The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-04-10

tain n uniform system in all matters Of trade II II
shall not protect and regulate the commerce OF The
country in all It's great interests In lis foreign iner-
course In its domestic Intercourse, in its navigation,
Ia its currency, in every thing which fairly belongs
TO the whole idea of commerce, either as an end, an
agent, or an instrument then that constitution VIII
have failed utterly failed accomplish the precise
distinct original object in which il had It's being.
In matters oftrade we were no longer 10 be Geor-
gianS, Vrginians, Pennsylvanians or Massachusetts
men. We were TO have but one commerce, andlhal
the commerce of the United States. There were
not 10 be separate flags, waving over separate con-
mercial systems There was TO be one nag, Le
PLuRBus USuM and toward that was TO be that rally
of united interests and affections which our fathers
had so earnestly invoked.
Mr. President this univ of commercial regulation
is in my opinion, indispensable to the safety OF me
union OF the States themselves. In peace IL Is us
strongest lie. i care not, sir, on what side, or IN
which Of It's branches, il may be attacked Every
successful attack upon it, made anywhere, weakens
the whole and renders the next assault easier ana
more dangerous Any denial OF It's JUST powers an
attack upon it, We attack il, most ferceiy attackh
whenever we say we Will not exercise ,ae powers
which ii enjons. If the Court had yielded 10 the
pre,ensons OF respectable States upon The subject o
steam navigation, and TO the realialory proceedings
Of other States; il retreat and excuse and diSavowai
OF power had been prevailing sentiments lheh, ~
what condition, al this moment, letme ask, wouldthe
steam navigation of the country be found 10 us
sir to us his countrymen, 10 US, who feel so nuch
admiration for his genius, and so much gratitude ior
his services, Fulton would have lived almost IN VAIN
State grants and Stale exclusions Wouiu nave co'ei-
ed over all our waters
Sir it is in the nature OF such things mat me fsl
violation the first departure from true prnclpies
draws more important violations OF departures aier
il and the first surrender OF just authority VIII DC
followed by others more 10 be deplored. llcommefce
be unit 10 break it in any one part, is TO decree It's
| ultimate dismemberment in all III there be MADE a
first chasm though il be small through that The whole
wild ocean will pour in, and we may then throw up
| embankments in vain. , .
Sir, the spirit of union is particularly liable TO
temptation and seduction in moments Of peace and
prosperity. In war, this spirit Is strengthened by
sense of common danger, and by a thousand reco-
lcclons Of ancient efforts and ancient glory IN
common cause. In the Gains OF long peace, and
the absence OF all apparent causes OF aiarn ihnss
near gain an ascendancy over things remote. Local.
interests and feelings overshadow national senu-
ments. Our attention, our regard, ana our auach-
ment are every moment solicited to what touches US
closest and we feel less and less the aracuoh VI
| distant orb Such tendencies we are bound by true
patriotism and by our love OF union 10 resist. ms
| is our duty and the moment, in my Judgment mas
4 arrived when that duty is summoned 10 action. we
| hear every day, sentiments and arguments, Which
4 would become a meeting of ENJOYS, employed py
! separate Governments, more Than they become the
common Legislature OF a united country. Cohs.al,
appeals are made TO local interests TO geographical
distinctions and 10 the policy and the pride oil pafu-
cuar States. 1t would sometimes appear that twas,
or as il il were, settled purpose, 10 convince sic
people that our Union is nothing but lumDie Q, aI-
feren and dScordant interests which must, ere long,
be all returned to their original state OF separate ex
isience: as if. therefore, il was Of no great value
while il should last, and was not likely 10 lasl long
The process of disntegraon begins, by urging the
fact of different interests
Sir il not the end obvious, to which all this leads
usl Who does not see that, if convictions oil inns
kind take possession of the public mind our union
can hereafter be nothing while j remains, but
conner ion without harmony; a bond without alec-
ton; theatre for the angry contests oil local leel-
loo al obi md lnral
il continues to exist, in name, II may by theSe
means become nothing but the mere form OF united
i Government My children, and the children OF
those who sit around me, may meet perhaps IN thlS
Chamber in the next generation but if tendencies,
now but too obvious be not checked, they will meet
as strangers and aliens They will feel no sense OF
common interest or common country they viii che
rsh common object of patriotic love. II the same
Saxon language shall fall from their lips it may be
the chief proof that they belong TO the same nation.
Its vital principle exhausted and gone, It's power OF
doing good terminated now productive only oil STRIFE
and.contention, and no longer sustained by sense
of common interest the Union itself must ultimately
/ fall diShonored and unamented.
/ The honorable member from Carolina himself,
! habitualy INDUCES in charges OF uSurpation and
oppression against the Government of his country.
! He daily denounces its important measures in the
language in which our revolutionary fathers spoke
of the expressions OF the mother country Not merely
| against Executive usurpaton, either real or sup
posed does he utter these sentiments, but against
| laws of Congress laws passed by large majoritieS,
laws sanctioned for course OF years, by the people.
| These laws he procaims, every hour, 10 be but
! series of acts of oppression de speaks OF them as
| il il were admitted fact, that such IS their true
/ character. This is the language which he uterS,
these the sentiments he expresses othe rising gene
ration around him. Are they sentiments and Ian
guage which are likely 10 inspire our children with
the love of union TO enlarge their patriotism, or to
teach them and to make them feel that their destiny
! has made them common citizens OF one great and
glorious republicl A principal object, in his late
/ linn thp q n
was 10 anitc the entire South and against whom, or
against what does be wish to unite the entire Souh2
Is not this the very essence of local feeling and local
regard Is it not the acknowledgment OF wish
and object TO create political strength, by uniting
political opinions geographically While the gen
/ eman thus wishes to unite the entire South, pray
| 10 know, sir, if he expects me to turn toward the
polarsar and acting on the same principle, TO utter
a cry of Rally! to the whole Norhl Heaven Tor
| bid To the day of my death, neither he nor others
! shall hear such cry from me.
Finally the honorable member declares that he
| shall now march off, under the banner of State
| rights March of from Whoml March oil from
| whatl We have been contending for great princi-
| Piles. We have been struggling to maintain the
liberty and to restore the prosperity OF the country
we have made these struggles here, in the national
councils, with the old flag, the true American flag,
the Eagle, and the Stars and Stripes, waving over the
Chamber in which we sit. He now tells US, how
ever, that he marches off under the State rights
| banner!
Let him 90 remain am where ever have
been, and ever mean to Here, standing on the
platform Of the general constitutional platform
broad enough and firm enough, to uphold every in
ereSt of the whole country shall still be found
| Entrusted with some part in the administration OF
that constitution intend TO act in lis spirit and in
the spirit of those who framed il. Yes, sir, would
act as if our fathers who formed il for US, and who
baqueathed il TO us, were looking on us--as II
could see heir venerable forms, bending down 10
behold us from the abodeS above ! would act, too
sir, as ifthat long line Of postery were also viewing
us, whoe eye is hereafter to scrutnize our conduct
Standing thus, in the full gaze of our ancestors