Abridgment of the Debates of Congress, from 1789 to 1856.

88 ABRIDGMENT OF THE SENATE.] Revenue Collection Bill-Nullificatiorn. [FEBRuARY, 1833. this measure originated with the Executive, I vide further for the collection of the duties on can find no apology in that suggestion, which imports. could justify me as a Senator representing a Mr. RIVES, of Virginia, said, the proceedings Southern State-yes, sir, a slave-holding,.anti- of my State, on another occasion of far higher tariff State-if I were so far to sacrifice their importance, have been so frequently referred to interest as to vote for this bill. I know, sir, in the course of this debate, as an example to that the President has a commanding popularity justify the present proceedings of South Caroamong my people; the honest, unsuspecting lina, that I may be excused for saying someplanters and laborers of Alabama gave him their thing of them. What, then, was the conduct confidence when he was a plain unpretending of Virginia in the memorable era of'98 and'99? planter like themselves. But they voted for She solemnly protested against the alien and Andrew Jackson to be the President of a free sedition acts, as "palpable and alarming infi'acpeople, subject to all the restraints of the con- tions of the constitution;" she communicated stitution; they did not expect that he would ask that protest to the other States of the Union, and to be clothed with dictatorial powers, much less earnestly appealed to them to unite with her in that he would march at the head of a standing a like declaration, that this deliberate and army for the purpose of enforcing, at the point solemn expression of the opinion of the States, of the bayonet, the collection of odious, unjust, as parties to the constitutional compact, should unequal, and unconstitutional taxes. have its proper effect on the councils of the But I warn gentlemen to pause. Who is it nation in procuring a revision and repeal of the that are now so anxious to clothe the President obnoxious acts. This was " the head and front with these new, undefined powers? Are they of her offending"-no more. The whole object not his old enemies? Are they not his late of the proceedings was, by the peaceful force opponents? But, sir, I give them my thanks. of public opinion, embodied through the organ of I am the re~presentative of a brave, generous, the State Legislatures, to obtain a repeal of the and, therefore, a confiding people. -Yet, there laws in question, not to oppose or arrest their are in Alabama, as there are in all other States, execution while they remained unrepealed. " waiters upon Providence" —men whose high- That this was the true spirit and real purpose est ambition it is to worship power. of the proceeding, is abundantly manifested by The policy of our adversaries has been to the whole of the able debate which took place purchase these false guides, and weaken our in the Legislature of the State on the occasion. resistance by internal dissensions. All the speakers, who advocated the resolutions If gentlemen will disregard all our entreaties; which were finally adopted, distinctly placed if, instead of claiming the promise made the them on that legitimate, constitutional ground. peacemakers, they still persist in the exercise of I need only refer to the emphatic declaration injustice and oppression; if, instead of reducing of John Taylor, of Carolina, the distinguished the duties and giving us peace, harmony, mover and able champion of the resolutions. strength, and brotherly love, they force upon us He said.' the appeal was to public opinion; this bill, they will do us one favor, they will if that is against us, we must yield." The same force us to be united; they will unbind the sentiment was avowed and maintained by every eyes of our people; they will then see who it is friend of the resolutions throughout the debate. that " have sung peace, peace, when there was But, sir, the real intentions and policy of no peace." I again would say to those gentle- Virginia were proved, not by declarations and men who suppose they are to reap a golden speeches merely, but by facts. If there ever harvest of profit or of honors from this measure, was a law odious to a whole people by its daring " You may have the power to pass your bill violation of the fundamental guaranties of pubthrough this House; you may have the physical lie liberty, the freedom of speech and freedom strength and the same generous majority by of the press, it was the sedition law to the peowhich you have passed your tariffs; but you ple of Virginia. Yet, amid all this indignant cannot enforce it. I defy you, with all the dissatisfaction, after the solemn protest of the sycophants, hirelings, and office-seekers now legislature in'98, and the renewal of that protest waiting for command. You may sweep the in.'99, this most odious and arbitrary law was streets of your cities, and empty your work- peaceably carried into execution in the capital shops and manufacturing establishments; at this of the State, by the prosecution and punishment enlightened hour, and in this free country, you of Callender, who was fined and imprisoned for cannot enforce it. We know our rights, and, daring to canvass the conduct of our public men, knowing them, dare maintain and defend (as Lyon and Cooper had been elsewhere,) and them." was still actually imprisoned when the Legislature assembled in December, 1800. NotwithTnURSDAY, February 14. standing the excited sensibility of the public TnvIseY, lecnbrt~ulfary 4.mind, no popular tumult, no legislative interRevenue Collection Bill-Nullification- Vin- ference, disturbed, in any manner, the full and dication of the Virginia Resolutions of 1798- peaceable execution of the law. The Senate'99. will excuse me, I trust, for calling their attenThe Senate then proceeded to the considera- tion to a most forcible commentary on the true tion of the special order, being the bill to pro- character of the Virginia proceedings of'98 and

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Title: Abridgment of the Debates of Congress, from 1789 to 1856.
Author: United States. Congress.
Canvas: Page 88
Publication: New York, [etc.]: D. Appleton and company [etc.]; 1857-61.
Subject terms: United States -- Politics and government

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Abridgment of the Debates of Congress, from 1789 to 1856.

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