Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-03-26
SPEECH OF Mr.. MCCARTHY,
TCoNcLuDEp.


deemed it necessary to discuss in detail, the
presented 10 Us. But can vote for none Of them
IN their present form. As the Legislature thought
proper to agitate this question. would have vot-
ed for any resolutions requesting South Carolina
to suspend her ordinance. And | would even
now, as much time as has been lost by this length
ened discussion. vote for any resolutions which
were strictly medstury in their characteristic
i-cannot consent to send to South Carolina any
of our political doctrines which are calculated to
encourage her in her unfortunate and delnsive
course. regard the 4th Resolution OF The douse
of Delegates. as particularly calculated to pro-
duce that effect. IL cannot therefore be expect.
ed that can give il ny sanction. That resolution
re.asserts The Resolutions Of '98 and the Report
of '99, as the true doctrines OF republican
ISM and as containing "a true Interpretation
of the Constitution OF the United States" L
cannot assent, Mr.. Chairman, to the truth OF
either of these assertions. But have said that
the re-assertion uf these doctrines, tor the pur-
pose of being sent to South Carolina, at this par
tjcular crisis was calculated to encourage her IN
her course of error. For IL will not and cannot
be denied, that s. e.. has based her nuilhcat0n
rpon the principles contained in the Resolutions
OF 'oS and the Report Of '99. The proceedings
of her Convention which reparted the Ordinance,
shew most conclus,ely, that those celebrated do.
cuments have formed the ground work oil her
notification. II. then, we shall, under oil these
circumstances, adapt them and send them to that
State .'as the true doctrines OF republitan'sm, ="
as containing - a true construction OF the Con-
sttu,ion, !" repeat. that they will encouraged her
TO adhere TO her notification, which IS but the
stepping stone to secession. They will 90 to her
accompanied by The able arguments which have
been made in our Legislature to prove that the
right of interpUsition" there claimed tor
the States, means notification. Mr.. Chairman,
the best reflections which have been enabled to
bestow upon these theories OF '9S and '99, have
convinced me, that whenever they reduced
to practice, thew will lead to notification, then to
secession; and secession is disuiion. Had be-
ieved otherwise, the logical and able argument
which We have lust heard from the Senator from
Powhatan would have convinced me, that the m.
terpostiou there recommended, would lead to
notification.
Sir, if it was the object of these celebrated
State papers to justify revolution, right which
is too sef.evident to require to be proved, then
the preparatory steps would be " intetPositou,"
or in uther words opposition, or nulidcatlon.-
For throughout the whole OF those documents,
the State is left the sole Judge Of the kind of Sin
terposition" to be employed to ''arrest," or to
stop the execution or progress OF any law oil Con-
sress which the State may think demonstrations
al. But. sir. will briefly examine the Rrsolu-
tons aud Report. which, taken together, form
an ingenious but deceptiv commentary upon the
CONSTITUTION of the United States.
The first Resolution is in these words, " Re
solved, That the General Assembly doth une.
quivoca,ly express firm resolution to MAINTAIN
aud defend the Constitution Of the United States,
and the Constitution Of this State, against every
aggression. either foreign OF domestic; and that
they will support the Government Of the United
States in all measures warranted by the former. :"
The objection to this resolution Is, that the &C.
neral Assembly is made the sole judge Of the
character Of the aggression" against which 1t
exprsssesits determination TO defend the Constr.
tuition. IL this - aggression" should be in the
shape Of a law OF Congress which the General
Assembly might think unconstitutional, then is
the defence to be made against that law. The
General Assembly avOws its determination. too,
"to support the Government Of the United
States in all measures warranted' by the Consti-
tution The inference here is, that it, in the OPT.
MON oG the General Assembly. the measure be
not warranted by the Constitution, then the Go.
yernment of the United States vii! not be sus.
tanned in it.
Or in other words. the measure will be resis.
ted. and the General Assembly is to be the sole
Judge, to pronounce upon ITS constltu tionality.
The second Resolution Is in these words. 10
wit: "fhe General Assembly most solemnly de
clares warm attachment to the union OF the
States, to maintain which, it pledges all its pow.
ers; and for this end it is their duty to watch
over, and oppose everv infraction Of those prin
cip'es, which constitute the only basis Of that
union, because faithful observance Of them can
alone secure it's existence aud the public
happiness" This Resolution makes it the duty
Of the General Assembly, to watch over and
oppose every infraciion Of those principles" SC.
The General Assembly is again to be the Judge
Of the q" infracton" which it IS in duty hound to
oppose" The particular character Of the op
position is not pointed out, but it is left to the
Discretion of the General Assembly.
In both of these Resolutions, the General As
sembly is the srbiter, and not the Federal Judic
AIRY, in any controversy that may arise upon any
measure Of the General Gov. rnCaent.