Columbia telescope. (Columbia, S.C.) 1819-1821, January 09, 1829, Image 2
destroy sovereignty, and tbfwewi of subsis
teoee. Denythis right, mm) >uu take torn
us a plivikKr enjoyed fnm thr fiitt breath
log of sovereignty, and, without whl^h, th?
m*te might lit* ciushcd, by an overwhelm
ing Mk'.tm like an unoffendingvassal befort
the throne of majesty.
But, it may, alto, be thought that a st?t<
excise would conflict with that part of thi
constitution which provide* that, "nostatt
ah.til, without the content ?f Congress, la>
any imposts, or duties on im|H>rts and ex
ports, except what may be necessary for ex
etutliiK its inspection laws." One moment')
reflection will satisfy you, that this has n<
bearing either intimate, or remote, on thi
right in question. The clause, merely,
transfers to the general government, a jk>w.
er enjoined hy the states under the article)
o: ontcdr ration: this wasdone by theconven<
t?on, lor reasons the moat conclusive, and foi
pnrpostt the most salutaty. But to return
would a state excise levied indiscriminate!)
upon foreign and domestic articles, operati
as ? tax upon import*? What is an import!
A thing imported. What is h tax ujmn im<
portsMt ts a duty levied on a thing im/iortr<li
secured iKtoie the iiutxnter is permitted U
exert un act of ownership over it, wliirlt ta?
Is paid by the consumer. We admit, that?
st.tte cannot tax an im|>ort, us such, while it
retains that distinctive character. Why
n if Bee..use it it under the protection ol
tlu- xencrul government, to which it has paid
a tax, by way of consideration, for ccititiii
i?r?v ilegen enjoyed bv the importer: it fol
low*, t lien, that ?tate taxation, in sutlt In
stances, can only operate when the article
loses the character of an import,bv mingling
with tnc continon stock of the citizen. But
the |>ower we claim, you perccivc, does not
imriuge that of the union?the one only
begin*, where the ether ends??c do nut,
cither in principle, or in fact, violate the
clause prohibiting the Mate to tux imports.
We only claim the right of taxing the pro
perty of our own citizens, regardless so far aa
the inlicient power to tax in conccmcd,
whether the article sprung from the soil of
Cub.t, >r of Georgia?whether it came by
o< eiiM,or by land, by port, or by contra-hand.
Tht (.nly (pit Minn for the Legislature is,
whether, the.>rticle is within the legitimate
bCop> of state taxation, or not. 'I here in
this characteristic differente between a f??
reign article, liable U> it custom house tax,
and such as xre pr?Klured,nn(l manufactured,
Wit bin tUe United Slates, The former, by
virtue of a tax paid the general government,
is exempt from taxation while it remains in
tin- actual or tonstru tive possession of the
importer, us an import: the lattei, having
p. id no tax, enjovs no stirb protection, hut
is immediately subject to state legislation:?
in a wind, it is precisely the same as a fo
reign urtu le after it has passed fiom the
hands of the impoitei, ai d lost the distinr
tive character of .nt import. It is < lear, that
an ext ist* upon .irtielcs m ami fat t ured or pro
ducts. in a sifter state, is not such a tax up
on i xjn.rts, as tne vlft scvuwii 01 im ?
t '?Mil the constitution prohibits; norisit
mii h a tax upon imports as conflicts with the
cl.iu'e ? f the constitution in question, or in
ant manner, or dcgi ee, abridges tluyight of
state taxation.
A state cxtiso may be th. tight, by some, I
to niti rfere w.th the ex? lukive powerof Con- I
grcss "to regulate commerce between ft>
retail nations, mul anions tin* several sUtci"/
By iriiciiigthe nulijcclihtou^liutl its bciriijgs
m.el ii?niittc?tiun> Mich may m n remote dc
grie, lie imagined to be its efl'et ts. )o fact,
taxation in any shape,unit in every modifi
cution (if it, m?y be Mid to tramel, to a cer
tain extern, the operations oi' comment;
but wii< li is not the way to test tike question:
we hli' Ulcl take it U|>on In ond, coustnutlMlMl
giound: remcmbi r Ihe origin und principles
<ii our g>\ernmeut: the elifctmrtivc features
of federal ami Mate sovereignty : the rupee-1
ti\e spheres of action prescribed to eacht
und, al?'?ve all, the history and object of tue^
clause in debate. Tne principle coutainciK
in thiNcjaUse was the lunmitting incentive to
tne federal convention; and >t \v<uld not be
CXtr.o.igant to ?a\, that to it we are, ch:t fly,
indebted for the constitution of th?- union. *
Under the confederation, the states had the
ngnt t) iemulate commerce, the eonsc
qui nee wan a coinnn rcial strife which
an.it kled commerce, und rent the confede
racy. Measures ol retaliation Und refuge
the mokt unequal, oppressive, and grinding,
?wire alien ding the affections uf the state*,
and inflaming the heartkof the ptopie. The
crcdit of the union was hunk?it* revenue
pieearioui?-and its plighted faith u bubble
?-t I test crying evils called for immediate
remedy?amidst thi* contusion and disma),
with domestic tr <de shackled?foreign coni
n.eiee declining?treaties disregarded?
comnact* violated?in shoi-t, when the
or tiie revolution was depurtittg,
states, themselves, ?tHiting from
bits it was eoiikide red necessary that some
th tug effectual sh-uld lie do^ei (o save the
honor and freedom of the confedetecy. The
wist loin of the age saw the necessity of u
more encrfptic government, pan .1 nlarly in
regard to commerce and revenue?the result
vras a convention; and, iti.ong "th r 1 ow
thai of reguiulhtff commerce was c nsiuercd
one of the nu?t important to an efficient
genei al government. But, while we ?ee and
admit the alisoute necessity for the exclu
sive exert ise 01 this powei by Congress, we
cannot imagine how a state excise can come
in constitutional col'ision with it. On the
conti ar>, we cleiirly perceive how all the
valutitrv, constitutional, commercial opera
tions < I thegencrulgovernment may be pro*
motet!, simultaneous with tnetax. Indeed,
these powers have been contemporaneously
practised, under the respective governments,
ever since their foundation. We profess
not, now, to contend for a new p<twer?we
only < Inm the simple right ol tax dion by
way of excise?a right atwaye enjoyed b\
the state, and never before qtteeilonctl. it
conceded thst it may he levied ?i onearti
eh , it follows that it htny be levied on
tin re being nothing to prohibit such CXten*
ei'au if conceded to tne anv-unt of Super
cent, it fnllowa that it may be encreased to
twit !? twenty?to any extent?for the riglit
of *axatKm, once conceded, is, from its na
ture unlimited. It it tree, there it some
? The otyeet of the partial aoavratiaa ef
iVI#fst#?.si Aunsfr'lis,waste i?*>v?le wore
taally. tar the emmmtttUl interest oI th* union
jUiiSUMt'd e g' n*>r?l rrvitioa ?f th# srtiel> ?
^^WlfrtifrstNMi, wbKh r**ult?d In the fc>f0*t?oe
of the ptesent coo*titeti<m of the Ueited fetste*.
thing plautible la the argument, that a tax*
or excrac, upon a commercial commodity to
I the extent to prevent its tale within thr
state, to an unconstitutional interference of
Mate legislation, with tht exclusive |kw?w of
Congress tn regulate commerce. But,if we
iet out with the position, that the reserved
(towers of the state, in regard to taxation,
are unlimited and can show that in question
to be one of them{ and, that the. power* re
served, on that subject, are limited
only by the prohibition no to import* and
export*, we will, instantly, see that u com
mercial rommoditv may l>e taxed, even to
exclusion, without violuting the cluusc of the
constitution which give* Congress the power
"to regulate. commerce between foreign
nations, and among the several states." In
'truth, it woeild not be difficult to imagine a
case in which the state* by virti?. of the
taxing power, might, without u fialfiabie
violation of the constitution, so far exclude
all commerce, unto destroy the revenue aris
ing from im|H>sts to the general government:
an indiscriminate tax by way of excise, to
prevent the sale of certain articles within
the state, could be made to' producc this
effect. If it be true, to tax a commercial
commodity, by state legislation, is an uncon
stitutional interference with the power of
Congress to regulate c? mmtrce, then have
we liecn in the constant violation of the con
stitution of the uniott: if it he not fmr, and,
as before said, slate taxation is unlimited,
sn\e in the instance prescribed Wy the con
stitution, it results that such commodity may
be taxed to any extent?e% en to prohibition.
That we have been in the constant cxcrcise
of thi* power, in the it list met, is apparent
from the annual tax of itoek In trailr. What
is this but a tux upon commeicial commodi
ties lor purpose* of revenue* May it not be
cncreased, at the discretion of tlie legisla
ture? Will any one say, even when carried
to-the utmost extent, that it is an iuterfcrcnr?
with the power of Congress t?> regulate com
merce, because it is a lax upon a commer
cial commoditt * The familiar case of uii
excise upon retailer* of ardent spirits is,
also, a tax upon an article of commerce; but
will nny tine presume to *av, that this, too,.
is uii interference with the |M<we? of emi
gres. to regulate con merce? I might, also,
inst.ince the* cice of pedlers who pay a tax
to the state to nuthoris' them to vend goods
in a particular way, and ask, whether this
is, also, an infringement nf the constitution of
the union.' Indeed, this principle ennied
to the extent contended for, by many, would
strike away, at onct, all the rights of state
taxation.
The constitutionality of such an cxcisc
would In tested by the supreme court: and
here a question arises: would it be c m: f
ti nt for tb it tribunal to pronounce the 1:?w
tjr///nnd voltl, when it w:i* not f.rima fitae,
a retaliatory measure.' Unquestionably not.
It is not within the constitutional province
of the judicial v tr be governed l>\, what tl?c\
may deem, trgnlatht Intention?tbey ran
their efetflWW'.i **> ? !>e influenced in
bah(r rffrcts of all act?their duty is To'iiftr?"
pret t(i- law as they find it-to be governed
by it* till'- .?ml the afi/iarr/it intention of its
Trainers?and not call that rrln'iaiory, which
purport* not 1t tie so, even if surh would be
itsiff.rts?i departure from thi* principle
w >tiId bi indicia/ /rffMuthnf and thai ki"d
'of dmrrrtf.n which I.otri Camden denoml
nafs, the /</?!? of tyrants. Hut a strong ar
gument in favor of the protection of surh a
law, finm the federal iudiriijrv, may be
drawn from the fact, that the tariff is in
vulnerable to any attack from that court.
Whv? Because, from its title it purpoii* to
be for revenue when it is in f.i< t, intcnihd
lor prohibition, which makes it, in spirit ami
efftct, direc tly hostile to the title it bears.
Upon the same principle, an excise law,
purporting to be-for revenue, but intended
for prohibition and retaliation, would b??
rfpnrtty secure from judicial interpretation?
J hi* K:ime shield which protcct* the one, pro
tects the other. The federal juilu iar\ could
not, without the most daring inconsistency
yid base corruption, prescribe to itaelf a
different rule of action in construing a state
law, from that ndopttd in the cunstructi<aiof
a law of the union. If this view of the sub
je? t l?e lorrect, a state excise, intended for
prohibition, hut cntithd a revenue art,
would Ik- just a<? secure from judicial attack,
astlie late tariff, which purports t?? promote,
what, in effert, it destroy#. The judges, in
i?oth instance*, sh? uld he governed l?v <hc
stern pt'imiple, iha* they can mil) judge of
tefrUtaHve Infcntfan hy the title of the Inw.
Perhap* 1 have dwelt loo long on the con
stitutionality of an excite of the kind in
it demands
ial
_ familiar fo the
"people. Nothing should be conceded or
concealed when an infernal spirit Ik at work
t" grasp the *crptrc of dominion: destroy the
so\erei/nt\ of (he spates, and to establish a
power, -it'the centre, moie hateful than des
potism. But, while I contend for the right
of the siatc to lay a prohibitory excise tax,
I am not prepared to admit its expediency.
So far an public opinion has been expte*scd,
in the section of the state i represent, there
is decided opposition to it Iti adoption
should not be dreamed of, without the active
eo operation of the princ pal plantation
states. Should South (.arnliua, alone, adopt
this policy, she would stand, like a Vulture
u|K>n a r*?ck, devouring herself. She would
either be cut off from all trade foreign and
domestic, or feel taxation, with n double
vengeance, in the shapo of n Tariff, and an
ejxeNe. In either event, the stiirit of her
I people would fail?the wheels of circul-ition
mo|>?-the wings of commerce he furled?
her streets and puhtii places become deso
late?nod the rank l grails wave in her vai*
lies. II?*r indign?tT?n wiuld be routed at a
rec.odectinn of her wro?-gs, and the stings
of *?// hi/lie lion, would goad Iter into mad
ness. Hy such u policy, ?he might bring
.dniMa the ay stem, wj}li all its rurse*, with
IjWlienjIt-tnte upon the heads of her own
cttisen^lrflBle our enemies would Ifttigh at
our ca,aniiFfHMMkdL',t fHr ^?"y ^ on id
not such a tax WC?*Wlul, be paid, exclu
sively. hv our own cltsMto? W011W it be
exjied'ent. or generous, t^>ey*liate upon
Ms tea, suffering liketynnny, mnbe violence
and e.Hmea 0# the government (She Unio- j
would not ataxofthls kind, it paMftourcn
sens be aagrlevoustobeborne? a* tw Inflic
ted hv the Tat Iff? Has It not brM^bdled n
Sta't Ttm/f?monofiofy inortjlrrt-^^uc
thn varuft Whether thus baptised)**
not* neb would be its effects. In the' lan
u?Ke ui a dlatiuguished executive of ?
neighbouring Mate?" Utile** widlUom)
birtkeni, relieve the over burthened, end
?elf infliction it retaliation, no beneficial
effects will How from Die power of iutc
UUUttNQ."
1 have, recently, seen en argument which,
Nt first, fttiuik. me <u somewhut plausiblt
It is that u judicious selection of excisable
articles, ut s rate uf taxation merely suffi
cient to prohibit the domestic, and Mint it
the foreign urtick, would encrease our for
eign commerce, and promote the consump*'
titio ofoui staple commodities. Thisestab
lishcd, and the expedieuc) of Mich a meas
ure would be manliest. 1 he position is pre*
dicutcd upon the hypothesis, thut our for
eign commerce could be co-existent with a
state excise, in cffcct, retaliatory. Prove
tins and we will with alacrity admit, thut
oui staples would, under huch circumstnn*
cck, be made to supply the place ol a circu
lating medium; aim tliut the importer, by
pa> mg lor impoi ts in the produce of ihe lm
porting countr), would return to the consu
mer in enhanced price and consumption,
something like at equivalent for additional
taxation.?-This miuikIs better in hpccuia
tion, tliu.ii it would answer m practice.?'The
argument, you obtvrve, protecds upon tliie
pimr.iplc ol ? commercial reciprocit) which
could not exist. The cAect of mii excise,
sufficiently hcavyto banish northern lubrict,
wouid. mcvitabi), drive tt? to the establish
meiit of manutactureiiul home?and, in pro
port .on a* U?ts t) it?m extended, mi would
the consumption of impoi u dimimsli, and
' tile demand ol our law material detune.?
| liven undci the mo*t lavoiable circumstan
I i eh, tuc movt snngum* can imagine, the sup
I pi) ol our raw material would, ver> lar, ex
II ecu the demand?the consequence would
be taxation, without an) returning iKNlllty
to tne cititeii?a uee leased, and decreasing
demand lorour jiioduee?with u consequent
desertion ol loreign and domestic commerce.
1 lie experiment m too dangerous for bouth
Carolina to mane?crushed and shuttered
a? she is?without lhe enthusiastic Cb-ope
i riUoiioi hue.li states us migiil, by a simulta
neous impulse, ueai e ? 11 oppression, and uurl
dow u the munstei ol cupid'ty lorcvci!
II, tin n, >t ih vain to petition and reiuuii
sti.tte?il ituu-coiiftUmptioii i evolutions me
iitelieetual?..nd a st ile excise inexpedient
?the proper alternative, (piovided tlieoo
iioxmuh meiiMirc in not imai.hed, oi repeal
ell,) Ihtt.'ri Alk CUKVMilloN. " \
Can #c nope lot .4 :e,.e.?i.' ii >s not pub
lic opinion neen made to Uear upon tile sutr
jeel, m e>ei} shape, Irom the nigli appeal
>1 stales, to 1 lie iiuiu'jIv petition 01 mdiv .du
.its' lias not reason .md passion?temon
mi ante, nd ..ibuimiit?entreat) and threats,
?icetl cxnauftUd' 1 uere is no car to hear
u??no heart u% feel lor out' w 1 oagft?no gt-n
eiohit) to icdiesh uieiti,?we have been ap*
peailn& to lOeks?winds ale as elii|,t) aft
echoes?patience is eXuaUhted?all tuat we
1 an do, in that suape, lias utcn done.?Avar
iee, h*ft no nem t?Us appetite glow s on w nut
---? C?. a..ir,'JiW4;
orr on Hie aieit? it Call I'll? v in %?.kin ||)
?t<ii in?illv wu) in conqucr u, i? to tear It*
itioi I l oin ilk i?? ul. l?ui me tttall ul uoith
IIII, allll WttDlilll UiJUhUU' iH'C. UOt COIitllltU to
.vmiiiia?iu?) u-ittt cxiviuua uty?.nd tue
W.UI11?(Ik ihui uiui b ol L?..bl.tial li<*ve r?ach
III U*?IICI CO|Up(ullll? M II, U'-UwUtk*, lie to
miiiic mute uinblt tu.hi nti tiiunutr, for
tin-; appeal t<> ??// tntertal, 1 trukt, mm
COUllUy ftlli Uklj MVill. i lit lUtC lUttiilllH
act in lai^lauil i? utsincd topioiluic n litiul
i fleet upon ?iur com me rend murine. by M
li'lil^ll lilll.agc llUt), llll|rtlMll III (MUV*
i|uviiu otuui 1 arm, tut* United Stales wilf
!u?c nit- c.?rr> mg umIv el our ni?|>te couun,
tiu txt'Oi t oi ? melt ttiiint, requires ?t te*sti
y lUtiiN. ui our shipping. i'rut, we ouy#J
i>) wit) ol i clall.il mo, put Mil nUditioila) tlflj
upon Lugiikh iiiauulMcturck ?ith * dimmuM
ed uut) wiicu conveyed in ouro*u>hip^jHf
tliu Mill not paliatc, much 1cm rcntedflHK:
cmI. The consequence will be,jkflRur
commercial ?iii(i ii.tv.il mui iirfdlfl^pride
uiul filmy of me nation jdj^pmrnly be
swept from thenceau,
it will, uls", reuq|HP?c! that nothing
but tlit recipr-itity traced luii, with the
condition annexed lowem ?t.ii, pice tuud
(jrcat ririlnin HtlMRtcuKni in Parliament,
from pawing u rdLliator) tux upon our cot
ton. Tliu cWmAui, alluded to, in that the
Mqffsvilvtd on tAcive month*
either party. Mr. ilunkihson
ku^ge-^j^^lnat the most manly couim
wouldjV to give the proper notice: ne s.n<!,
|lyprilic:pul exports of Amcrieu, to
tTTrewunti') , Were tobacco, lite, tolion, and
turpeiilhie, and that it would iHit l>e dilln ult
tor Iviglauu to Mipply herself from other
tpiartcrs lie, also, i marked, tlint while the
trade ol the United State* with lirea't iirit
ain, uisountt d to one half of titi the rxjiorl*
oj ifirlr own /irotl action, it homed only one
tixlft of the wnoletiadc ol England: and ap
pealed tn the miIkt and temperate ronside
ration of th<>?e who ought tu lie tiie rniersof
the derfiniesof tlie Uinteu State* to decide*,
wbethti it wm? a safe game for them to rule
one hutf ol their tiad?, in older to impede
KngUkd m a In am li ol commerte, wliith i?
only our ttxlh ut her whole foreign trade:
and concluded >iy kayiug that the United
Mates would, no douot, repent the day kht
adopted tins absurd policy.
Mr, lier.rctary Peel, urged the present
conduct of America mu a reakon for laying (he
foundation of a more extended tn.de uith
new market*, lie suggested the tn.'iacco nt
the West Indie?, the cotton ol Mnuil, and
the rice of India.
Ii m li??|?*4 thai IK* lhr*atnittg |toiirjt
?i ioi?iyi < ouutriM, mmiog in *<d??l juMn- oj.n,
??mi it h?m*, may ihHucik-* Hi* major ilg tn Cm ?
gf'H In th? ...n?lnull?n, nu<I ?>ur riy i?,
HimI ?nil ih< m to rffttora lh* t-uuu tj to j.iwf f
l?f kol ^?ar*
Hul. >U Ihn cur*>rjr revirw of lh? mran* of ra
mUM4, liate w? nut negUctrtl *w m?r* rfTectu
al llitat all/ Y??, lh*r* l? a la?t altvmatlV*, whiut
wrh#n all otlwri lull, luajr ><? rtilwrd to, a?l
?tiuit ?u< *?<l. I a Hud* lo lh# powar 01 tli* rt?(r
to b*M> hrr**ll iijh.ii hor toVMnfiitif, anJ n?l/|
th* unrtHtlilHliottal uf Ih* (Mitrul <<>\ j
riiKMuL, lh?n *r* riglil* r?a*?r??l r<>Mirttftin/
? |MftH? ol. ?Into w*?rrl(iiif<?Hirl? ran oly '?
??arp*d by ? ?|??ril of awl IH* *.t
|fiftrip(M ol ttif ptmU*H?n ?rn?l?i aaikorr
tnittolv* th? g<iv*n>m?ftt into it* i-rgi*
m+ttU iBOfiW U? ?loCawl IkiM. TW? >?
iNriM. It *?i ih? memmJ ol M, a<h?
t?lriarch* of c?}.uMwaii??m. ^?lnt It
o(lk? hlbf, now iwitr?4 la U?
lib* feotriM or it-im >** of
I breathed by IwiW, bio Uwml nf??
Tjie renin* whiab' dictated Ik* ?*????? *t iW
nld /niml administration la tl work in the re
l>ublie TIm spirit of tho alien awl sedition laur*
>im irim from It* lomb. D?*? lha gboa( of theii
? uihor (taunt tb? Or hat lb# manlle
?flan on hi* onljf ktgolttn sen Wt lira in sl'aage
ttmaa. We ere aae*e hthitHj Iba a?e: Waura
under lha dynasty of the allae ami eedilion lava
Our (o?rmn?Dl baa bark thirt'g yeera en
I Ha dim I plult a/ iimt Wa art with an enpirrd
cmtury Hi-1 there ara meeoa ol restoration ll
?a arilh lha |*opla to ?|>|>1y ilia correema.
After lha short, interrupted reflection I have
jiven thi* rubject, my opibion if. thai lha ar?*t
npfdirni ami |*opuler roirN would ha, to racom
mami to Ilia |?ople, if lha Tariff la do! repealed
? r modified; to appoint dalaKataa In pwH in coo
ventioo, after lha wil wwoa of Cuogres*. Par ?
hapa, il m?y Iw retorted that this look* like flinch
of from the cririM that it is returning ?|Mi Iba
people that responsibility which tbeyhiive thrown
nn u* Ba il aot nothing emu ba loat by such a
court*, whila maMthwn woakl ha risked by pre
cipitaricy When I speak of risk*, lat ll be dis
tinctly understood thai I allude not In personal
popularity?I taka no credit to myself when I any,
thai I wovld. umlar pro par circumstances, ha
proud 10 ii*k my property ami my lite much leas
my popularity for Iba hoau and safety oflha data.
Tha remark, you perceive, ia not matin with a
liauhliof senaibilily to personal reaultf, but in
(cltrtm* lo tha ttormt and c>ovul#ioos of tha
limes, and to lb* dangers which daah.lika billow*
against tha data. But. to ratura; abould lha re
racommaodatioo nf a convention ba unpopular,
lha |>aopU. by refusing lo appoint delegate*, will
laava Iba matter wbara ra found it IC an lha
contrary, a convention ba mpiikr.lhf paopla will
?and their agents specially charged with ?>n.o
manna of radreat, ar raaiatanca: tbta vary discos*
ion may maa to enlighten them on the subject
oTinstruetion. Evan, tha heestofore ' beedlese
voice nf ramonalranea, will atriko lb# aar of np
prc*?i?n with mora forao, aaoilaf, a? it qjjHmi
from iba paopla robad in original
eignJy, and should il bafloamad uecaaaery ./*r;
jwmiM>a*. that tha *4ata should aland on
reserved rights, and, by virtue of bar sovereignty,
pronounce tha ulknaive law nntfand M lh?,
?hould ha <b?a by iba paople, or tbair delera ta*.
in convention assembled Tha aonstltntion wa*
formed and ratiftail by convantion; Mere tn<! iKtrt
only in thia country, can wa Ind fba charm eon*
wy?d by the potent word *overaigntyi if thia ba
truo.it results lhat tha moat efleclM) mode of re.
lief retida* with the serci ihtm
l>e all lha power, and all thM^^Hhilily: tha
r>e?-i>1a, in thalr sovereirn napH^ |?o1iiieally
speaking ran dono wrnngj lhera|3Lr?rihly ihiw.
ar above thrm -?4v<>* iHipoli/uprdei.*' I differ
with Iba gentleman from Rirhmml. Mr Prcsti>n
who hold* that *4tvereisrnty r? <n the L?-gi.|n.
Inre It i* myopin on llini |NuH"unt rorereijtn
t V retiiUt not in the l<'Ktili(fl( n-ir In any. n?r
nil theilepnrtmenl* nf^nvafl^Bnt; '>nt inth" pro
pie. in thalr native. nrlgi^HfftMrncier ? I tru?t.
the nrrcct viaw i? that llUfSop|r ||?veonly <lelr>
rate?lto Hie |^eyislatur^Mar//on ?/tnrtrtignljf.
nn/ allutrrreifnljf T(MM ha* Itccn *ai<l tlmt
toverdrniy I* inlivjdjjp lh*t II canno' be?plil
into'ruction*, or lia^Kl by check*, ami that we
mu>t either ??y tha^Sa>i*l< nbtflnirlft in thr L>
pi?latlire, nr not at iH Thi* re?wnlnt would ?n ?
?w r better for n<9n^ic>. than for re->ubllc>
?ten?? unlmiltd poSjM'r mtri/e pur/min. with
on* i>ariinc wilnjd^Pmern or avan nny poirtr
over oH|<c|* n<>t igH^ntrd Tha rlfhl ofla*?> i
lion, and ?'fiHM>r<mPktion for eoortitutiooal objaet*
are two. of mnn^Bitaticr*. whieh m'flit be jiren
| where the |ta?V bare de|ex?'e<l to lha I.e
t?lainre a paHMmaf tortrei^nly. and wool I it not
ba abturd ImBlow nu' the ur^u>nrnt hf envintr;
bec?n?e tba^jflkve del sratixl a portion the* hare
dcle*ala.UlWir/?e>n ?ucli wonld*>e lha ?Muctioo
?if iho*ajgp ciiitond for the indirltibihljf nf
? ll m?y here he well in a^nmiMilT
en en|>laoatorv remark When I
?l?le have dalerateil lo tha rnrinu*
ffovernmrnt a portion of*overeijn
mean that, iiower *!iu? <le|a?ate<l i*
Irrevocably gone. | detire lo convey,
> U merely a tlelexnt ion of it |torlion of sorer
jlily for puri?o?e? of Korarnment, to lru?tre?.nr
Mnt*. in t?u?t for the people, who may, at any
ime.<|e*troy eovernmenl.noo?tilntiniH,an<l efent*
and rail baek all (ton er, Accnrdin; l" t hi* ele*
m?nt?rv view of the matter aovereifiny may. par
ba|a he *aid lo he. not only imlivUible. but >na.
lienable |)m the nrfitaenl ntny be i>ur?ned
until |i In**! itrelf In ita ?iwa *nbtilti? *. | imWl
niel of thu* reflnmjf away prwc.lical rirht* Sol
wee ti ilwn |o??y that ullimmlt, undiriM wt.
er?ic 'v,^, with the mtonlc
luicyivcreirnly may I* |ire*umcd tonr'it
in th? irotn Uie lect, Ihtl /w turrti
art /.tghlnlutu amy ?Iter, ?? amend lh? rnmli'
lotion of the 4nte?Now. even a<ltnitl<n/, for
argument ?ake, L( tun mmttir* f.rgiihlurtt.
are, in ?mf l**WL equivalent to i movent on
?>f'Ik V ?'fw in favor orMHiWm*
the /<fri'i/?/Nrr,K^o( iir?ny(h?M)| without it
can be ?h wn that IW% act of a ?tegle tewon of
I^I'WuWi '? ?*I rwittHvlmil
\y. nnivaleot Into* exit* 0ftw? 1^,^,,,,^
confirmed ly an popular election
You perceiv^ I hen, it do*4?t(hy #ojr meiM|# fo|. ?
l?w ni a corollary. I?muh? ao^creignty may U
(?returned l? em>t in fwe ?*??*LrgitUfuru,
that it may aim e*tM in a ring, tlure.
|i ha*, aU. been urged thai \ra?,r#?ti.m, rail- 1
nl in |>ur?uatice cfUM* roii'titOtN^ n|. ^ I
td ton iprrijir etyirf?th'? ,?u. |
cee?l upon * lha priaciple. ????? a f^.eulloti
only be railed by-tho letfalM ?'*--?* (hat the
|mwtr of I ho tflurt, may I# limited b)^ er(l||t .
or. Thi? i? a plautiMo delation. It
' rm?lilolu? pre?cribe? that oo convention ?irVi i*
? railed, unlet# by I wo thmle of tlio l.> gidath,
l.nt thia virtually artioealt. only, to a right K
nrmnm'nd. from the I** lhal the Peoola tmy ap
point 'tolrj^atu or iliKMlMHi. I'ho L>'|i*la
lur may, alto, rrroo^rod a objttl to the
e ?.vcnlioo, which Iho latter nay rehit, or adopt,
a< plea<uie. Tb*lNm?iiiutional right. of the l?e
gi I la e lo f&ll < oonv iiti?n. make* the argument
lit i-1 or of I lie hmttHion+f the uotctr e/ dttrgultt,
?|iev not l.?i will cii?ilttii??!-it if, perhaps. one
lot the yrr^dwet of my politi. al eilttra ton to
believe I MM to i <fople, arc paramount to govern
' IIIf it* -irl dewlituliooe?end may alter, or amend
f ifH'f. ?t tl'ttroy-any thing, end a vary thing
wnhia H'O range of aorcreign'y. My view ?i
I he mllir revolve* i'teif mto (bit, that the
rit?t I* coll a cofmntioo waa gi*? n 'o the I A*
gjielnra lor pttrpotot of mnven i? m <: III t
it i^ip^rt* no .nbdanlivo (owrrj that it iOo'??
lo lhal body at a ?enlinel on the oato'i lower
togiv*- the alarm iaurl that ibe ?onv< n'ion wh? n
M*embhd, lain power, and In feel, that of Hie
poodle ?not that of the legislature? which taller
WoOki bo the ca?o if it w?? limito?| iu eet>?4i by
Iho Lefi*tat?rr. Nor, can I adopt the noiiow
I hat the only mode o4 calling a convention ?? by
?he l??-|itlatiire?'I he people ma*, at anyiim-,
rite ?p in (heir majetly?a|?(mi?.i delegate*- hwid
a cfHivrntwo?demolieh the whole (ibf i<-M |av
rnmcnt?awl fire the copilotiVi to tho whr ?
Ami a contiution, tte?? amembhtl, woul.l h. v.
neither more, ftor greater (?ower* than our rot,
v??ed by vWl?oofl^gl*la|ive recommmdaliou -
??cb would repftteut tli? toreretgoly ol the peo
pi*?Each would dirirt Us nblwr* from lit*
?MM sourea lb* i>eople?ucimg, In the m
iM*? e, through lb* medium ol the cooat Hulroo
rwl in the other, under the lni| ul?e of revolution.
IV irt??Mrt in ?>l entire satin igxty iu
(h? U|>il?iurf, drawn Irom the I Oth eriielt of
the constitution ol lb? Male, may. | think, ha
turned against lb?? who adopt it. The fair,
,-outlilultooal interstice,it. that the people never
ipltudrdlo T??t absolute sovereign'? in the Ufh.
latum In at lb* lacl that the contt-'lution prt
icnbr* that that body nay.'?/! a renrenlian ?
W hy the ueceteriy ol a couvmtiou, if uulinnled
?Vttftiptjr??in tha Legislature?
In iuliamieeo??ue*ion with tint part of the tab.
Jeol, I will |MtMn* h>? a ntonirr.i. to defend n.yself
Hunt n charge ofpolitical lo-.onsiiteocy. intimated
hy MHatot uiy |NMitN:al (nendt, out uf the house.?
They ?av, by taking the position that soaertighty
u ifilh ikaptOfU that'llnn? abandoning thecreed of
IW, and lh? doctrine, I ad ye need in Ihe discu?*toa
ol judge Bmilh'sretoiutiosH to I8t& I d??y it; tha
jioiition than takeu, I uow bold) it it, thai, tlw
general government derived it* existence from tha
itater, not the paoplr; the mi?-oo?aplion arista
iron blending the idea ol ilw pea?i< of ilalrt, as
disltnrt palilteal satieties, with the pecp/e 01 the
nation, as n (mm dated tmpirt. 11 is than correct
in priueiple.to say iu retereore to tha slate gov*
eminents, that mil poorer flatted, originally, from
M< people: nnd, it it iquaily proper m apeakrag of
tlw lormation of tho K?mnil novernme.it 'o
all potetrflatted, angindllg. from the tin is*. Tha
?agMMMJN in tnperis,of our ?y?wa a^*llc?J?f.
Uted to beget contusion. 'I ha JistinetioSr ju?t
taken, if ke|>t in mind, will prove that I ana trua
to tha faith oi9tt,and that my Iriends ara ronton*
ding with shadows. Nothing is yielded expressly,
or > onttructively, by live aastrlron, thai Unit ns*
cm. n/jf is ttilh the people. It does not follow,
iiwatt;* the general government derived its axis*
teiKf irom lha stales not lit t people, lhal Hate sop
eretgnljt u not mi/A the peuplt\ tha dangers of
ttsttr patioo, ??l con,WU< turn, and of coosolidatioo,
?say be avoided, er resisted,Just as wall by tho
doetriee ol saterai^jitg its the people, as of ies*r>
Iht Leg Mature, bo tor then, as tha
of tha radical trttd ara
ol sovereignly is ? mare
in, a viewless spirit, an ideal
gentleman tnm Edgefield has been par*
tkular to ran.nd Us that M voted against th*
rendu Hons of I (124, upon lha principle thai lha
Legislature, not being sovereign, had no right to
rctnousirate. It will, pet hapr, lie recollected iMH
wo voted iu op|Mititioa to each other on that oc
casio'u liut lor very tM||NMJHPM.<asi I will not
Iciail toe ii, i will ouiy. say, thai iu uiy opm*
ion, tiiu question ol'Sovereignty bail litllr,?i uoth<
iii^, lo itu wrlti tlie rijiht of the Legi?latu>? to
reiuomtrats. Tue humCletl citi* ii nflho repnb.
I la mi.y rennnitrule, the "lavet ?l lyranla in.*,y
reuiwiiiirut.e,Mnd,i'ertainiy,the co-ordiu?ie branch
oi a in e govarii<nent may reiurmMrat^ by my
vote, on that ?k-c.<iiou, I did not mean to i oply
thai voierngnty War,or wavnot, in the Lr^i?la*
luic, or, thai ? f Legislature was Ilia stain AuJ
herv, I will jutl remark Irial ti,e word* slate and
Legislature, *re nut syuouymous. as usupfKiS'
eu oy tome, many ssampies. on thi^pclnl, nnitlit
he kiv?i iruiu ih< ciMi?tilution; hut one or two
shall tuAce. For uuiauce, the 1st clause ni iho
5th article of the oonaMtutioo provi<lesthal aniond
menl* era required lo ba ratifii-d.^by the Lkui?>
latohcs of three fourths ol lha Mvarat Stats:*"
ice. loe iud uuta of lite 1st section of iho
- - * ? ? ?i.Tjhi mm iajriHiiPt
in ruoh manner es tha LwC'UTfsa thereof may
iliract" lacior* tic. f im 1st c|ait*e of the 4th
saoliooof tha M arUola provides, "that the tiui #,
placet, and manner ol Indding alaation* Sc?. shall
ire pratorihed in each ^tatb, by tha Lbaisla.
Twaa ihereotM he. By lha In clatlaa, n| tha 34
?<-ct.ou, ol ibe lit artrc.e, " lha sanata shall oa
com|rosed ol two ^naliiit, from each Btatb, ciio
s a by tha Lkoisi. >TUiik lhoreornlec. ail llvesa
via .aet, >ou |*ro?.%e, umIu a tulrsUativa i'lder
enne between the word STATK. and l.i??..
UTUIR.
ii u i, I * in pra; >%rad to r o?t on iti II itronzer grn uuJ.
I allude loth* fp?rl 9I 91i, the political |.*t
boon of t?j<abliuiiuiii. k l*?l itri>ng, mm) trium*
(jtwul wtlli ?imIi euluoriiy lo iu?ia.n mo:?10
piu< ec?t; whetii me.iut hy th. word Haiti Mr.
YUilcu la |?x? 19 ??fhi Vii< nm r*i>ort?*y?: -It
?? Hiiirni true, tlMt the Unit *TATK?, u tomHitnc*
ur*d 10 n iinai- iruwi mid route limn id difl?rcut
Htm, accordiug to th? ittl'JKt to which It b ep?
plied. I ha?, <t ?ouietiine? tniani th* Mfaruto
?*?tw>o? 01 leirilory. occupied by th* political
xairtiet within mht MiiuetiuiM the (wrtirular
(ntfrnoxiiii til?l>liili?i l>y ibo** *oci*ti*?| torac
liinuf l hoe* MieMtiM u? org*utod ioto ihoio par
ticular governutcuti;*itd, l*?iiy, il mean* th* pro
fit ro-i.poung thtat ytoitlieai mttulin, in their
htfihttl tortrrign capacity. In the prc?*nt io>teiio*
wliMirter dflVifni urtructiom oI th* urn
r-TATM iuth* i??"iuuoo, may have been cater*
tniucO. *lt wdl.nl Iciut, concur m that la*t jucn
liouadi l>?c*u?c, 111 th*t ?ense.ttjecouMlUUfoa wo?
*Ul>milled to the STATE*; Hi that hum th* ?late*
mt'ficd it. iixi io h*l i?a?iul,|/Mi term Hate*, they
in cwa?< qucntly partia* lo the compact, fi.-in
whit h the poA*u 01 the ied*ral Kovcri>in. nt
mult." Ail my r< K?*Ui|t, la r?<iinl to mver
?ignlv, you oo?vrve. 1 e?U on tlic meeoiox attri
buted tH (he word Hale, liy Mr. Ma>h?oa. which ha
thought "i.ll w nld <N>uiur iu" vis the pe.plo
compotinft the puttlieol ffitlpm Ihttr higketl ton
trttgH rufiarilp" ll will,alio, l?? rro>>l|e< e<l that
I h*ve amiti'i the paramount rovcrei* ity ol (ha
|i<v(ilturti government* and laW?j thi* view ?*elto
ru.ofirinrd t>y the |<>liowiiti; extract fromth* ram*
tfi " The uvlhortlj ?/eon>tiluli*n*
mrtr i(ur*rnmenl?,nn?' of ihi tovtrtignlp 1/the pro
pit oetr tihiil'iuliuni, are truth 1ehlen rt mi a//
timet proper to be k<pl h eii/irfj ai*4 at no Ume
pt'Unpt, m'trt ntttunry than (A* pre in!.**
Bui, >umMW wa admit nrtittfnlp may
reinl--, imllflbrcntly, either in *he l.*<i?i*tur*. or
111 eon wain*, and til tit* the quiition of relcranc*
00* ol mare expediency, ttill, tlia weight of er
imeni i? d*?:d<diy 10 tpvorof the former It
[?inly itrtfc*i mo *? th* ai?*t J*lib^tat*, tlia
KiaimiiBt, ami the mo?t rtpiblican. Ilut
''""yilioniy have v>r, at e Hate, for I he r??f.
cite ofw.|, IH lr| 0f ?iy?rpifiity mi (o nullify,
whatan unrom I at anal |an of t i?
gre??. I'^Mniltnt ol th- ili<taiei i?f enminui)
wn?, ai l i!Lfl| r,||,lf( wn are ?uilaiuisl by *
rooMelUtion * i||utin<iu? tagr-i, who lurm ili?.
iiaguithad |>art w nt<, lormation nml egpo*>tintt
H\lie eeiy y?>ve^iM*nt 01 wimh* iiur|Mii<ini w*
?,?*i?(it?-.ihe opniKrai ol 00c or two
of the*.,|?,|l .Uifice. uf Mailifon, in the reonrt
already,| ?.y>: ?ii j^%.l.bJra,aa?*??,*of
deogfrou* r..wer?, uai|.nbly wnhWi |,- ,hr H<
Kiiun?u,i'ouM out justify the partial to ,t, tn H
iei|<?mge%en mi fa. aito?r?*it the pro*,rM ?f
th? bvil. aimI tln rei.y prncrve (lie<o in fit ?>? |t?
?*l|a> well a* to provide A?r lh?* talM*yol lb*
pajia* to it| ther* would h* au e*d to mil rilief
? ueurprd power, ami a direct ??hvenik ?f
?.*HI? >|.?nf|td or rer*gaise?i under HI ft Ho
< rm?tiiu1io?i?, a* well a* a pteiu d* lalilb*
lemealal pr nriple 011 whlrh n*r i?l*i omi ttcm
II Wai deehirad M Again:?Mm* roforH |pa
hat i* cae* of a d*liberHie, palp?l?|o ?J. >n*
rou excrete* ofo*h< rp?)Wertnot grantAlfy ii^
id cnmpact, the *l>tce, who are par lie. f
-ve lb* right a?l er* in duly Utuad lo ?[tp.*?
arreeliag lb* |*egr**e oftb* Mil, Mlar
mlaimng wdhimb*** r?-?p. t tive lim 1 li*a?.
1 He*, right* *nd libertici a^pcri u,