Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1833-02-07
NO. u.

gam the happy confidence which all heretOs
fore reposed an the permanently Of our ihstl.
buttons
The times are perilous, the question mo,
mentous. and looks far into the future, aud
on the wisdom OF your decision. so FAR as wa
are concerned, may probably depend the
peace, aud liberty and the happiness OF our
country
We have long regarded as the citadel Of
our liberty the sovereignty OF these states;
which could he inierposed to save suffering
and oppressed people from the unjust exact.
ions OF AN unconstitutional sci. which cannot
be law; aud the right OF each state, as SOW
erclgn party 10 the Compact, having no s,t-
perior, TO Judge Tor itself Of the inlrsciions Vt
the constitution, as well as the mode and
measure of redress.
Blu. irthe power lately seized upon by tho
federal government, and promulgated rs
rightfully belonging TO il, be permitted. seno.
toned OF sustained by the states of this con-
federaey. this commonwealth, upon which
depends our freedom and our existance as an
independent state. will be entomed in cems-
terry of republics, aud the win Of an irrespon-
sible majority, or the fiat Of the Presideht be-
comes the chatter OF our liberty. thus subsii.
toted for the constitution. These states then
become the vassals of despolic power. with
d right which despotisui cannot take from thu
vest msieiactor chained TO the floor Of tna
dungeon.
Many os the states ofthi cohfedcrsty, onls
by one. declared their independence Of Gresh
Britain. because they would no longer SUBJ
NIT to the illegal and unconstitutional exact
ions OF that country, and make commoDt
cause against her as a common enemy.
!, Willing 20 justify themselves TO the world,
their delegates in congress were afterwards in
structed as delegates OF the several powers
then associated FOR common defence, 10 sane.
ton Declarations Of independence by that
body This act, we are now told in terms
admitting oftoo little doubt, yielded up the.
sovereignty Of these States. which now COM
pose a "singlc ration"
| This doctrine, aud this claim to power, 10
an outrage upon our institutions, and the
bittetest satire upon the revolution: that the
very Declaration Of independence itself.
| which blazoned fourth odr liberty full TO gaze
! Of an adrnring world. as our fathers believed
should now be produced, as the bond whic II
binds their children as eiaves to y majority
! in Congress, and 10 President elected by 4
| college of electors representing that ma jority
! who are not, and cannpt be responsible to
| them, and over whose will there is no con-
! troll, are claims which cannot be admitted.
: Thus all the safe guafds OF liberty which
our fathers thought they had constructed with
so much prudence, wisdom and patriotism.
would be broken 10 pieces and dissolved by
this boundIess and inguphing claim to power.
which that Government has exhibited TO the
view OF astonished millions.
| Claim having been made to this unlimited
power for that Government. claim which
the patriot capnot contemplate without feel !.
ing an indignant horror rush upon his mind
lit becomes the part oil wisdom, prudently
TO take such measures as will ensure the
I speedy termination OF a pretcnsion fraught
ger of our liberty. Il
{ The call Of Of general convention Of
these states would afford . proper opportuni,
/ ty FOR them to pace such guards unon their
liberty, and such barriers TO the encroach,-
ments Df The federal government, as will put
TO rest forever the questions of disputed pow.
! ers-- the agitation OF which have, from time
to time, created much classification, and tE
| persisted in must, ut no distant day, terrfii-
nate in irreparable injury.
! At the moment when a sovereign state U,
this confederacy, exercising what she detfr !.
to be her right, has thrown herself upon lii Al
] sovereignty, and as much has undertaken &c
judge for herself Of the. infractions Or the
| compact, and Of the mode and measure OF
redress, we find the president ofthe Uni. ted
States, openly laying claim 10 THE gigs ntic
power, and charging state with trs ason
against the federal government, VIII ch he
claims to be sovereign, and carrying out the
principle. seems to endeavour 10 % axe tina
| impression that the rights Of the states ara
/ grants of powers Rom that government.
When we pursue this argument to lie final
result, we find ourselves enslaged by the de.
claration of our independence. with no lin j
10 the powers Of the new government but Il,
own will. and we have no right of reyol,,s;i,r
whist this government claims the anita yuu;s
right of snbdung US by sword If this dcc
trnc be true--onr fathers, intent upon aeon.
ring liberty for themselves and children
greatly erred in nor declaring themselye.
free and Independent of their declaration 81
independence
During the middle ages, the European
governments were little else than the m,,.
| ~ commands of feudat barops---the king or
great baron of all, relying upon BIZ. military
prowes., disdained TO hold his Bower =. thn
gift Of men, and claimed 10 rule by special
grant from Onnipotence. But this divine
| right of kings. was disputed by the barons Of
England a, Runncmede, and charter for
their liberty was rung from the king. This
was trney great victory over tyranny. and
believed to be discovery in government,
which, az future day, compelled tie exc.
crttve mr. ktarr Ia ~nuaank 49, ,.<<..-.I