Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1803-11-28

according 10 tllG L tiiiSi1
to the enjoyment of all the rights adyanta-
tapes and immupities OF clizens OF the
y5Iited. states 1t is perhaps somewhat
d;scult TO ascertain, the precise effect
which it was intended to give the words,
which have been used in this stipulation. -
( 1t is however clear, that it was intended
either to incorporate the inhabitants OF the
ceded territory into the Union, by the trea.
ty itself, orto pledge the faith OF the nation,
that such an incorporation should take
place, within a reasonable time. It's pro-
Der therefore to consider the question with
a reference to both constructions.
Its in my opinion scarcely possible Tor
any gentleman on this floor to advance an
opinion, that the President and Senate may
add to the members OF the union by treaty
whenever they please, or IN the words OF
this treaty may 6 incorporate IN the union
of the United States" a foreign nationwide
from interest or ambition may wish to be-
come a menberof our government. Such
power would be directly repugnant to the
original compact between the states, and a
violation Of t'.e principles Of which that
compact was formed. It has been already
well observed, that the union Of the states
was formed on the principle OF copartner-
ship, and it would be absurd to suppose,
that the agents of the parties, who have
been appointed to execute the business Of
the compact, in behalf Of the principals,
could admit a new partner, without the
consent of the parties themselves And
vet, if the first construction is assumed such
must be the case under this constitution,
and the President and Senate may admit,
at will, any foreign nation into this CO.
partnership without the consent of the
states.
The government of this country is formed by
union of states. ard the people have declared
that the constitution WAS established I" to form
m " perfect union Of the United States" The
United States bese mentioned cannot be mistaken.
They were tie states then in existence, aud such
other new states as should be formed, within the
then limits of the union, conformably to the
provisions of the constitution. Every measure,
therefore, which tends to infringe the perfect uni
on Of the states here described, is violation OF
the first sentiment expressed IN the constitution.
The incorpora ton of foreign nation into the
ua,on, SO far from tending to preserve the union,
is direct inroad upon lit destroys the perfe6t
union contemplated between the original parties,
BY nterposng an alien and stranger to share the
powers OF government with them.
The government of the United States was not
formed for the purpose Of distributing its prnci
pes ard advantages TO foreign nations Ii was
folmed with the sole view CT securing those bles-
sings to ourselves and cur posterity. 1t follows
from these principles, that now power can reside
in any public iunaioaary to contstd any engage
ment, or to pu.sue any measure, which shall
change the union Of the states. Nor was It ne
cessary that any restrictive clause should have beer
inserted in the constitution, to restrain public
agents from exercising these extraordinary pow
ers; because the restriction grows out of the Ia
eure Of the government. The President with the
advice of the Senate has undoubtedly the rghe to
form treaties, but in exercising these powers he |
cannot barter away the constitution, or the rights
Of psrtcula; states 1t is easy TO conceive tina;
it must have been considered very important, by
the original parties to the constitution, that The
limits of the United States, should not beextend
ed. The government having been formed by al
unionof states, it is supposeable that the fear OF
an undue, CT preponderatpg influence in CERTAIN
parts O. this unon, must have had great weight |
in the mind: of those, who might apprehend that
such an influence would ultimately injure the in
tersts of tire states, TO which they belonged: And
although they might conseny to become parties To
theunon, as it was then f9rned,. girls highly pro-
babe they never would have consented 70 such a
connexon, if new world was to bs thrown ineo
the scale, 70 weigh down the influence which
they night otherwise posses in the national coun
els.
From, this view Of the subject, I have been per
SHADED that the framersof the corstton never in
tenAsd DE- q rAurr connid resida - tha Piasi