The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-12-20

Ia constitution III Is ANOWeu necessary
bsoause his Majesty servants had abandoned the colony
and temporary until they should back agani but
Thai limitation OF The policy pursued towards James
III Who although driven from the throne was declared
10 have abdcated it. II was, in fact assertion and
establishment OF their independence OF the BRUSH throne
Virginia also, in June, before the united declaration o.
independence declared herself independent ota,e anu
adopted her bill OF rights New jersey did the same on
the I'd OF july two days before the general deeiaiaon
OF independence and sci up government % ne P"n
Thus, SIR YOU ses that from the very foundation oil ou
liberties the States took into their own hands tue custody
OF their own rights, and made themselves independent
Anu now WIN any nan s" hsva sr,sndsred ,,tie II
their sovereignty In their first bond OF union-the art-
cles of conedeiatonlhey distinctly declare that leach
State reserves itself Its freedom, sovereignty. and
Independence" Were they surrendered by the exist.
ing constitution Virginia. fearful that such
false inference might be drawn. declared IN her ralca
tion that the powers granted under the conaAtu
tion being derived from the people Of the United States,
may be resumed by them whatsoever the shall be
perverted TO their injury OPPRESSION" and that eyey
power not granted thereby remains with them and OF
their Will" New York also declared, in her ratification,
that the powers oil government may be resumed when
IL shall be necessary 10 their happiness and that
All powers not delegated remain ruth The people Of the
several States their respective State governments
Rhode Island ratified the constitution in the very words
used by New York.
But may be answered that the States in Iaying the
constitution, had right to put terms 10 IT, 1t shows
their understanding, however. But will throw aside
this view. and turn to the proceedings OF the convention
which formed the constitution. There were two propo
sions which looked 10 dsrobing the States OF their
sovereignty The one was to make State amenable TO
the Supreme Court Of the United States the other
10 give 10 the general government the power 10
State should She resist the constitutional OF
Congress These propositions appeared in four different
plans (ndeed. believe, in all Of lhem,) for there
but four submitted to the convention But what the
fate Of these propositions! II either OF them passed, II
clear that the States would not be sovereign Tor the
very essence OF sovereignty is its entire supremacy
Both OF them voted down alter discussion, and
the States lett 10 be supemeto be sovereign within
their limits.
But. sir the sovereignty OF the States, and the
quent right of results from the OF the
government itself, independent OF the notifications OF the
States the records OF the convention We have had a
strict construction party in this country called the demo-
cratic party and formerly the republican pariy and the
basis OF their creed is the constitution it is, without
construction. Thence 1t is that they have denied the
consutionaliy OF banks. internal improvements. and Of
various other projects which the opposite party have
affirmed to be constitutional, Now, will affirm
that there is any express surrender OF their sovereignty
by the States in the constitution. How then, the
surrender be claimed BY cons,rncon--by inference.
Was ever heard oil that not only legislative powers,
but the very entity the very lille OF State be taken
from her by inerenceby construction And still more
extraordinary that party, whose creed is abstinence
IRON all constructive powers, who sickle at the
power to make a bank, or build Va road, because the
power is not plainly granted on the face OF The con
suion should by construction usup the sovereignty OF
the States. Aud these call themselves republicans
democrats To claim property, seize revenue BY
sructon is gross outrage on a man or a people but 10
annihilaieto kill either by nferenta authority and
that too from hemselvesis the cmaceric OF absurdy
wckedness, Sir, there once highly es-
publican party He was lis great political father and
when the spirit OF construction and tyranny threatened
strike down the liberty OF the press and the sovereignty
OF the Staies his genius up with It's clear and
terly craftsmanship, and rescued the constitution It's
last gasp. That man Thomas Jefferson This u
ihoy may be very weak amongst the federal dem
ocrats' and democratic ederalsts who sway public
opinion; but " il stood against the world. He
was the most sku and omnpotent party leader that has
guided and governed the councils OF the unlry
one-Andrew Jackson. Both ruled absolutely
by bis mild, clear intellect; The other by his
will Mr. jefferson, in the Kentucky resolutions of
1893, distinctly lays down the True principles OF the gov
and the rights OF the States The first OF these
resolutions Is as follows:
Re,oiped, That States composing the United
unlimited submission 10 the general government but that
by under the style and tle OF constitution for
the United States and of amendments thereto they const
tned general government for special purposes delegated
70 mat government certain definite powers fesrvng each
government. and a whatsoever the general governm
assumes powers It's acts are unanhoIntiye
void, and OF force compact State nc.
cedcd as STATE, and is an integral party co-Ster form
by compact was made the exclusive or final Judge
OF the extent Of the powers delegated TO itse-since that
would ha made its discretion, and tho constitution,
the OF its powers but that all other
compact among powers having no common lodge, each
party has an equal rsh to Judge for ITSELF well OF IN
fractions as oil the mode and measure OF redress,
Here. sir is the sovereignty OF the States vindica,cd.
and the right OF State ineposon or secession distinctly
affirmed The States OF Virginia and Kentucky, and the
whole republican party OF that day, North and South,
supported them. In fact they became The acknowledged
creed oil great OF OF tne WnOlc Union,
and for twenty years afterwards made The Presidents OF
the United States Madison and Monroe, Nicholas aud
Taylor, confessed them; and at later day, inferior TO
none OF them, arose John Randolph. With mind pow
enul yet eccentric, a bright II often vast he
stood alone amongst Before his proud and blazing
spirit, IN its fierce and keen rencouDters IN debate
scarcely any dared 10 stand. Like the sword OF
Saladin II could cut asunder the cushion OF down,
cleave the helmet of bis adversary lie spoke like other
edge OF men. and with prophetic wisdom IN affairs OF
State. When sick, and almost dying-ior his life
long disease-he aroused ~ his retirement by
General Jacksons proclamation Ii said TO be writ
ten by MIR Livingston, formerly republican, bat who
IN this proclamation, surpassed Alexander Hamll-
ion himself IN his consolidation doctrines. But few
years before he had delivered speech Foote's resou
lion in the Senate and drew forth the commentator OF
Mr. Jefferson Tor the sound State rights principles il
tanned and defended. John Randolph remained
changed in bis political prncplcs-unchaDged in bis al.
legiance TO Virginia. He attended public meeting in
the OF Charlotte and, although unable 10 stand ad
dressed the people from his chair and offered the follow
ing resolutoDst
Rssotred, That Virginia Is, and ought TO be. free,
sovereign and independent State that she became by
her separate which has been recognised by
the civilized world. and has never been dtsayowed,
uacted, In wise impaired OF weakened 10y any sub
seqpent act OF hers.
and common welfare Virginia entered into strict league
OF suy and alliance with tho other twelve colonies of
British North America, she pared with portion OF her
sorrssgntv, although, from the necessity OF the the
aohory To enforce obedience thereto certan
and for certain purposes delegated 10 the agents
oil the whole conlederacy.
Hs,otrd, That Virginia has parted with the right
10 feca he authority delegated, for good aud sufficient
ana 70 seeedc from the oonfederacy whensoever she
snsu nhn 'ne dement's OF Union exceeded by It's evils