Page:The World's Famous Orations Volume 9.djvu/52

 THE WORLD'S FAMOUS ORATIONS in which its infancy was rocked; it will stretch forth its arm with whatever of vigor it may still retain over the friends who gather round it ; and it will fall at last, if fall it must, amid the proudest monuments of its own glory, and on the very spot of its origin. There yet remains to be performed, Mr. Presi- dent, by far the most grave and important duty whicl}, I feel to be devolved on me by this occa- sion.y It is to state, and to defend, what I con- ceiveHo be the true principles of the Constitution under which we are here assembled./ I might well have desired that so weighty a task should have fallen into other and abler hands. I could have wished that it should have been executed by those whose character and experience give weight and influence to their opinions, such as can not possibly belong to mine. But, sir, I have met the occasion, not sought it; and I shall proceed to state my own sentiments, without challenging for them any particular regard, with studied plainness, and as much precision as possible. j, I understand the honorable gentleman from Sbuth Carolina to maintain that it is a right of the State Legislatures to interfere whenever, in their judgment, this government transcends its constitutional limits, and to arrest the operation of its laws.^ I I understand him to maintain this right, as a"" right existing under the Constitution, not as a right to overthrow it on the ground of extreme necessity, such as would justify violent revolu- tion.} / A9.