Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-10-29
SOME INSTANCE.


might cite the opinion OF very many
Of the fathers on this point to show the
unfounded character OF the claim, but
| one or two instances must suffice mere.
One OF these is from that great editor Of
this CITY. Thomas Richie, a Democrat OF
| Democrats, who wrote " No man or
, association Of men, nor State or set OF
States, has Il right TO withdraw from the
| Union Of its own accord. The same
power which knit us together can alone
unknlt. Tho same formality which
formed the links of the Union is neces-
sarv to dissolve It. The majority of the
States which formed the Union must
consent to the withdrawal Of any one
! branch Of it. Until that consent has
| been obtained any attempt TO dissolve the
| Union or obstruct the efficacy OF It's
constitutional laws is treason-treason
to all intents and purposes. And then
we have the declaration OF Presldeht
Andrew Jackson, in a case somewhat
similar to that which confronted Presl-
dent Lincoln in 1861. President jack
son wrote: "Ihe laws of the United
States must b. executed. l have no dis
cretionary power on the subject. my
duty is emphatically pronounced IN the
1 Constitution. Those who have told you
you might peaceaby prevent their tine
| laws) execution deceived you. AND
added "disunion, by armed force. Is
treason" its (the country's) tr't
magistrate could not, if he would, AVOID
/ the performance OF this duty.
cALHoUN's TEACHINGS.
From the time of the adjournment OF
the convention that framed the Constiin-
ton down to 1860, more than seventy
vears OF our national existence, no serl-
ous claims were made for this night.
Under the teachings however, OF John
c. Calhoun, great political leader OF
south Carolina, and q loglclan OF no
moan pretensions, the claim was SET up
that a State could nullify and set at de-
/ fiance the laws of the Union with I'M
/ punity. But President jackson soou
mt an end to that heresy, and but for
the interference of Mr.. Clay and others
in bringing about compromise OF the
difficulty would have put an end 10 M
/ Calhoun-a ropes end. Oh, but you
say Virginia had right to secede. she
reserved the right to do so when she en-
tered the Union. Well, let us see aDoul
/ this. Here is what Virginia declared
on that occasion
ave. the delegates of the people OF
Virginia, do in the name and on behalf OF
the people of Virginia, declare and MAKE
known that the powers granted under the
Constitution being derived from the PEG
pie (what p of the United States, may DC
resumed by them whenever the SAME
shall be perverted to their injury or op.
preston, and that every power no,
granted thereby remains with them anu
at their will
This declaration is not only undls-
puted. but indisputable. 1t contains a
principle that lies deep down In the
heart of every true patriot IN the lahu.
But, as applied to Virginia, oil, u.
Figures OF speech" and high-howiI
phrases were but as sounding brass and
tinkling cymbals, signifying nothing,
She had no power TO make conui-
tions if she mad been so disposed, ana
as Dir. Madison tells us, did not al
tempt it. 1t was simply satety-vaive
for the escape of little surplus steam'
and to let it off could hurt no one.
MADIsoN's OPINION.
II having occurred TO some member
OF the New York Legislature that i
might be well to leave such valve opel
for New York, Mr.. Hamilton wrote t'
MIR. Madison, asking him whether con
ditional ratification could be made. Mr
Madison replied no that the ratification
had to be complete or not at all; ina
there could be no conditional ratiiica
ton. He added that the matter mac
been preached at Richmond, but iai,
aside Is impracticable, OK words to tina