judicial power
secures to US an impartial administration of Justice in all
controversies with citizens Of other States foreigners
il not the United States again which secures 10 us the
privileges and immuntes of citizens in the other States
what powcrls II that protects the of
most incstimabe political rghts,-which guarantees TO
Us The blessings of "rcpublcan form of -
which defends us against the Of domestic vio
lence" and faction well as the calanics Of hostile 'sn
vasion? L. il this despised United S,ates9 Sir
wherever are at home abroad, OH the bosom of
the ocean, or by the tranquil hresde, whether danger
threaten in civil, POLITICAL international eia
tons, the broaI Igs of the Union is covers
MS with its ample protection Let il not he said then
ma, we derive no protection from the United States
which might merit small return Of allie glance
Sir, proud as am of the title Of citizen Of Virginia
graf iu as am teT the unmerited favor which that
orcd mother has shown yet feel with the ther Of
the country that ''the Just pride o ma rio ism s x,led
by the more comprehensive title o. citizen of the United
S'stes-ihat title which gives a share in the common
inheritance oil glory which has de-cc from cur
revolutionary patriots and heroes tile VIII ch
enabes 10 claim the OF the Ruedges the Pinc
neys anil The Supters OF South Carolina Fsncocks
the Adamses and the Otses OF Massachusetts, and all the
other proud names which have illustrated the annals Of
each and all OF these States compdtrot 10Th ,u oicn
have thus, Mr. President, reviewed the
encts oil that school Of constitutional law which has
sprung up within the last four FIVE evenfu wears of
our political history. have cndeavored to show that
they have no foundation whatever Just view of the
consiituon-that they directly war with the con-
temporary understanding and exposons of its founders
and that they derive no counenance whatever from the
principles OF That genuine republican school, which
bished the constitution in its purity after the temporary
perversions 10 which il had been subjected These mo.
dern doctrines, do firmly believe are i'm their tendency
utterly subvesive OF that happy system Of government
the preservation of which is only the sole security for
liberty with u.s. but the last hope of freedom hrou ghou
have iaIen into warmer tone Of discussion my
habit, II will be attributed trust TO its true cause and
not TO any want of proper respect kind feeling towards
the members, one and all of this body.
Sir we live in times when it is a solemn duty which
every man owes his country speak his opinions without
disguise or equvoca,On, the risk OF giving offence
to some OF those whom would he his greatest pleasure
as well highest ambition TO content i'm all thnps
have been already admonished, sir that sword hi,
moment suspended my head which may descend and
sever the worthless thread Of my political existence
the act OF public duty am performing. Sir if il
should he so. shall have at consolation the con-
seriousness of having fallen in the defence the Cons,u
ton oil my country, and OF that liberty whch is indissou
, bly, connected with it,
Sir, take leave say that there bre ahes not The mar
WHO'S mere devoted than am The maintenance of The
just rights Of the States 1t is in that faith that wa
w. %1 " n s.e ans s9S continue nj to the last
der distinct and organized forms Of action and the is
rI:'oh OF power Established between them and the au
tnorhes CT the Union, that system possesses guaan
tees and advantages unknown any other hch ever ex
ls'ed Sir the gentlemen who have claimed TO he III,
special champions of State rights here appear TO have
huch more limited idea OF tho rights Than have The,
speak oil state right" as il hey consisted exclusively il
ine righ oil opposing acs of the general government
nut SIR, recording TO my no ion Of them they conpre
mend all lights of political power whatever delegated
70 me United States all such being expressly b,
the Constitution TO the speclive States.
But is asked, where is the security for these rights
III tue rSt place, the Constitution evidently intended Il
provide III the organization of the General Government
ITSELF important securities against encroachments ON IN,
reserved powers of the States This body itself repre-
senng as ii does The States in their cocqnal and sove
reign characters, especially intended TO guard tho
rights OF the States against invasion from the federal auho
my Elected as It's members are by the legislatures
The States, and responsible them could not he oub
ed that they would be animated with a waichfuI and
Jealous sensibility TO the rights Of their constituents
One nan oil the States represented in this body hoo
embracing as might well happen but one fourth part o
the people OF the United States have in their I,
arrest any legislative measure, which should seem Il
tlem 10 infringe upon their reserved powers Here
men, we have not only security for the rights bt
States, but, efficient check he domination of thai
numerical majority which has OF late been so reouently
heIu up 10 the Jealousy and denunciaon the States
The President, also, is elected by the States in their
political capacities the allotted TO each State being
IN compound ratio, which considers them partly az dis
unct and equal societies. partly UNEQUAL me mber
OF the same society," Being thus chosen by the States
he cannot be supposed 10 be Indifferent TO their rights
and the Constitution has armed him with pef0 which
the last four years, has shewn may be eectuay welded
for their defence.
But II all the branches of the Federal LcpisIaure fine
President Senate and House Of Representatives should
concur IN the passage OF unconstitutional measure
there still another within the pale of the Gene
raj Government itself The Judiciary holding their off
ces by an Independent tenure and 10 support the
Constitution, may declare such of the legislative
authority null and void and refuse to carry IL into execu
ton Whatever leaning the Courts Of the United State.
may be supposed TO have in favor Of Federal authority
examples are not wanting, few of their having
pronounced against the validity Of acts of Congress on
the ground OF their unconsiiuonay; nor is il TO be
doubted that they will continue do So whenever the
and conscientious exercise Of their judgments
shdll require OF them such act of duty
~ all these securities, provided in the organization oil
the General Government ITSELF should fail, il would then
be the right, the duty OF the States TO nerpoe Their
conservative Influence. Though the Federal Judiciary