North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1852, 1851-06-28
1For the Standard

MAI. CALDWELL AND GEN. DOCKERY
Mr.. HOLDEN: Thinking that you would be desir-
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
which the South had as organized political commu-
mites to redress themselves. he regretted, and SIN
cerely regretted that sister State South Carolina,
was inclined to 'go Oft, that ne yet hoped that bet
ter counsels would prevail, and that she would stay
her action until the whole South was HketUise con-
WINGED that the North contemplated the further vio-
ation of those sacred domestic rights guaranteed to
them under the federal Cons ttuton. |
Them but until then, was he advocate for the
interpretation of the reserved nights of the States and
then but until then would he proclaim to the
world that ouerne necessity had called into exercise
State interposton protect its citizens from that in
evitable oppression which they saw ahead
Should ever that time arrive, he for proclaimed
from the house top, that State as an organized DO
liticaI community had that right Yes had the RIGHT
to withdraw " from compact which had been ex-
pressly violated and to set up for herself. And sir
said Mr. Caldwell, further maintain that the
else of this right IS not treason, Gen. Dockerys
sertion to the contrary Notwithstanding.
TO prove his position he cited and produced the
journals of the Federal Conventional that very boz
DIV of men who made the Constitution. He show
ed from the journals, that both Mr.. Randolph and
MIR. Patterson, had each distinctly submitted prop
osition give the President the power to call forth
the force of the Union, against any member of the
Union failing 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 this occasion, where he declared that no
such power ought to be given, that the exercise of
the power would be regarded by the States as
declaration of war and not niction of punish
ishment; - that the States could be kept to-
gether by force, and he showed that upon Mr.. Madi-
sons motion, this monstrous federal heresy strick
en- out.
|
stated 20 be dsproved. The proof 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 in the people-that they
had created and they could destroy. He admit
ted that for the purposes for which the trust powers
conhded that II was to all intents and purposes
a government and obligatory upon the people ; that
even the Legislature of State, Shy 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 to1Congress, he would
vote the President men and money to carry out the
| fugitive slave law in Vermont and Rhode Island
I 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 get This poooer,
and yet deny that the Government coerce State
into obedience? ."
Sir said Mr.. Caldwell. cannot you perceive that
there is an essential difference? l cannot, said the
General, perceive any difference.
l will tell you. Vermont or Rhode Island by this
act of theirs, have claimed the right the pro-
gress of the law, and at the time enjoying
the benefits of other laws in other words, they
willing reap its advantages, but not willing
be subjected to any of its inconvenience.
II Who ever heard CT such copartnership that?
And just was notification they were both for
being in the government and out of the government
at the time, perfect political absurdty; but
such is not the with sovereign State when
she interposes her sovereignty and wihdraws from
tho TIniO the is flpnn
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 eVinced from
his very looks and manner, that lights had burst
upon his beclouded intellect. His very rmness of
purpose" seemed fer moment to leave him, and we
did hope that his strength of inteect" suffi-
cient enable him to comprehend the diffeenUe-but
no-you might as well have attempted to have made
the General see chiggres eye in the sunshine. But
Il lie. the General speak for himself, and wheth
er in reality We have moderated his intelligence;
for what We now state is substantially true, and we
appeal to those who heard him.
, The General commenced his reply stated that he
taken by surprise that he ad prepared Speech,
supposing that MIR. Caldwell would travel~ove the
same at Mecklenburg, but at all events, he would
do the best he could.
lie stated that the issue submitted was but one ;
that rode all former party issues; that the very
salvation of the Union depended upon the in
which it settled, and that little rested upon
This District that, bordering upon South Carolina, it
was margin District and therefore important one,
, and that the people should look we'll to it.
He denied that the States were sovereign He
stated that they never were Sc 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 sorry that sister State about to with
draw; feared she would, hoped she would not; but
if elected Congress- he would, after trying every
/. other means, vote the President both and money
to 1Uhip her back Yes, says the General, will, in
the last resort, send the biggest ~ gun ship in the
Navy and sir, will go further than this, l would
vote employ the force of the nation against
ecise the right of Withdrawing from this s. glorious
: | Government"
When the General came to wind up, although he
admitted at the that it party question,
u yet he stated expressly that he wanted the present
parties kept alive, for the reason (says the General,
if quarreing among ourselves we will not
be as likely to abuse the North, nor would she be sc
likely abuse the South but the contrary, if we
are all united at the South, we 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 s e orious Gov
ernment.'
As the General declared that he would vote
men and money to - whip' in sister State, and
s.even his State,'' you could general feel
ing of indignation; for it is doctrine that finds few
n supporters in either party. -..-
s AS soon as the speaking over, you might see
the effect which Mr.. Caldwell's Speech produced
s The warmest Wigs who were present and who hat
S always heretofore voted with the party openly de-
a cared that thew wo0ld nor could not, suDDor