Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-03-23


laws of the United States, they may be made
to enforce any other act which Congress sha''
think proper to pass. No matter how opP'ess'
i've, how clearly unconstitutional, mere Is no
mower in the constituted authorities OF the STATE
TO resist it. II any one class OF cases may DC re-
moved from the Jurisdiction OF the STATE courts,
any other class, subject "nly to the d'seret'oh OF
Congress, may be likewise removed. II the pro-
cess of the courts lie void, and the othcer exc
cutting it, and those acting under his direcuoh'
responsible cvily punishable crimihaiiy. tne
Judge who directed the process must De answer
able IN like manner He was really without au'
thority, and having commanded the act Is par
taker of the guilt. The Legislature who COM
manded the act of the Judge, and the ConVen'
ton of the people, III obedience to whose man
date every thing was done, must nave 'he same
narticipaiou. II the sheriff and his posse. OBJ
structlng the execution OF the Revenue laws, may
constitute that unlawful combination and Assem-
blaze. on being notified of which. the President
is authorised to use the military force OF the u.
States to disDerse them. then the Courts. the Lee
pi,Iature, or the Convention, in obedience TO
whose authority alone the Sheriff acts, and who
are the efficient causes OF the obstruction, are
assemblaecs Of similar character, and may be
dispers- d by military force. The whole purpose
, of the act is to coniound the acts OF the consu-
tued authorizes of the State, however solemn aud
we'll considered. with the lawless and irregular
acts of individuals or mobs. The certain effect
of it must be, to restrain the States from the ex-
ercise of any other authority than such as Con.
gres., or the sectional majority represented IN
Congress. shall think fit to permit them to exer-
else, and to ensure the enforcement OF every law
which that majority may think proper to enact.
1t involves the cruelty and absurdity of making
the community responsible to hostile force Tor
its acts as community. and the individuals %!
/ the community punishable for their acts IN ODE
dience to the laws of their Government; an ODE
dience from which they cannot exempt them.
selves. unless they absolve themselves, from their
| allegiance By self Punishment.
Tha, the obicc, of many Of the politicians who
supported this blII-the politicians OF the maj"rl-
ty IN whose hands all power will be-lStn es'ab-
lsh a consolidated government. is now hardly
or at all disguised The chimera OF govern
ment parity consolidated, partly federatlve, Is
now scarcely commended for The same class OF
politicians have ALWAYS had in view the same OBJ
Jet. Ii was attempted TO be effected III the
Convention which framed the Constitution OF
the United States. The attempt was there fol
led. After the formation of the government.
these who atf'c cunsnlidl tou, assumed the
term Federal,'' aud denied that the Ohlnion,
held bv them led to that result. Tic poses
sion Of power. however, developed th"ir views.
and the first marked indication of their di'pn
sitlon to ensro-s the powers Of he States aru
: NEEDLE ", 18th their internal concerns, whs aloe
ded 5y the alien and edition laws II is attempt
was strongly rejukrd by puDlc op'ainn, whch
| led to the changr OF administration IN $500.
that the hopes al CONSOLIDATE N seemed abandon.
Ell forever. They remained dormant. until re
,ived by the ag'a;i'ns -p''"eHng out "l cur late
projecting system. II was perceived tina, nolhI'
les, strurg than ii consolidated government CCuic
sustain tnat .ystem al inlquit, Gradually we hsv
been tald that the State. nave parted with poI
nor of their sovereignty: then. that they were ne
yer er"lgu; until ar.ength, avalling themselves
of ne excitement OF particular Crisis, and pas
SION for power. and The influence OF an indIyldu.
al, the act before us ha. been passed. sweeping
awav every vestige of Stale sovereignty and re-
spr> I'd rights, Or causlns Them 70 b" held at the
mercy of the majority, compared to which the
| alien and ,edInn Law sink INTO measures harm
less and Ih,lsnf' ant.
Aud MIA is It to the Southern States. to be
subject 10 consolidated government! These
States constitute a minority, and are likely to be-
so forever. Tnev diff, IN in-uutions and
modes of industry. frou the States OF the major
| lty, and hove ulntIPDt auu vi suWt uegItt
Incompatible interests. l. IS to be governed,
not with reference TO their own interests or accor.
ding to their owe habit, and feelings, but with
reference to the interests and according TO the
prejudices of their rulers. the ma j"rity. 1t has
been truly said that the protecting system con-
| ,ututes but small part Of our controversy with
| The Federal government Unless we can Ob
tain the recognition of some rffectuai constitu.
t,onai check 90 the usurpaton Of power, which
can only be derived from the sovereignty Of the
States, and their right to Interpose for the pre-
ser,aton of their reserved powers, we shall ex
perience oppression more cruel and revolving
| ;han this.
| While there remains within the States any spirit
Of liberty, prompting them I" repe'Federal u>urpa'
| lions. one Of the most obvious means TO break
that spirit and reduce the States 10 subjecion.
will be that which has been attempted by The Act
before US. twill BIZ to create, or to sustain by
the patronage of government or other means,
party within the Safe, devoted TO Federal pow
| ~.