Berkeley and Jefferson intelligencer. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va.) 1802-1810, 1804-03-23


M1RFENsBURc, March q.
- .s........... 800
'Thejstate ofRhode- Island has adopted
tte proposed alteration Of the constitute
on 9fthe United States. Upon this the
ReterfoeY remarks, that 1uhen IDe re.
collect Nth zvhat reluctance our little
Sister embraced the federal constitution,
it Is not surprisinlg that she should be
the most eager totear ito pieces.
Who are the true friends, and ,uha the
real enemies o ths ~,ioa efthe States p
This is questioa Of the utmost impor-
tance-it is interesting to every man, who
feels any relation to our political con-
cerns-lt IS now in agitation before the
public, and, wouldto God, it were can
vassed with that respect to reason and
truth which its consequences requires.
In community which has g!oried in its
privileges Of obtaining knowledge, which
has pretended to value those privileges,
and to have improved them with solicit
tude, shall the shallow rant of a treache-s
rous demagogue, of the low wit of an
abandoned time server divest the atten-
ton Of men, who would be called enligh-
tened, from the path Of honest inquiry!
If there be within our government set
of dfsorg0nizers, enemies to our peace,
foes to our Union and revolutionists in
PRINCIPLES, which We SERIOUSLY believe
there are, it is highly expedient that they
be known, characterized and detested /;
let it be investigated who constitutes this
combination. The decision need not be
suspended for want of evidence, and we
wish for nothing so sincerely as just and
, sober examination. -..-,.
The object of assoeiating in civil soci-
: ETY. is mutual protection and benefit. 1t
is with this view that the individuals of
q community form a social compact,
thereby securing the power Of the whole
society to rotectthe rights ofeach menu
@b-r.-With this design were formed the
several state governments of America,
and IS it respects domestic concerns, they
were fully adequate 20 the purpose inten-
d.d. Afterthese were established, their
! local proximity, and the additional
strength they might acquire, BY combs
nation prompted to~a national Union
Thus, individuals adopted State Go
Sernmenis forthe security of individuals;
and on the same principle, the several
states formed a. higher association, tc
increase their respective security,---hav'
ing and claiming as far sswas practicable
the same relation 10 the general Union
Observation-Disclosures Possesses with regard
% his State. =.
Hence we find, that to, consult the
interests Of the respective States IS the
duty ofthe national government ! twas
the grand objects in their coalescence,
and when il ceases to be regarded. the
purpose Of combination is defeated, its
utilhv vanishes and the condition on
which il subsists is violated.
Should any Of. these principles be
denied, we are ready to supportthem
: but while the language used AZ the time
ysf uur adopting the federal constitution
Is read & remembered. while the particu,
lar organization Of the upper branch O
heNationalL Legislature i contemplated
= and while the Sovereignty Of the seyera
States is acknowledged, it 10 expected
they win be admitted BY the candid.
q Now compare these principleswith Oh,
; ndact and doctrines Of the parties 9
: