Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-03-15


ting for It's fulhment aud continuance on no IN
aerent power Of its own, but the pligated faith
of each State; or, III other wurds, that our Union
is but league; aud. As Consequence from 'n's
they further affirm that, as so'er'
eigns are subject to no superior power. the STATES
must decide, each fnr itself, OF any alleged vio'
latlun supposed to have occurred, aud each may
adopt any mode or measure Of red ress which II
shall think proper.
Otner consequences naturally follow, too, from
the main proposition. II league between soVe.
reign Powers have no Limitation AZ to the time OF
its Duration, and contain nothing making It per
petual, 1t subsIsts only during the good pleasure
OF the parties. although violation be complained
of. Ii, in the opinion of either party. it be v'o-
lated, such party NAV say that he will no longer
fulfil its obligations on his part, but will consider
the whole league or compact at an end. alihoush
1t nigh, be one of its stipuiatlons that 1t should
be perpetual Upon this princlpe, the Congress
of the United States, 1898, declared null and
void the treaty Of alliance between the United
States and France, though it professtd to be
perpetual alliance.
Ii the yiplat,uu of the league be accompanied with
serious injuries, the suffering party, being sole
Judge of his own mode and measure Of redress,
Ina, a right to indemnify himself by reprIsaIs on
the offending members Ol the league; and reprisais
If the circumstances of the case require it, may
be followed by direct, avowed, and public war.
The necessary import Of the resolutions, there
fore, is, that the United States are connected
only by league; that II is in the good pleasure
of every State to decide how long she will choose
to remain a member Of this league; that any
State may determine the extent OF her own obi.
cations under it, and accept or reject what shall
be decided by the whole; that she may also de
termine whether her rights have been violated,
what is the exten, Of the injury done her, and
what mode and measure of redress her wrongs
may make 1t fl and eXpedIent tor her to adopt -
rhe result of the whole Is. that any State may
secede at pleasure; that any State may resist
law which she herself may choose to say exceeds
the power Of Congress: aud that, as sovereign
power. she may redress her own grievances,
Dy her own arm, at her own discretion; she
may make reprisaIs. she may cruise against the
property of other members Of the league: she
may authorize captures, and make open war.
Ii, SIR, this be our political condIt,n, It is
time the people OF the United s. atcs understood
it. Let Us look for moment to the practical
Consequences of these opinions. One State,
holding an embargo law unconstitutional, may
declare ntr oplnlun, and Withdraw from the Union
She secedes Another, forming and expressing
the sam" judgment on a law laying duties on I'm.
ports. may withdraw also She seccdrs And
as. 10 her opinion, money has been taken out OF
tie ppckrts Of her citizens illegally. under pre-.
rence ut this Jaw. and as she has power To re-
dress thcir wrongs, she may demand satisfaction;
and. Il refused, she NAV take II with strong
hand The gentleman has himself pronounced
the culeC tlun of duties, under existing laws, to
De nnh,ns but robbery Robbers, Of course,
may be rlgntsuv dlsposses,ed Of the fruits OF
IA. ltuu- crime; and, therefore, reprIsas. lmpo.
-itinns on the commerce of other States. foreign
alliances against them. ~ open war, are all
modes OF redress JusrIy open 10 the discretion
and choice Of South Carolina: f"r she is to Judge
Of her own rights, and TO seek satisfaction Tor her
own wrongs, IN her Own way.
Bat, sir. third State /, OF opinion, not only
that these laws OF impUst are constitutional, but
that il is the absolute duty of Congress to pass
and to maintain such laws; and that. by omit
ting to pass aud MAINTAIN them, Its constitutional
Obligations would b. sru-sl, dlsregarded. She
reinqalshed the power Of protection, she might
alIege truly, herself. aud gave II up to Congress,
on the faith that Congress would exercise It. Ii
Congress now refuse to exercseIt, Congress does,
as she may insist, break the CONDITION OF the
grant, aud thus manifestly violate the cor sntu.
ton; and for this violation Of the constitution.
she may threaten to secede also. Virginia may
secede and hold the Tor tresses 10 the Chesapeake.
The Western States may secede, aud take to
their ow n use the public lands louisiana may
secede, if she choosr, form foreign alliance,
and hold the mouth OF the Mississippi. II one
State NAV secrde. ten may do so-t"enty may
do so--twenty-three may do SO. Sir, as these
sccessions 90 on, one after another, what IS to
cons itute the United States7 Whose will be the
arm,l Whose the navy? Who will pay the
depis7 Who fulfil the public treatiesT Who
erform the constitutional guarantees Who go
vern this DIS rict and the Territories! Who
retain the pubic property?
Mr.. President, every man must see that these
are an questions winch can arise only after q re-
volafion. They presupp"se the breaking up Of
the Government. While the constitution lasts.
they arr reprcssed. T"y 'pr'ns up annoy and
starte US only from ITS grave.
The constitution doe> not provide for events
which must be preceded by its own destruction.
SECESSION, therefore. since it must bring