Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1833-03-22

1890 had conferred on Virginia and her distinguished
Statesmen, a renown so ~unfacing. She now refers to this
subject in no invidious spirit OF controversy, but when Vir.
GINA asserted In those memorable Resolutions OF her &C.
neral Assembly, " that she viewed the powers OF the Fe-
deral Government as resulting from the compact TO which
the States are parties, as limited by the plain sense and
intention Of the Instrument constituting that compact, as
no further valid than they are authorized by the grants
enumerated in that compact, and that in case of a delibe-
rate, palpable and dangerous exercise Of other powers, not
granted by the said compact, the States who are parties
thereto, have the right, and are in duty bound to interpose
Tor arresting the progress OF the evil, and for maintaining
within their respective limits, the authorities, rights and
liberties appertaining TO them" we conceived she has done
o %S more " less than announce 'ne remedy winch
.. Carolina has resorted to, through her State interposition.
IL IS moreover asserted in the report explanatory of those
resolutions, that this right is a constitutional, and not a re-
voiuuonary right, and by the whole contex OF the power
tui argument embraced. in that report, the right itself stands
forth as separate and independent OF the ordinary remedies
oil procuring a redress for the ordinary abuses of the Fee
derative Government.
When, therefore, the General Assembly Of Virginia, in
she recent resolutions borne by her Commissioner, which
your committee are now considering, declares "that she
does not regard the Resolutions OF 1898 and '99 as sane
ooning the proceedings of South Carolina, as indicated in
Gle Ordinance OF her Convention" with all proper defer
ence, ). Carolina must never heless adhere with an honest
and abiding confidence to her own construction. Ii is
within the providence OF God that great truths should be
independent OF the human agents that promulgate them.
once announced, they become the subjects aud property
OF reason, TO all men aud in all time TO come. Nor will s.
Carolina feel less confidence in the conservative character
Other remedy, which she believes to be in perfect harmo.
nywltha true exposition of the doctrines of the resolutions
oil l19S, by the recent testimony afforded OF its efficacy in
a PdCiuc accommodation oil the late controversy with the
Federal Government, although that government has at
tempted to destroy the authority and efficiency of this RENEE
ny, oy the contemporary passage OF an act perpetrating a
worse and more aggravated outrage on the Constitution,
which has again demanded the interposiion of this Con-
vention.
With this brief jus ihcation of the principles of s. Caro-.
lima, your committee take leave of the subject. assuring
the ancient and distinguished Commonwealth, whose mis-.
sion has been borne by her Commissioned, with an ablli-
~, temper and affection entirely corresponding with her
own dispositions, that in the st, uggles Tor liberty aud right
winch we apprehend from the antagonist principles now
ieariuIly at work, between those who supported a limited
ana economical system OF government, and those who ia
vor a consolidated and extravaganl one, which the States
10 a minority are destined TO wage, she will find in South
Carolina a faith al and devoted ally in accomplishing the
with Virginia, that consolidation aud disunion are euuiya-
lent evils, because she believes with their own Jefe rson.
mat consultations is the greatest OF all political curses to
which our iederative form of government can have any
possible tendency, she nevertheless atirms, and clIallen-
ges the production OF any event in her history to disprove
the declara ion, that she is devoted 10 the union OF these
States, on the very terms and conditions OF that compact
out OF which the Union had its origin, aud Tor these prin.
clPles she is prepared TO peril at all times aud under all
circumstances the lives and fortunes OF her people.
Your committee conclude by recommending the adop.
ton OF the following resolutions:
RESOLVED, That the President OF this Convention do COM
municate to the Governor oil Virginia, with a copy of this
Report aud these Resolutions, our distinguished sense of the
Assembly in rendering her mediation in the late controver-
sy between the General Government and the State OF :.
Carolina, with the assurance that her friendly councils
will at all times command our respectful consideration.
Resolved, That the President OF this Convention like
wise convey 10 the Governor OF Virginia, our high appre-
citation OF the able and conciliatory manner in which Mr..
Leigh has conducted his mission, during which he has
afforded the most gratifying satisfaction 10 all parties, in
sustaining towards us the kind aud iraternal relations of his
own State.