The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-07-15

protection Of the people Of the State and the yind-
cation OF the constitution Of the United States
IRBY HUDSON.
Speaker OF the House Of Representatives
THOMAS STOCKS,
President of The Senate
JOHN FORSYTH,
Governor"
Mr.. BERRiEs said, that the snnunciation made
rom the chair imposed duty on his colleague and
| himself which, with his assent he would perfnrm
- giving direction, with the sanction Of the
ena'e, 70 The document which had just been am
~ 49,, am not willing, SIR, (said Mr.. b. 10 see
VI aS' % s'sye and interesting in its character TO
pass away with those mere every dav events WHICH
ara iorgouen almost in the instant Of their occnr-
renee In order, therefore thar n NAV ne dis,ins,I
Pas"en'eu 20 the notice Of the Senate before sub
NIT the motion which il calls for, viii s,a,s h. n.-
port, and avail myself of the occasion 10 maFs
brief remark. W "'""e
That document, sir, Of which an official conv hss
been transmitted to my colleague and myself (. ,hs
protest OF the State OF Georgia, made through her
constitutional organs TO the assembly of the rena
sentatves Of States against the 'act alternop oT
inc several acts laying duties on imports y passed
al the late session Of the Congress OF the United
States. In her sovereign character, as one Of the
original members Of this confederacy by whom this
government was called into existence, that Stale
protests against this act. on the several grounds
which are specifically set forth in that nstTumen,
which Is atiesed by the signatures other Legislative
ana executive funetionarles, and authenticated I'M
der her public seal
L. Is now delivered to this department Of the fed
erai government to be deposited In its archives In
ps'psi~am rel maoriam, 10 serve, whenever the oc.
easion may require u, as authentic testimony of
me solemn dissent Of of the sovereign States Of
the Union from the act therein protested against AZ
an nfacuon OF the constitutional compact by which
she is united 10 the other members OF this confed
eracy.
IL is dlfhcult, SIR, 10 repress--it is perhans sill
more difheult appropriately to express-the ieenys
which belong 10 such an occasion as the present
nave been educated in sentiments Of reverence for
our federal Union, and through life have habitu-
ally cherished these sentiments. As an individual
eiuzen, therefore, h Is painful TO recur TO that dis
astroos policy which has imposed on the State in
whieh 1--we the stern necessity of assuming this
relation to the government Of this confederaey.
AS one OF the Representatives on this floor az thar
State, whose citizens have always been forward IN
manifest profound and devoted attachment 20 this
union-oi a patriotic and gallant people, who free
~ yield their treasure and unsparingly shed their
blood IN It's defence-the occasion Is one of deem
d" anu un'n'ns'ea Illumination, which demands the
uePose' IN the registry of the Senate of this rec
ora OF their wrongs. There may be those sir who
will look to this act with indifference ne,bans win
evity who will consider il as the result of momen
tary excitement, and see, or think they see, in il
merely the sfusion Of impassioned bur evnnrscent
feeling. implore those gentlemen not 10 deceive
themselves on subject in relation TO which error
may be alike dangerous to US ALL
Forty years Of successful experiment have proved
the efficiency of this government 10 sustain us in
an honorable intercourse with the other nations of
the world. Externally, in peace and in war amid
the fluctuations commerce and the strife of arms IL
mas protected our interests and defended our rights
One trial, one fearful trial. yet remains TO be made
u Is one, under the apprehension of which the
bravest may trcmble--which the wise and The oood
IN m, L. =
ment which shall test the COMPETENCY Of the govern
ment TO preserve our internal peace Whenever N
question vitality affecting the bond which unites us
as one people, shall come to be solemnly agitated
between the sovereign members Of the confederacy.
In proportion to Its dangers should be our solicude
TO AVOID Il, by absaIning the one hand from acts
OF doubtful legislation, as well as by the manner of
resistance on the other to those which are deemed
unconstitutional Bstween the Independent mem
oers OF th" eonfederacy, sir, there be no com
mon aroiter. They are necessarily RENTED TO their
own sovereign will, deliberately expressed in the
exercise Of those reserved rights of sovereignty
the delegation OF which would have been an act of
political suicide. The designation OF such an ar
bitter, SIR, was, by the force Of nvincbe necessity,
eas,s onissus among the provisions of constitution
comforting limited powers, the Interpretation of
which was TO be confded to the subordinate agents
created by those who were ntrusted to admins
ter IL.
earnestly hope, that the wise and conciatory
W '"S Eo'oi"hcUt, anu Oh tnOse OF ths sew
eral States, will postpone to period far distant, the
day which will summon us to so fearful a trial If
we are indeed doomed to encounter it, / as ear
nesty hope that it may be entered upon in
the spirit Of peace, and with cherished recol-
fections of former amity But the occasion which
shall impel the sovereign people Of even one
OF the members of this confederacy to resolve that
they are not bound by its acts, s one to which no
patriot can look with levity, nor yet Indifference.
whatever men and freemen may do to avert it, the
nan la IF L. ~ Il Il.
wrongs which they suffer, they will yet bear and
forbear. Though their complaints have been hith-
erto dsregarded and their circumstances have been
heretofore set at nought, they will still look with
confidence to the returning justice of this govern
ment. fulfil my duty, sir, on this OCCASION with
cherished reliance on that justice-with deep and
abiding conviction OF the patriotism and forbearance
OF that people by whom il is demanded-with an
humble but an unwavering trust in the mercy of
Heaven. r"
On motion of Mr.. Berrien. the letter and protest
were then ordered to be printed for the use of the
Senate. #sa .-