Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1836-03-17

mental reservation, that ne viii support
the constitution, unless he shall be com
manded by the constituent body TO violate
It 2 Surely, the General Assembly ia not
going to give its sanction to doctrines of
this kind, which would sap the foundations
of all public virtue. The truth is, that, in
all contests between those who exercise
authority and those over whom it is exer
cised, as TO the rightful exercise of such
aathority--as to the duty Of obedience, or
the right oil resistance both parties must
in the nature of things, judge for them
selves; and the only difference between
them IS, that the party resisting power,
reslsts at his peril which alone sulfices,
in general. TO determine him against re-
sistance, except 10 extreme cases To saw
that those who hold power have the sole
right to exercise judgement, and that those
over whom power is exercised have no
right TO judge for themselves whether they
are oppressed or not, were to affirm the
very doctrine of passive obedience and
non'reslstence maintained by the Univer-
sily OF Oxford in the reign Of James IL
The commands of the constituent Legis-
lature cannot justify, or even excuse. the
Senator. in palpable violation of the
constitution, or in an act Of moral turpi.
tude. The servant, nay even the slave,
is not bound to obey, aud more, is not
excusable for obeying the unlawful com
mands of his master.
Then, as to'the prudence ofresistance"
10 this case. All questions of resistance
TO authority present compound conside
ration OF right and eApediency. However
just and right resistance may be in itself,
yet 1t ought never to be resorted to unless
there be reasonable hope Of correcting
the mischief, and securing some good end,
nor ought any man, however strong his
sense Of wrong and injustice, TO involve
others with himself in hopeless, useless.
dangerous effort Of resistance. This last
objection to the course have resolved to
pursue have taken the most efftctnal
care 10 obviate. | have asked the ADVICE
oil no man. much as desired the advice
oil my friends, and willingly as | should
have sought it, if could have done so
without danger OF committing them, as
men OF honor, TO share my fate | have,
indeed, communicated my purpose to We
ry few, and TO them in the striclest conf
dence. | have held no correspondence
with any member of the Genera! Assembly
on this subject, since the commencement
OF ITS present session; and, in fact. have
written only one short note on a different
topic 10 enc oil them, lest correspondence
commenced on other subjects might lead
TO correspondence on this. This line Of
conduct had lis Inconvenience, to which
was not insensible but coald not de
part from it without abandoning the sys
| tenn of action had prescribed for myself
and involving others IN my difficulties
No man, for aught that | have done,
stands committed to share my fate for
ausht that have done 10 draw others In
my support, stand alone, sustained only
by the conscious virtue Of my motives and
purposes, and a confidence in my own
hrmness 20 meet, and ABIDE theie.
SUIT. trust am actuated by no false
PRIDE, and 10 yainSloious opinion of my
own Importance, QOF, if am. the fault is
not owing TO the want Of most careful
selt examination and scrutiny.) in thinking
and declaring my belief and humble hope
that the sacrifice am making Of myself,
OF al! prospects ofpoltIcal honors and dis.
tnctiUn 10 future, and even of the aiiec.
Tomato regards Of many whose esteem and
confidence have hitherto enjoyed, may
have some slight effect in saving the con
slitution of my country from violation sa
wing the Senate from subyersion, aud with
II saving the State sOvereigntes from utter
probation; and even placing The right Of
instruction itself upon the ou!y stable
grounds on which it can be rested, by SO
guarding it from abuse and misapplicatlon
That 1t may appear TO all mems minds an
agent OF good, worthy to be respected and
preserved; not an evil principle, 10 be es
chewed and rooted out
see, from the vote of the two Houses
OF the General Assembly on the second of
the resolutions transmitted to me, that
most OF my own friends approved the prin
cIpie therein declared, that it is the duty
oi the Senator to obey, implicitly obey,
the instruction Of the State Legislature, or
TO resign. All these will. of course, dis.
approve the resolution have taken this
is omlnous, probably decisive. of the des.
tiny that awaits me. In all likelihood, be
lore the heats that now inllame the public
mlnd shall be extinguished, shIil attain
TO an age which will render me unfit for
any active public service. have the clear
est perception of all these consequences.
But hope shall be pardoned for saving,
That cannot, and will not, DO what think
wrong IN principle, mischievous, and ia
tai IN Its effects, to comply with the wish.
es OF my friends, and 10 retain their ap.
probation and support, any more than 10
avert or escape from the rage OF my enc,
mics do not pretend 10 he insensible TO
popularity, especially to the favor OF my
native State: but. il know myself, nv
love Of popularity has its source rather in
my own attachment to the people than in
the hope or desire of any rewards they
can bestow; and | weuld not betray what
| think the interests oiVirginia 10 gain her
iavor, dear as II is to me. care for no
fame but that which have little prospect
OF ohtalnlng-the rcnown of good and use
ial deeds, which survives the author of
them