Southern standard. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1851-1856, 1852-01-17


light and guide, furnished by the wisdom and pa
triotism of revolutionary fathers, in one of the
darkest and most stormy periods of our Republic
doctrines whose advocates have been trium-
plant since, over consolidation and fedora
lism, whenever they have openly dared to assail
the rights of the States.
Speaking on this subject in his thoughts ON lot
teres, Mr.. Jefferson said
"Their usurpatons and violations
of the constitution at that period, and their ma
jorty in both Houses of Congress, were SO great,
SO decided, and SO daring, shat after combating
their aggressions, inch by inch, without being able
in the least to check their career, the republican
leaders thought it would be best for them to give
up their useless efforts there, go home, get into
their respective legislatures, embody whatever Of
resistance they could be formed into, and if inef
fectual to perish there as an the last ditch. All,
therefore, retired, leaving Mr.. Gallatin alone in
the House of Representatives, and myself in the
Senate, where then presided Vice President.
Remaining at our posts, and bidding defiance to
the brow beatings and insults by which they
deavored to drive off also, we kept the mass of
republicans in phaanX together, until the legisla-
lures could be brought up to the charge and
nothing ON earth is more certain, than that if my
self particularly, placed by my office of Vice-Pre-
sident at the head of the republicans, had given
way and withdrawn from my post, the republicans
throughout the Union would have given up in de-
spair and the cause would have been lost forever
By holding on, we obtained time for the legisla-
lures to come up with their weight; and those of
Virginia and Kentucky particularly, but more es
pecially the former by their celebrated resOLutions
SAVED the constitution at ats last gasp. No person
who was not a witness of the scenes of that gloo-
my period, can form any idea of the affecting per-
secutions and personal indgnities we had to brook
They saved our country, however"
The desperation of the occasion called for
prompt and efficient measures. The Republican
leaders in despair, had left the Halls of Congress
" to embody whotever Of resistance could be found
in their respective Legislatures, and if inefec-
taaI to perish there as IN the last ditcA." Nobly
did Virginia take her stand the outer wall not,
as she has been shamefilly misrepresented by
some, by petition, remonstrance and protest, -
looking alone to change in public opinion-not
as a cringng supplicant, denuded beggar, strip
ped of the last vestige the spirit of freedom, did
she speak. No. no no! Venerated mother of
States-thou "Niobe of nations yet unborn
from the untarnished record of the past, let thy
voice, once again speak, as it then spoke, the
chained thoughts to which the spirit of freedom
gave defiant utterance
" ResOlved, That the General Assembly of Vir-
ginia doth unequiyocaHy express firm resolution
to maintain and defend the Constitution of the
United States, and the Constitution of this State,
against every aggression either foreign domestic;
and that they will support the Government of the
United States IN all measures warranted by the
former.
q That this Assembly most solemnly declares a
warm attachment to the Union of the States, to
maintain which it pledges its powers and that for
this end, it is their duty to watch and oppose
eUery ATTRACTION of these principles CIich constitute
the only basis Of that Upion-because faithful
observance of them can alone secure its existence
and the public happiness.
That this Assembly doth explicitly and perenep-
torly declare that it views the powers of the Fed
eral Government as resulting from the compact to
which the States are parties, as limited by the
plain sense and intention of the instrument con-
shutting that compact, further valid than
they are authorized by the grants enumerated in
that compact and that in of a deliberate,
palpable and dangerous exercise of other powers,
not granted by the said compact, the States who
are parties thereto have the light and in duty
bound, to interpose for arresting the progress OF
the evil and for maintaining within their respective
limits, the authorities, rights and liberties apper-
tanning to them. "
She not only 'resolved !" but she prepared
by deliberate, legislative action, to sustain her
resolutions. She Immediately passed the follow
ing acts
AN ACT, to preserve tie Freedom Of Speech, and
Proceedings IN tie Legislature.
PASSED December IS, 1881
WHEREAS freedom of speech and proceedings
appertaineth of right to the General Assembly, and
the preservation thereof is necessary to secure the
liberty of the people:
SECTION l. BE enacted That if any person
shall arrest or prosecute or be aiding abetting
of the Senate, or House of Delegates, for, or on
account of any words spoken or written, any prop
ostion made, or proceedings had in the said Sen
ate, or House of Delegates, every such person SO
offending, shall be deemed guilty of misdemean-
or, and shall be apprehended committed, and tried
therefor as in other cases of msdemeanors, be-
fore the general court, or district court of this
commonwealth, and being thereof convicted by the
verdict of jury, shall be adjudged to suffer i'm
prisonment for a term not exceeding one year. and
shall pay a fine, not exceeding two thousand dol
lars, which Imprisonment and fine shall be assess
ed by a jury.
SEC. 2. Amd be 1t further enacted, That if any
member members of the said Senate, or House
of Delegates shall be arrested or imprisoned for,
or on account of any words, spoken or written, or
for any proposition made, or proceedings had in
the said Senate or House of Delegates, such mem
Der or members may apply to the general court OF
a district court, any judge thereof, in vacation,
for writ of Habeas Corpus who are hereby en-