Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1838-05-22


power Of this government. Nothing m
the world, but the decision ofthe Supreme
Court, that the power Of Congress to re-
gulate commerce was paramount; that it
oyerruled any interfering State laws; and
these acts of the States did interfere with
acts of Congress, enacted under Its clear
constitutional authority. .a
AS to the extent of the power of regd-
lating commerce; allow me to quotea SIN
gle sentence from the opinion Of one Of
the learned Judges Of the Supreme Court,
delivered on that occasion; Judge always
distinguished for the greatcare with which
he guarded State rights: / mean Mr.. JUS
tice Johnson. And when have read 1t,
sir, then say, if It does not confirm every
word and syllable which / have uttered on
this subject, either now, or at the Septem-
Der session. 'In the advancement of so
ciety," said the Judge, "labor, transport
tation, intelligence, care, and various
means Of exchange become commodities
and enter into commerce; and the subject,
the vehicle, the agent, and these various
Operations, become the objects of COM
mercial regulation"
These Just sentiments prevailed. The
decision of the Court Quoted the DANCE
rous controversy; and satisfied, and win
add, gratifed, most highly gratifed the
whole country.
Sir, may we not perceive at the present
moment, without being suspected of look
ing with eyes whose sight is sharpened by
too much apprehension-may we not per-
ceive, sir, in what is now passing around
US, the possible beginnings of another con.
troversy between States, which may be Of
still greater moment, and followed, if not
arrested, by still more deplorable conse.
quences9 Do we see no danger, no dis.
turbance, no contests ahead Sir, do we
not behold excited commercial rivalship,
evidently existing between great States
and great cities? 70 we not see an emu
lous competition for trade, external and
internall Do we not see the parties con-
cerned, charging, and proposing to en-
large, to vast extent, their plans of cur
rency, evidently in connexion with these
objects of trade and commerce2 Do we
not see States themselves becoming deeply
interested in great banking institutions!
Do we not know, that already, the notes
and bills of some States are prohibited bv
law from circulating in others7
Sir, will push these questions no far
theE; but tel you that i was for exactly
such crisis as this-fOr this very crisis
for this Identical exigency now upon US
that this constitution was framed, and this
Government established. And, sir, lei
those who expect to get over this crisis
without effort and without action, let those
whose hope is that they may be borne along
on the tide of circumstances and favora-
BILE occurrences, and who repose in the
denial of their own powers aud their own
responsibility-let all such, look well to
the end.
For one I intend to clear myself from all
| blame--I intend, this day, to free myself
of the responsibility of consequences, by
warning you of the danger int which YOU
are conducting our public affairs by urging
and entreating you, as / do now urge and
entreat you, by invoking you, as / do In
woke you, by your love Of country, and
your fidelity to the constitution, to aban-
don all untried expedients; to use no trust
in ingenuity and confluence; to have
done with projects which alarm and agi-
tate the people TO seek no shelter from OBJ
| legation and DUTY; but with manliness, d.
rectness, and true wisdom, to apply to the
evils of the times their proper remedy
That Providence may guide the counsels
of the country to this end, before eeen
greater disasters and calaInitieS overtake
us, is my most feryent prayer!
Mr.. President, on the subject of the
power of Congress, as well as on other inn
portant topics, connected with the bill, the
honorable gentleman from South Carolina
has advanced opinions, of which I feel
bound to take some notice.
| That honorable gentleman, In his recent
speech, attempted to exhibit a contrast be-
tween the course of conduct which |, and
other gentlemen who act with me, at pre-
sent pursue, and that which we have here
tofore followed. In presenting this con-
trast, he said, he intended nothing person.
| al; his only object was truth. To this
/ could not object. The occasion requires,
sir, that should now examine his opin-
lions; and can truly say, with him, that
mean nothing personally injurious, and
that my object, also, is truth. and nothing
else. Here might stop: but ! viii even
say something more.
Il is now Eve and twenty years, sir
since / became acquainted with the honor.
liable gentleman In the III. Of Representa-.
tives, ri which he lad held q seat, ! think
about a year and q half before entered
It. From that period, sir, down to the
year 1924, ] can say, with great sincerity
there was not, among my political contem
Eporaries, any man for whom ! entertained
IA higher respects or warmer esteem
When we first met, We were bath young
linen. / beheld in him d generous
character, a liberal and comprehensive
mind, engrossed BY greater objects dis
! tinguished talent. and, particularly grea
originality and Figor Of thought. That b
was ambitious, did not doubt but tha
! there was any thing "a bis ambition low 0
4 sordid, auy thing approaching to love 4
the mere leaves and fishes of Office, di
! moi then believe, and do not now believe
!. III from that moment down 10 the time
d have already mentioned, / differed Wil
S him on any great constitutional question,
i d. not know i.
4 But IN 1924, events wen known "a II
& Senate separated IS and that ia
remained gide and broad, until the end
{ ihememdra6ls session which terminate
j ii March. 1888 Withthe events Of rs
sesi ion. our occasions sc difference +.