162
T.\TE LIBRARY
TEXAS
the present time; and secondly, for the further object of euforcing a ystematic oppo ition to the Proclamation and I◄.,orce Bill. These last measures have aimed a deadly blow at State Right , and seem· now to require the united and concentrated energies of the friend and .adYocates of those rights, to be directed to this point of attack deemed so importa11t by our enemies to be carried; and in which, if ucce should crown thefr exertions, all that is dear and valuable to freedom, will be wrested from the State . That it may be distinctly understood what are the principles of this Association, it will be necessary to shew what are the doctrines of the Proclamation: and these are asserted in language which ad- mits of no dispute. 1 t. It maintains that the tates of which this confederacy is composed, never had a eparate existence ; for that, from the moment they ceased to be dependent on Great Britain, they formed one nation, and have so continued. 2nd. That a State in the exercise of its legitimate powers, has not the right to decide upon the con titutionality of an act of Coni:rress. to protect it citizens from the operation of uch unconstitutional act, and to maintain within her limits. the authorities rights and libertie appertaining to a Sovereign tate. 3d. That the States have no right to_secede from the union. under any circumstances whatever: ina much a secession would DESTROY THE U TITY OF TilE NATIO 4th. That the people of the twenty-four States constitute one people. 5th. That the members of Congress "are all 1·epresentative of of the United tates: not representatives of the partic11la1· State from whi,ch they co-me; and that they are not ''accountable to it for any act done in the perforniance of thei1· legislative functions." 6th. That the States have "not retained their entire sovereignty." 7th. That the allegiance of our citizen is due to the United States "in the first instance," and not to their respective tate . These are the doctrine of the Proclamation; and they have, at the . pecial instance of the President, produced the Force Bill, for their complete execution. This meeting doth olemnly protest against them, and ,as solemnly deny their legitimate deducti?n from the compact which established the Federal Government; .and the A . ociation now formed will re ist them in every proper manner. 'To thi end, they RB OLVE, That the present meeting be or~an- izcd into an Assoriation, to be denominated "'l'IIE ST.ATE RIGHT PARTY OF GEORGIA,'' and recommend meeting in all the conntie for the purpo. c of constituting . imilar 11. soeiations to be connected with that which ,vill lie formed at l\lillcdge,·ille, n the entrnl As. ociation. Re.~olvc.d, That the doctrines of the Virginia n11<l 1~ entucky Re O· lution., a. construed and nnder toocl by :\[r, .Jeff Prson, nn<l triu~n- phantly acted upon in 1825. 'G, 3:nd '7, in the tate _of Georgia, constitute the creed of the tnte Right Party of Georgia; nnd that as nil unconstitutional laws arc null and void, we will, whenever
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