Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1849-02-16

%''N -"'Nsg ishioltlo VI Ailt t1Vutil put uo WIZ
uo upon the Union. They are ready to break
il up when ii stands in the way Of the most in
significant local or sectional interest, aud il VIC
attempt to reason or remonsirate, we are mi.
formly met with one reply, "Lct US have what
we want or We will break the Union TO pieces"
The constitution guarantees ITO every citizen
Of each State the privileges and mmunities of
citizens in the several States" but the State Of
South Carolina throws into prison an unoffend-
ing citizen Of Massachusetts, because bis color is
pcrhapsR shade darker than their own, and
when the State Of Massachusetts, sends another
Of her citizens there 10 test the constiuiionaity
of the law in her own courts, he is surrounded
by mob, and obliged to fee for his life.
In another State, the solemn judgment Of the
United States Supreme Court, protecting some
unofendng native Indians in their title to land
occupied by them, Is PIT to open defiance, and
the execution Of il forcibly resisted. And these
and other like ouirages have been submitted to
by the people Of the North, because submission
to them was the price Of the Union.
How long is this 10 continue, and where is the
limit?
We have no sympathy with the abolition IA
natics Of the North, who would stimulate SER
vile war, and forcibly interfere with slavery in
the States, and still less for the Southern fanat-
ics,who meet us upon all questions with the high
waymans dagger and salutaiion, Your money
or your iye.'
Dearly as VIC love the Union, il is the Union
rs the cons,itufion makes il that we love. il is
constitutional liberty that we value and cherish
not the anarchy Of conlcdera,ed States with a
Government that allows each one to kick it over
when ], plcases, and set up its own Judgment
as superior and final.
What kind Of Union is that which has No
common bond Of association, and what is thai
/ Republic worth which has no central power I,
/ govern, and no common tribunal or authority Il
reconcile conflicting interests or decide be
7 tween hostile opinionsf There is no need It,
calculate the value Of such an Union. 1t i
( rcrflies.
II is evidently the policy and aim of Mr. Cal
boun and bis associates, to force upon us the issue
Of slavery IN he Territories or di.union, and
leave to US that alternative only. For ourselves
the election is made. Adhering 10 the Consti.
tuition as a shee, anchor Of hope, we arc ready
10 submit this aud al other questions TO the judg-
ment ofihe United Mates Couri,tbe tribunal pro.
yided in the Constitution for that purpose, and
yield n ready obedience to its DEGREES. But il
thu, common tribunal is to be trampled in the
4 dust, then VIC are ready to adopt the resolution
Of the New York Barnburners and "asclare,
since NE eTisis has agTieed rhea that question
MUST BE- met, oiT UNcoNPsoMIsISG hostility 10
he extension Of 'larery into Territory noir free,
,rhick hos been or may Be hereafter acquired BY
any action Of he Government Of he United
| Sales"
This state OF things grow. entirely out OF the
absurd claim Of Mr. Calhoun and his eonfeder.
ares that upon consfi,iaioaai questions each State
in is sovereign capacity is for itself the sole and
final judge.
The North hold that the Supreme Court Of
the United States is the tribunal created by the
constitution for the decision Of al questions aris-
ing under it, and to the judgments of that tribu-
nal they have ever submitted.
This was the principal question in the cele.
, brated passage-at. arms between Mr. Webster
and Mr. Hayne of South Carolina, on the sIsi
! of January, 1880, day which we regard as the
! proudest and most brilliant of Mr. Webster,
life, as it gave occasion to speech which foi
true eloquenee, forensic humiliation of an adj
versary, and overwhelming logical demonstrn.
lion, has, in our judgment, no superior among
the orators and statesmen of ancient or modern
times.
Ills argument is peculiarly interesting JUS
now, as il lays bare the foundation of quicksanC
\ upon which stands the hydra-headcd monster
notification, and though it occupies more spac,
than We can well spare, we are confident tn,
following extracts from it will be perused witt
pleasure and profit:
Sir, the people have wisely provided in the con
sttution itself, proper suitable mode and trbnna
for settling questions OF constitutional law Their
are in the constitution grants Of powers TO Congress
and restrictions on those powers There are alst
prohibitions on the States. Some authority mus
therefore necessarily exist, having the ultimate ia
rsdicton 20 fix and ascertain the Interpretation o
these grants, restrictions and prohibitions. Tn,
constitution itself has pointed out, ordained ant
established that authority. How has il accomplish
| ed this great and essential ends BY declaring sir
that ths constitution and de la,rs ofhe United State
made IN pursuance hsrtef shall BE- he supreme lac o.
NE land, any thing IN Tie consultation or lars of an,
State 10 The ooirasy noficlkstandngn
This sir, was the first great step BY this the SUI
premacy of the constitution and laws oil the United
States Is declared The people SO will it, Nc
State law is TO be valid, which comes in conflict
with the constitution, with any law Of the United
States passed in pursuance Of it But who shall
decide this question Of interference To whom
lies the last appeal This, sir the constitution it.
self also decides by declaring, that he judicial
poloer shall decide all drisiRg under he consiitu-
tion and Li,cs Of e United Safes These two pro-
visions, SIR cover the whole ground. They are in
truth the keystone of the arch. With these il is
constitution; without them, it is confedency. In
pursuance of these clear and express provisions
Congress established at It's very first session in the
judicial act, mode for carrying them into full eff.
feet and for bringing all questions of constitutional
power to the final decision OF the supreme court IL
then, sir became government II then had all the
means Of sefprotectloni and but for this, il would
in all probability have been among things which are
past Having constituted the government, and de-
clared lis powers the people have further said that
since somebody must decide on the extent of these
powers, the government shall itself decide subject
always like other popular governments, to its res.
possibility to the people. And now, sir, repeat,
how Is 1t that State Legislature acquires any pow
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