Weekly national intelligencer., 1850-03-16

III
you have security from this contrved equpoise If
the majority disposed disregard all constitutional checks
and to oppess the minority, that can well be done by
small preponderance in the legislature by larger
The security is just what when the constitution
went from the hands Of its trainers.
But what kind Of equilibrium could be established Is
every section of this counry-Norh South East and West
every interest," manufacturing, agricultural commercial and
mechanical be weighed each against the other Is each
to hold the Government in state Of equpose What il
would become in such case, while in nominal operation,
tell We all tell, however, what it would not
do. Ii would leave its great functions unpeormed, and
would ere long, die in the affections of the people, as it
would be already dead to their interests Who heard
dreamed Of such Government believe the constitution
intended to provide for every interest But each must
De cultivated and protected as the OF the country
may require without the vain attempt mathematical accu
racy in the progress Of public affairs
In the days of Solomon it said there was nothing
under the but confess that perfect equilibrium for
all time and for all interests be these interests greater
smaller would be something There is difference of
opinion respecting the constuonay of the Wmot provso
The attempt to enforce is not the result of any arbitrary
disposition Dure the South, but arises from belief that
the legal and saluay These differences of
structon nsepaabe from human language and he who
expects to prepare written constitution. carrying with it
universal of opinion in all its constructions
dulges chimera wild presented itself to any man,
sleeping waking ask, sir when did the North seek
nure South when did the South seek jure the North
in the wanonness OF oppression This charge of
tonal rivalry know has been fruitful theme Of discussion
among the political parties of the day; but it has no
foundation in the progress of history We have gone on
sir increasing in power, in all the elements Of prosperity,
with rapidty unknown among the nations Of the earth
The charge, indeed it goes back 10 the days
of Mr. Jefferson. When the aggressions of England
qured couneracng to be adopted by this country
intercourse and the embargo, and finally war;
sorted to in defence Of the rights and the independence of the
country AT that time powerful party the Eastern States
desired TO secede from the Union They said then, is said
now, there is sectional majority against they disregard
rights and destroy our interests and we will out from
is not used proposed which is not
proposed There some Of yet here who living at
that period and participated in these events And the younger
generation well know that these facts stand prominently
forward in the history Of their couRtry.
Sir the objection of the Senator from South Carolina is
repeated here to-day by his colleague and it amounts oh
that if you give power to Government may be abused So
may and should like the Government where power
be abused It would be another thing undr the
We may all suppose Of extreme oppreson where
State would be justified before the world in resisting tie acts
of majority, and in seeding from this Union from any
other We can all suppose such case but, suce unto
the day is the evil thereof and when that evil day
let those who have the responsibility act upon it, ant decide
for themselves and for their posteriy There has generally
been sound public opinion existing in country. Wis
dom and patriotism found in both Houses of Congress-
well in the State Legislatures whose influence every
where felt and appreciated And these saluary checks
against the abuse of And happily mother
institution, the Supreme Court which contributes its full
share the stability of institutions. There men,
advanced in years. with neither the power Of the sword
the purse whose decisions received with condnce and
obeyed with aacry, from end Of this broad repbic to
the other It is oasis in the desert Of politics. green
spot for the eye to rest upon 1t is tribunal OF which
may all be proud There is higher upon the fae Of the
earth. BY their ability, their dignity, their impartialiy their
unimpeached pobity the judges have the their
countymen and, besides the performance of their judicial
functions they every where exert sautay influence upon
public opinion, 1t refreshing to leave these CHAMBERS of
discussion and dssension, and the hall below 49, and
mark the tranquility and wisdom with which the high nte
of the community there considered and determined
AT the last session of that court sublime moral spectacle
presented of which every American may be Justly Lrou
One Of the greatest States Of this Union appeared at the bar
and made itself party asking the court to judge its cause
and to certain mpedmens to the navigation of the Ohio
river which considered injury by the Commonwealth
Of Pennsylvania Yes, like individual, that State asked
the court to sit in judgment upon the cause and direct
these mpediment to be removed Who would witness such
spectacle this Union dissolved Differences like
this would then be adjusted not by reason, but by the strong
hand Another similar passed in the place short
time since, when two States, members of this Confderacy
disputng about their boundaries asked this decide
between hem and court did decides understand the
line they fixed running by commissioners armed only
with slip Of paper and through country heretofore highly
excited by this question, but calm and satisfied leaving
the to perform their duty with much safety
protected by all the force Of the Republic Such lines else
where by armies, and marked by the sword Thus
it will be that Government has mode Of settling
difficulties constitutional mode-ha ought to command
the assent Of all '
do deny that there may be great political where
this have Jurisdiction When such arise
peaceabe remedy will be found for their adjustment
leave that to time and II is Of national
characteristics neglect immediate advantages and look
forward to great calamity, which to oveake after
the lapse Of centuries
The Senator from South Carolina (Mr CALHoUs) has
stated the amendment by which he proposes the
equilibrium Of the Government There are, however, two
indications in his speech which leave but little doubt the
nature of the remedy, though its details must of be
copectural He pointed difficulties in the operations
of the Government which would be necessary to obvate
First that claimed force in order carry into effect
the powers felt authorized to exercise. Well, sir, what
Human beings influenced by hope and fear leave higher
considerations Of view this discussion,) and
Government is rich enough to buy obedience it must compel
it by force.
The second difficulty is that the Government to
judge Of the extent Of its powers does and
saly. And must every other Government in greater
less degree do not propose to enter into any argument
upon this point to investigate the course necessary to
in the event Of collisions of opinion between the Cen
eral and State Governments. That must be determined by
events they arise merely aude these topics briefly,
in order by asceanug the evils supposed to exist by the
Senator from South Carolina, ascertain the nature of the
remedy he is desirous of applying to them He seeking
constitutional remedy which shall produce equilibrium,
by which the rights of every section and Of every interest of
the country be preserved from aggression The South
is not the only section which is liable oppression There
also the East the West and the West which may
have the Of complaint And the various interests
have already enumerated may, like manner, each demand
peculiar protection There is to be controlling pnci
pie within the constitution by which its operations may be
regulated when these several sections interests may consider
their rights aaed endangered for do suppose the
honorable Senator so local in his views propose
medy which shall not be applicable, under similar crcum
10 oft And hat