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 revolution.

I understand him to maintain an authority, on the part of the States, thus to interfere, for the purpose of correcting the exercise of power by the general government, of checking it, and of compelling it to conform to their opinion of the extent of its powers.

I understand him to maintain, that the ultimate power of judging of the constitutional extent of its own authority is not lodged exclusively in the general government, or any branch of it; but that, on the contrary, the States may lawfully decide for themselves, and each State for itself, whether, in a given case, the act of the general government transcends its power.

I understand him to insist, that, if the exigency of the case, in the opinion of any State government, require it, such State government may, by its own sovereign authority, annul an act of the general government which it deems plainly and palpably unconstitutional.

This is the sum of what I understand from him to be the South Carolina doctrine, and the doctrine which he maintains.  I propose to consider it, and compare it with the Constitution.  Allow me to say, as a preliminary remark, that I call this the South Carolina doctrine only because the gentleman himself has so denominated it.  I do not feel at liberty to say that South Carolina, as a State, has ever advanced these sentiments.  I hope she has not, and never may.  That a great majority of her people are opposed to the tariff laws, is doubtless true.  That a majority, somewhat less than that just mentioned, conscientiously believe these laws unconstitutional, may probably also be true.  But that any majority holds to the right of direct State interference 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:—­