Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1838-01-20

where it led him. he knows what results he las con-
tended for under its authority and he knows thatlhny
others, this ioor, vino Claim TO respect wiz
equal Difference the doctrines Of Sc, travelled Palhs
widely divergent from his; paths so opposed that they
led 10 sharp, bitter, and alarming conflict his ouSn'
to teach The Senator not only the !oiy hui Tie Gaset
of putting forth abstract theories upon Inc
But the Senator advances this theory because II con-
tans the only conservative princ pe-lhe only remedy
for the slave States And what is that CONSERVATIVE Pf
cple and what the remedy The Senator from Delaware,
in giving definition Of the meaning OF Tie resolution,
sulved perhaps without designing II, this prncpe ana
remedy The movers view OF state r'shts, s' as
stood Them that the u S. confederaed corporalons'
each marty 10 the Constitution IN the nature oil treaty
or confederation and when this Government, or peinpS
one of the States, in the Judgment oil Stale sha VIZ
late this compact it may declare the whole contract Won"
because has been broken and cease TO observe II WIN
The same freedom and upon The same principles that
one nation declares treaty null because lie other party
in lis opinion has violated IT, This must be the RENE
dy-ihe right 10 secede from the Union when a o'ate
sees cause and what is this but qualification: lie re-
solution is capable Of constructions one to bear ou
the Senator view the other the view of those who hou
TO different construction Of the ConsiitulI"n ana sun
call themselves Stale rights politicians bHt W'a' uu'
vantage can there be in avowng an opinion mat can
only excite controversy about its meaning IL Is iu'''e
10 attempt to make the Constitution broader or narrower
for we have no power TO add or diminish. we may
sanction puzzlEg theories about Tie Prooaoie ihIen''o
of The u. States, but the Constitution must ana WIN
speak for ITSELF be the opinions OF hs Senate "nat y
NAV The Public will look upon such acts as they are
unnecessary and obligatory upon nobody, as mere at
tenpts 10 give direction TO the public judgment
Sir ask the Senator and The Senate to read The pre-
amble the Constitution, which now bring 10 lseir at'
tenton:
awe, The People of the United States in order to form
more perfect Uuion establish justice ensure domestic
tranquility provide for the common defence, promote
the general welfare and secure the blessings Of liberty
10 ourselves and pos,erly DO ordain nnd establish
80. n Statn- ,fhm
And compare it with this first resolution, observe lis
unequvocal language 1--WE, the People, &c, Instead OF
the States, corporations and see how they VIII sano
together But, sir, will not dwell on this matter when
has been again and again argued the best talent IN the
country. not whether the Constitution was made
by the States corporations, or otherwise 1t makes no
provision for Notification; ives no connenance TO III
but leaves it stand such theories as human lnven
ton has ought its aid am in no respect disposed
to revive it, since it has met with signal public condem
nation and therefore shall vote against all distractions
where lis seed is II is part OF my DUTY 10 SIT
here forming crerds and confessions OF faith Tor The pnr
pose of experimenting upon public opinion Inc req
Pile, hope will think and act for themselves, aud will
be too entanse their understandings IN lie mesh
es Of politicians.
What is the second resnluono II seems designed to
point the duties of the States towards one another
regard their domestic Institutions, and the duly oil
this Government 10 protect each Stale in the enjoyment
OF all such domestic institutions, and TO restrain such
States assail those OF other States THIS country
stretches through wide space OF the eatli-fnoraces
twenty-six Sates-some almost under vertical sun,
while others in the reg ion o! frost These domestic
institutions all know must ne various and different
under different circumstances Those, for example, suit
ed 10 louisiana will be i'll fitted for Vermont The
views Of different States upon The necessity character,
and expediency OF domestic institutions will always con.
ct, and organization was designed Tor That very
purpose The right OF speech, the freedom OF Inc press,
the liberty Of discussion are domestic institutions; and
to be restrained in the exercise oil any of these
precious rights because others differ from US IN opinion,
and may hold our reasoning against their institution
injurious? These matters all belong 70 the States ::
and il lies with them 10 regulate Them at pleasure
and without reference 10 The views or opinions OF
other States Ii the design is 10 cothe this Government
with power to abridge the privileges of the States then
the Senate exercise such authority, and had be-
ter pause before it acts.
But, Sir must bring my remarks TO close, as The
state Of my health will not permit me TO proceed IN.
tend have examined the character of these resolutions
more in detail and to state fully my obeclions but
mus. forbpar. | cannot, however, sill down, without
asking the Senator from South Carolina ngan-why he
incorporates political doctrines with this matter-why he
mngles with slavery the nnexatlon OF Texas TO The
United States He says must go back TO elementary
principles 10 fundamentals Go back from where, aud
what are we to 90 Sir both you and the Senator
participated but with quite different sentiments, IN that
Of this Government sometimes called the Force BILL
and each Of you had your opinions upon that celebrated
paper called the Proclamation. You were then arIayed
against each other The Senator is about 10 90 back and
asks tile Senate 20 with him; and they do go with
him. but where from and where 10? he cannot he 60
ing TO the Force bill or The Procamation and doubtless
he considers the Senate going from them, back to WHAT
have endeavoed to show the character OF the first
solution, and the construction which may he put upon
it, Ii may possibly he considered an attempt TO renew
creed which the Force bill and The Proclamation had
re ndered Of doubtful authority. For myself, had lit.
tie sympathy with those who so much iauded the Fro
clamation or much condemned the bill The quarrel
between parts Of The State Rights party lldv-
ing drawn the attention Of the Senate 10 the use which
fear may be made IN the country OF this resolution
shall not this time proceed further.
MIR. Webster expressed hope that, as Mr. DAVIS was
(from ndispusilioD) too much exhausted 10 con-
tnue his remarks, the Senate would adjourn
Mr.. Davis replied that he sc:ld be glad to submit
further remarks but could not proceed and
would not request the Senate lu stop lie progress VI OIL.
siness OH that account.
Two divisions were then had the ad tournament,
when the Senate refused 10 adjourn,
Mr. Davis then resumed his seat
Mr. Calhoun rose and said that before he should no.
tice such observations Of the Senator from Massachu-
selts Mr. Davis he deemed pertinent 10 the ques-
tinn before the Senate. he felt it duty which he owed
to himself to state distinctly the position which he had
heretofore held in relation 10 the subject oi these
resolutions. II is not ltur as the Senator Supposes,
that my views in relation 10 the proper 10 be
taken have prevailed. 1t is Just the Mr.. Cal
houn said he had, he believed, been in standing mi
noiiy from The time the subject of abolition was first
aci,ated in this body, Ill, the introduction Of these
solutions; and, although he had steadily objected 10
the reception of any abolition pct!ons far from
taking lead in laying them The table, the Sena.
stuted he had not in single instance made such
motion. lie was, the contrary, wholly opposed to
the course lie had doubted the folly Of the pc.
aon, that we were bound to receive petitions, but
might lay them Immediately the table without con.
deraton discussion. In the original debate he told
the Senator from Pennsylvania, (Mr. Buchanan) who
took lead in favor of that course, that it utterly
indcensibe, and that the reasons he (A1r assigned
to prove that bound to receive would be equally
cogen TO show that were bound to refer, report on
discuss and decide them. He also told him what
would be the consequences Of his false position all oil
which have already been realized. The Senator from
Kentucky has already taken the precise ground which he
foreold would be taken Nor is the Senator less misa
ken in surprising that he has been opposed the discus
sion of the subject He has, true, been utterly and
unaeruby opposed TO any discussion with the aboIi
tions,s. They have right to here, and lie