All the custom-house obstructions existing
between the States were destroyed; the power to regulate
commerce transferred to the General Government. Every barrier to
the freest intercourse was swept away. Under the Confederation
it had been secured as a right to each citizen to have free
transit over all the other States; and under the Union it was
designed to make this more perfect. Is it enjoyed? Is it not
denied? Do we not have mere speculative question of what is
property raised in defiance of the clear intent of the
Constitution, offending as well against its letter as against
its whole spirit? This must be reformed, or the Government our
fathers instituted is destroyed. I say, then, shall we cling to
the mere forms or idolize the name of Union, when its blessings
are lost, after its spirit has fled? Who would keep a flower,
which had lost its beauty and its fragrance, and in their stead
had formed a seed-vessel containing the deadliest poison? Or, to
drop the figure, who would consent to remain in alliance with
States which used the power thus acquired to invade his
tranquillity, to impair his defense, to destroy his peace and
security? Any community would be stronger standing in an
isolated position, and using its revenues to maintain its own
physical force, than if allied with those who would thus war
upon its prosperity and domestic peace; and reason, pride,
self-interest, and the apprehension of secret, constant danger
would impel to separation.
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