The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-01-09
A NOTABLE SPEECH.
John Randolph Tucker at Jackson,
He Addresses tho Mis- sissippi State
Bar Association
On tho Constitution, It's Origin,
Nature and Tendencies.
He Defines the Government Based
Upon tho Constitution
And lnterprets the Meaning OF It's
Founders to Be Ono OF Confeder-
ated States and Not Ma
tion OF Individuals.

JACKSON, Miss, Jan. S.-llon. J. Ran
dolph Tucker Of Virginia, delivered the
annual address TO the Mississippi State
Bar Association at the Representatives
Hall last night, when, in addition 10 the
association, was gathered large crowd of
ladies and citizens generally. Mr..
Tucker was introduced by Judge II. A.
Hill. lie spoke an hour and half on
'the constitutional system Of the United
States; its origin, nature and tendencies"
lie dwelt at length and with marked
ability on the relation OF the States 10 the
Federal Government, rcasserting the old
Estates rights" doctrine, arguing from the
original compact between the States and
the Constitution afterwards adopted, that
the government Ii a Confederation Of
States" and not ''nation OF individuals. "
lie pleaded earnestly Tor the supremacy Of
the Constitution. lie said: 1T was
u noble experiment" and asked elias
its success verified the expectations Of our
ancestry? Does It's present tendencies in
spire hopes for future beneficial effects, in
securing the liberty Of the people aud pro.
noting the progress and glory OF the COM
monweaths in their united dcsiiny2" In
answer he claimed that the original pur-
poses of the founders of the government
had not been supported; that the tenden-
cics are 10 Capitalization aud tho opprcs-
sion Of the many 10 elevate and enrich the
few; that while the union may be indis-
sJlvable, yet Il may die from corruption, a
threatening danger which all true patriots
must earnestly cndcavor 10 avert. After
delineating in most forciblo terms and
with sound logic, the general features
| Of our government, lac enumerated some
Of the existing dangers, whose
tendencies arc TO destroy. Among them,
he contendcd, is tho decay in the fedora
ton principle, in the tendency 10 adopt
the idea Of nationality instead OF fedora
ton; the growth Of a popular passion for
the imperial splcndor of the government;
the tendency TO central power, ignoring
| the sovereignty Of the States AMI their TO-
served power; the vast accumulation of
wealth with It's unequal distribution and
the method by which. through the agency
Of q powerful Government, these results
may be greatly aggravated under the
manipulation Of legislative bodies and
rings; and the burden borne 10y the tax
paying masses under the system oi indi.
rect taxation, mncsing immense revenues
in the treasury which h easily cmpticd for
schemes of apparontpublc advantages. but
really for personal enrichment. Each
Of these dangers ho set forth In
graphic detail. lie called attention
TO what he termed "thc modern
use OF two powers Of the Federal Govern
mont, that OF taxation aud appropriation"
lilo said: "fhcse make usurpation OF power
moro easy because 30 agreeable 10 combn-
tions Of interests and yet impair the or
gnnism Of our system, while they insidu.
ously load the people with oppressive bur
dcns." lie argucdagainst aprotcctiye tariff
and for an economic expenditure Of pub
lie moneys. lie spoke In dcrision OF some
Of the reconstruction legislation. lie AL.
yertcd 10 many other tendencies toward
centmlization.
lie said 10 the bar "ln your past his.
tories you have furnished 20 the Union
noble examples of heroes, etntcmen. iuren-
sic advocates and constitutional jurists
let me urge the supreme importance upon
you Of standing for the defense Of the true
principle Of constitutional government
We are threatened with n paicrnal Gov
eminent at Washington 10y reason of the
new theory that the Union is one Nation,
Of which the States arc fractional parts,
and that the inherent powers Of national.
ity belong 10 the Central Government
original and not delegated The peculiar
interests Of our Southern society should
have and retain a. much representation ~
possible In the Government Tor III sell pro-
lection. Any scheme which will diminish
our representation Is porilous 10 OUT se-
curily. The South has pen mighticr
than her sword, let her Weld her pen and
liil her voice for the victory Of truth. let
demagogues defy error aud die, let the
South DEFY truth and triumph"