Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1833-08-01

monts Of the Federal Government IL poip,.
ed out or suggested. Having affirmed the
right, each State Is left 10 its own mode of
asserting II in practice. Taking the terms of
the Resolutions in their utmost latitude. thew
authorize amy means Of resistance ,chaf,rsy.-
Such, however, Is clearly not their meaning.
very slight analysis will force upon us the
conviction that no mode Of resistance i, con.
templated, except such as will preserve m,
Union unimPaired, ,chiis Il ~H ,ijsefuaiiy pu,
dora the usurped po,esr. This is shown
i BY the profession Of " sincere aiIec ,ion'
Tor The people Of the other States; Of "anx-
ie'y Tor establishing aud perpetuatiDg the
union OF all;" and az "the most .crupulous e.
deity to the Constitution" II i, ,ipon The
strength Of these feelings, and with view TO
these objects, that the cooperation of the
other States is invited.
=. The interposition OF the States must he
IN such mode rs TO "arrest the progress of the
Grill"
). IL must ut the same time be such rs 10
maintain tcithin their respeefire limits, the a,.-
mOrfis', rights and liberties appertainiay 10
them"
4. u Is to be remarked, that we have here
distinct declaration that there il within the
Constitution Of the United States, some prin-
cipie, by which the encroachments and usur-
pations OF the Federal Government may be
resisted. I say tcif.in the Constitution. and
not extra-constitutional and revolutionary.
ana now, sir, will you he good enough to
tell me IN what manner that principle IS to
be applied' Permit me TO examine all the
modS' OF resistance which occur to my own
mind, and TO see which Of them Is within the
principles thus asserted
L. feution, remonstrance, protest.-It cam
not, think, be sincerely asserted, that these
are any means Of resistance at all IL is such
resistance as your slave may make, when
you chaStisc him for an imputed fault. III
all right Of farther resistance be disclaimed.
this Is an implied admission that the party
10 whom the appeal is addressed, NAV, If he
chooses, persevere in the wrong. Ia point
oil TACT, however, remonstrance and protest
are founded in tie idea that there is such
right oil farther resistance. Petition is a sim
pie appeal Tor mercy or forbearance; protest
and remonstrance, affirm a right, and threaten
the enforcement Of il. But they do not in
thtmssires enforce it, and therefore are not re-
sistance.
2. An appeal 10 arms.-This is utterly A.
gainst all notions of constitutional remedy.
Our Government is founded i'm free choice
and Is supported by public opinion alone
resort TO arms, therefore, would ut once
change the whole genius OF the Constitution.
a case might certainly arise, in which State
might rightfully resort to arms for the pur-
pose OF putting down or resisting the usurpa-
tons Of the Federal Government. Suppose
Tor instance, that the President should send
regiment Of his standing army, 20 turn our
Legislature out of doors, and pull down the
capitol, presume that Governor Floyd you'd
be clearly right in calling upon the militia
TO put every soldier Of them 20 the sword.
IL ihe ci'il authority should prove unable 10
- arrest the progress of the evilp Al ali
events, tho Legislature might authorize him
TO DO so. This, however, is an extreme case.
and such as could not have been ANTICIPATED
Tor The Government could not exist a day.
with an administration capable Of such an
outrage. An actual appeal to arms, there
lore, Is not To be thought Of, rs among the
modes of resistance.
s. repeal Of the unconstitutional law by
Congress. This, ] perceive, is one of the
Presidents modes, but unfortunately. he Is
not very apt 10 discern the principles which
his measures involve. This would. indeed
be complete remedy for the evil. and an
ample redress of the wrong. You know
however, sir, that although YOU NAV "caIl
spirits from the vastly deep" II is not certain
that they will " come when you do ALI them
IL Is not likely that the uSurper will either
acknowledge his usurPation, or lay down his
usurped power. You must remember too.
that the usurper in the present case is a ma
joTiiy ~ uie people, UsuTping upon me rights Of
NE minority; and ihe history of the tariff laws,
ought to convince YOU how uBapt such usur-
pers are To- give way. This remedy, there
fore, would be Of little value in practice
Besides, II IS IN principle, simple appeal %
me pTong door, and -, therefore, no more a
mode OF resistance, than the right Of petit
tion. Every thing Is left ut last, 10 the will
aud discretion Of the usurping power.
=. An amendment Of the constitution. I
certainly should not have mentioned this n a
means Of resistance, II IL had not been men
toned by the President, ne one Of the modes
IN which the aggrieved States or people.
might seek redress. No man, but one of hi,
peculiar intellect, would ever think oC an
1mtndIt,ni Of hs CORdiiufiOn, as a means Of
resisting breach 81 that instrument II - not
the object 10 amend the Constitution. but 10
pTesTre u, uni@pairsd as u. I hope that
The Presidents future labors, in the stud, of
ihe Constitution, may show him this dlstinc-
lion.
s. Secession, or a Withdrawal from the l.
nion 10y the aggrieyed State. This. sir. ;,
your iasOTitc mode, and a. Tor a. can per.
,eNe, your only mode. e resisting the usur-
President, however, 81 the plcnhude ~ his
nerciiul consideration 81 state Rights, does /
lot even allow them this hun BILE refuge from
oppression. Let a. now SEQ how you viii
AIRY out this mode Of resistance, Consistent
> with tic resolutions Of i5g-
In The hrst place, State which withdraws
rom the Union, brraks tho Union. This y
rue, sr - isrmiHi, ard therefore, need no,
'e proved. But I have already shown that
he resolutions 81 1913, proceed upon the .
dea, that the Union Is 60 b. ptsssrred: and
indeed, that Is the main object " resistance.
= therein contemplated. IN this respect, I
herefore, secession j. not a means % ress.
ance, within those resolutions
In the second place, the resistance therein /
contemplated, must be such a. will "Brssi tie I
'rogrsu II fhs srd" Wall you b. 50 Oblieins
u % tell me, ar. how q usurped power can 4
e rfasisd, BY giriHE ray 10 a. In one way. i
indeed, Tie ortl may be arrested BY secession
be usurped power may be- rendered nugsfory. /
y Withdrawing from its reach, all the Sob .