If he did, then, in the language
of Mr. Madison, he is providing, not for a union of States, but
for the destruction of States; he is providing, under the name
of Union, to carry on a war against States; and I care not
whether it be against Massachusetts or Missouri, it is equally
objectionable to me; and I will resist it alike in the one case
and in the other, as subversive of the great principle on which
our Government rests; as a heresy to be confronted at its first
presentation, and put down there, lest it grow into proportions
which will render us powerless before it.
"The theory of our Constitution, Mr. President, is one of peace,
of equality of sovereign States. It was made by States and made
for States; and for greater assurance they passed an amendment,
doing that which was necessarily implied by the nature of the
instrument, as it was a mere instrument of grants. But, in the
abundance of caution, they declared that everything which had
not been delegated was reserved to the States, or to the
people--that is, to the State governments as instituted by the
people of each State, or to the people in their sovereign
capacity.
"I need not, then, go on to argue from the history and nature of
our Government that no power of coercion exists in it. It is
enough for me to demand the clause of the Constitution which
confers the power.
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