Weekly North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1858, 1851-07-02
For the Standard. I

Mr.. HOLDEN: Thinking that you would be desir-
ous to have correct version of the debate here on
Saturday, now attempt to give it.
Mr.. Caldwell opened the discussion, and in frank,
clear and able manner, stated the theory of the Gov
eminent as understood by him and the State Rights
party, both Wings and Democrats. He proclaimed
that there was no party issue involved but that both
and all agreed that the South had been wronged and
the only question presented was, to the right
which the South had as organized political commu-
mites to redress themselves He regretted and s:n-
cerely regretted tina. sister State South Carolina
was inclined to go off, that he yet hoped that bet
ter counsels would prevail, and that she would stay
her action until the whole South was kke,oise con.
vlnced that the North contemplated the further vio
ation of those sacred domestic rights guaranteed to
them under the federal Constitution.
Ihcn but not until then, he advocate for the
interPositon Of the reserved nights of the States and
then but not until then would he proclaim to the
world that orerung necessity had called into exercise
State interposton protect its citizens from that in
evltabe oppression which they ahead.
Should ever that time arrive, he for proclaimed
from the house top. that State as an organized po
i't'cal community had that right Yes. had the right
pressly violated and to up for herself. And sir,
said Mr. Caldwell. further maintain that the exer
else of this right is not treason, Gen. Dockerys
sert!on to the contrary Notwithstanding.
10 prove his position he cited and produced the
journals of the Federal Goa ven.ion-of that very bo-
dy of men who made the Constitution. He show
ed from the journals, that both Mr. Randolph and
Mr. Patterson. had each distinctly submitted prop
osition to give the President the power call forth
the force Of the Union, against any member of the
Union falling to fulfill its duty under the articles
| thereof ;" These are the very words. And he read
from the same journals the Speech which Mr.. Mad-
son made on this occasion, where he declared that
such power ought to be given, that the exercise of
the power would be regarded by the States '' as
declaration of and not as an niction Of punish
hat he Stato ho kont f0.
gether Gy force. and he showed that upon Mr.. Madi-
sons notion this monstrous federal heresy ,cas src
en- out.
Here, said Mr.. Caldwell. challenge what have
stated 70 be d'sProved: The proy thus adduced had
its effect upon the audience.
Mr. Caldwell affirmed that the States which form
ed this Government were sOvereign and had never
parted with their sovereignty; that all sovereignty
rightly understood was in the people-that they
had created and they could destroy. He admit
ted that for the purposes for which the trust powers
were conded, that to all intents and purposes
government and obligatory upon the people that
even the Legislature of State, "by no enactment"
could render a law of Congress null all owed it
obedience and that obedience could be enforced.
AT this point he was asked by General Dock
cry, whether, if elected to Congress, he would
vote the President men and money to carry out the
fugitive slave law in Vermont and Rhode Island!
Yes, said Mr.. Caldwell, will give him both men
and money to whip them, and to whip them badly.
Where then, again ask. do you ge, TIL. po;uer,
and yet deny that the Government can coerce State
into obedience!
Sir, said Mr.. Caldwell. cannot you perceive tha,
there is an essential difference! l cannot said the
General, perceive any difference.
Well, then, really believe you cannot-therefore
will tell you. Vermont Rhode Island by this
act of THEIRS have claimed the right the pro-
gress Of the law, and at the time are enjoying
the benefits of other laws in other words, they
willing to reap its advantages but not willing
he Snh Cipdf tn 0f Its
| Who ever heard Ct such copartnership as that!
And just so was notification; they both for
being in the government and out of the government
at the same time, perfect political absurdity; but
such is not the case with sovereign State when
she interposes her sovereignty and withdraws from
the Union she is then longer in the government,
enjoys of its Benefits and is therefore subject
none of its coercion.
Cannot you perceive the difference now sir (asked
Mr. Caldwell.) The General seemed in reality per-
fectly embarrassed and confused, and evnced from
his very looks and manner, that lights had burst
upon his beclouded intellect. His very frmness of
purpose" seemed for moment to leave him, and we
did hope that his strength of intellect" was sui
cient to enable him to comprehend the dierence-but
no-you might as we'll have attempted to have made
the General see chiggres eye in the sunshine. But
let the General now speak for himself and wheth
er in reality we have underrated his intelligence;
for what We state is substantially true, aud we
appeal to those who heard him.
| The General commenced his reply stated that he
was taken by surprise; that he had prepared Speech
supposing that MIR. Caldwell would travel over the
same as at Mecklenburg, but at all events, he would
do the best he could.
| lie stated that the issue submitted was but one
that it rode all former party issues that the very
salvation of the Union depended upon the manner in
which it was settled and that little rested upon
this District that, bordering upon South Carolina,
margin District, and therefore an important one
and that the people should look we'll to it.
uoI nioAe ebu<f ri, Stotoo Ss Ho
stated that they never were " sovereign. not even
under the articles of Confederation that North Car
olina in coming into the " Union -" had parted with
her sovereignty. He stated that We owed allegiance
to the General Government and not to the States.
He was sorry that sister State was about to with
draw feared she would, hoped she would not; but
if elected to Congress- he would, after trying every
other means, vote the President both men and money
to 0hip her back Yes, says the General, will, in
the last resort, send the biggest "a gun ship in the
! Navy; and sir, l will go further than this, would
h vote employ the force of the nation against
my osvn State, any State who should claim 10 ex-
ercise the right of withdrawing from this glorious
Government
When the General came to wind up, although he
admitted at the start that it was party question,
yet he stated expressly that he wanted the present
parties kept alive, for the reason, (says the Generai
if we are quarreling among ourselves We will not
be as likely to abuse the North, nor would she be so
likely to abuse the SOUTH but the contrary. if we
are all united at the South, will abuse them too
much, and then they will abuse the South. and this
will be most likely to destroy this glorious Gov
eminent" Yes, gentlemen, it is glorious Gov
ernment"
As soon as The General declared that he would vote
men and money to " whip" in sister State, and
seven his OWN S,ate.' you could see general feel
ing of indignation; for it is doctrine that finds few
supporters in either party.