terference at State discretion, the right
of nullifying acts of Congress by acts of State legislation, is more
than I know, and what I shall be slow to believe.

That there are individuals besides the honorable gentleman who do
maintain these opinions, is quite certain. I recollect the recent
expression of a sentiment, which circumstances attending its utterance
and publication justify us in supposing was not unpremeditated. "The
sovereignty of the State,--never to be controlled, construed, or decided
on, but by her own feelings of honorable justice."

Mr. Hayne here rose and said, that, for the purpose of being
clearly understood he would state that his proposition was in the
words of the Virginia resolution, as follows:--

"That this assembly doth explicitly and peremptorily declare, that
it views the powers of the federal government as resulting from the
compact to which the States are parties, as limited by the plain
sense and intention of the instrument constituting that compact, as
no farther valid than they are authorized by the grants enumerated
in that compact; and that, in case of a deliberate, palpable, and
dangerous exercise of other powers not granted by the said compact,
the States who are parties thereto have the right, and are in duty
bound, to interpose, for arresting the progress of the evil, and
for maintaining within their respective limits the authorities,
rights, and liberties appertaining to them."

Mr. Webster
resumed:--#/

I am quite aware, Mr. President, of the existence of the resolution
which the gentleman read, and has now repeated, and that he relies on it
as his authority. I know the source, too, from which it is understood to
have proceeded. I need not say that I have much respect for the
constitutional opinions of Mr. Madison; they would weigh greatly with me
always. But before the authority of his opinion be vouched for the
gentleman's proposition, it will be proper to consider what is the fair
interpretation of that resolution, to which Mr. Madison is understood to
have given his sanction. As the gentleman construes it, it is an
authority for him. Possibly he may not have adopted the right
construction. That resolution declares, that, _in the case of the
dangerous exercise of powers not granted by the general government, the
States may interpose to arrest the progress of the evil_. But how
interpose, and w