Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1853-10-14
A.
~ Si''t'Et"! -! go ''
STATE. RIGHTS

The Southwestern and Other papers ol The SANG
stamp ale aitavong 10 create lie impression hG State
ights nan must necessarily bet t=aEi2nis II such 5s
tc tact men was Madison Jeic:son Jayin word, eysry
distinguished republican from The days the revolution
The present ie iisunoust. All were Srs5-r'ahls r1eD
and regarded .lr 0 them IS The very cornt
stone OF system OF government,
When The colonies separated from Great Britain i:,
formed llern tlaInc and independent States ard
free rciin apart tey had proper 10 30 So Thes3
inlcpf!cn. u;ii sovereign SI: gh of Juv liz
opted he articles I" confederation in which the so;:
reignf ee1 and independence" o each fully euarsu
tied. In 1851 The present constitution WAS adopted, whS
Is merely au.r!pCnt OF TIE articles Of confeteF5
This consultation framed in convention By the
of the sovereign States OF the c0nIeJrTacy ard subsequently
ratified by highest sovereign caplcya
on Of delegates elected by the peoe To show The PEI
eHt independence OF the several STATES we have only 10 'c
The important historical fact that North Carolina did
not ratify the constitution for Three yeats aud might II ss
had proper have remained ou The present hour
Some OF the other States remained out OF The Union oi
time account OF scrupcs respecting OF lfe
features Of the government.
The constitution OF the United States specifies Distinctly
the powers o The federal eovernnaal and declares that tc
powers delegated tei States By This cohstiu
tion prohibited hy 1t 10 the Staes reserved tc
States respectively or 10 The people The o;
the United States hcn exercise powers except such
IS are distinctly specified In tn. onsulion ceary
necessary into c:c: ,ihe specified powers and
whenever any branch OF Tie federal trnnscerds
the Ultimate authority OF The constitution end ias b!fingrs
upon the .his The States such ac!s have binding
force, and properly h' carried into effect. A. Vi.
JrrsOn declared they arG ultO ether r0i and ioc:
The truth is The doctiinc o Stale rlghs is doctrine d
the constitutions BY all the eang democrat.
politicians IN the Lnun Mr. Cushing in lis speech atc'S
delivered al Wilmington, Delaware said
"lha geatenea-ih1t much abused and much nlsunjer
stood doctrine OF The tights OF The Salas-tha glorious
grand aud sublime conception OF the cuequa rights OF nc
States, in the presence Of The other which to-day is
called secession, and disunon whatever mare
0 reproac wise man may NJ 10 sanaer it, that Isl
iru the original cardinal! spirit ut The constitution of ts
United Slaes,"
But dsuni0nia because he believes the rights
Of the Sates Far from IT, Flo ~ The only friend Of
The constitution The government Of The Union The only
possible way 10 pepeuae government Is 10 preserve
the rights Of The States in the language Of Mr. Madison
The Virginia resolutions OF 19S faithful observance Of
he principles Of the constitution can alone It's esis
and The public happiness
Each Of The Sa!cs O this Union has reec. government;
and they alnrd The main protection persons and
perty OF the citizens The laws and institutions Of
State arc alouud US about We look lhe prote-
lion and fer the security Of lives and happincse Tic
government urltcd States is distant from Us-haa
little IL do with daily pursuits and with our ordiaI
y interest; but still il is important IL attends 10 all ic-
!n matter: and all matters Uf ecHtla concern ha
iion,
e5dt prevails in minds that co..
would ali TO pieces ii rol held together by orco
80 iurce could Keep The States together if they desire
separation The Cn,on, in such event. uou1 prove
~ rope oil sand TIE uaGn formed ii the nrsi icC
~ choice and interest," and II continues from M
same motives. What led Texas apply for admission
the Union Interest, choice. she could have main
ainc her Independence but she preferred union "h ;he
and Stripes for defence particularly, bui her inter
aud the happnes CT her people would be promo
ted hy annexation.
II tic doctrine Stale rights carried fuiiy In ;3
administration Of the general government system nigh;
safely extended the whole n this contineneac
local community, with liz local laws ard Institutions, and
general government attend TO The general affairs of the
Iaon ry,cnl and internal Sk1..Tis s.!i IS nc 81
!, :: iGe ITr.a,