The North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1834-1850, 1850-09-11


establish consolidated despctism! Understand me,
Mr.. Chairman, impute not to the President any
such reasonable design but it is my object to hold
up to public reprobation the principles avowed in
this communication. Il is my duty to do so, sir.
There is much truth III the aphorsm, that the price
enlightened age, have nothing to fear from open ag
gresson but it is the nsidious approach of despo-
tism, under the color of law and authority, that
should arouse the patriot from his sumbers:~
am we'll aware, sir. that an attempt has been
made to justify the tenor of this message by compar
ing it withthe proclamation of General Jackson and
this attempt should impress upon minds the great
and lively necessity of condemning the promugation
by those in authority of unconstitutional and ant-re
publicanprncipes at all times, and under all circum
stances. However well meant that proclamation of
GeneEs sJackson may have been yet it contains prn-
ciples antirepublican that, if they should be
adopted and legtmated by the usage of our Govern
ment, the destruction of our republican institutions
must necessarily ensue. But however obnoxious in
my estimation, some of the principles of that proca-
nation may have been, yet you will not find there
the assumption of any such authority as now claimed
by the Executive Of the country What were the
circumstances which elected that proclamation! The
sovereign people of South Carolina regularly assem-
bled in convention not only declared the laws of the
United States null and void, but adopted the neces-
sary measures to resist their execution. Among
these measures was effecting total obstruction
of the judicial authority of the United States. Heavy
pains and penalties to be enforced against all of
her citizens who might assist in the execution of the
Judicial process. This was the attitude which the
sovereign State of South Carolina occupied, and it
was under the heavy of danger then threatening
our Government, that Andrew Jackson issued his
proclamation. Sir, is there any, even the faintest,
resemblance between the circumstances of that mo-
mentous period and those which now surround US
Has the State of Texas attempted to obsruct the u
dical process of the United States arrest the
execution of any of its laws! No, sir; the President
himselfinforms that she is but engaged in the
tabshment of civil government. She is really and
actually making effort to execute an existing law
the law of annexation; and if the Infringement of any
right of the United States should be involved she has
refusd no submission to the judicial authority. No,
sir; it is the President who has taken this step-ts is
the President on whom the responsibility must rest
of avoiding judicial process. The Presidents casus
beli wililustrae the truth of this charge. He has
declared that if the State of Texas shall attempt
punish any of those citizens of New Mexico who
have resisted the establishment of her civil govern
ment, he will employ the military authority of the
United States to prevent it. Now sir, this punish
ment is contemplated to be legal, to be judicial
punishment; and We all must be aware, that if any
civil law, or any treaty stipulation should be violated
in the process of trial at law, clear, ready, and
tain redress be obtained at the hands of the Su
preme Federal Court either by appeal writ of error
1t is this judicial determination by the Supreme Court
which the President, by the use of military authority,
would prevent. w nat was General JdckSOn'S deep
solictude sustain and uphold, is the Presidents
policy to intercept and Illustrate.
But, MIR. Chairman, let compare the conduct of
President jackson and President Fillmore little
further. The former, in the pressing emergency sta
ted, expressly refused to the military authority
during the session of Congress, and respectfully i'll
vtes Congress to invest him with that power. Pres
ident Fillmore, under the operation of the same law,
not only claims the legal right, but declares his de-
termination to the military authority while Con-
gress is in session, and the very time Congress is
engaged in earnest effort to remove the difficulties,
to pour the oil of peace upon the tloubed waters"
The conduct of the former is high and noble illus
traton of a warrior statesman, who, most deeply i'm
pressed with the dangers of the crisis, threw himself
upon the wisdom of Congress for counsel and advice.
The latter, blind it were to the consequences of
awaits not its action but boldly declares his detern
all hazards-at all risks. Indeed we have fallen up
evil times; every side the lowering clouds most
fearully betoken the pers of the crisis. The most
preserve the noble vessel of State from destruction.
let lay aside all pickering, all sectional strife, and
OUR duty-our whole duty.
. NOTE.
Since the delivery of this speech, have had my
attention called to an editorial article published in the
Globe of the date of January A. 1888, which purpors
to be an explanation of President Jackson's procla-
mation and, (as the venerable Mr.. Richie has kindly
furnished me with the substance of conversation he
had dyuitl Tacks fau davs IN