Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1804-01-11
GoNGREsS
OF THE
UNITED STATES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,. .
October %, 1905.
October %, 4 sos.
Debate on the amendment to the Constitution.
CONTINUED.
CONTINUED.


Mr.. Huger. Much as has been said,
Mr.. Speaker, and much of our time has
been already taken up, sincethe commence
ment of the present session, in discussing
the resolution now under consideration,
veu will no doubt have remarked, that the
debate has heretofore been almost exclu-
sively carried on by gentlemen of one par
ticular side Of the house; neither will it
have escaped your observation, that hume
rous as have been the speakers, and various
and lengthy as have been their arguments,
scarcely one of them has deemed it neces-
sary to discuss the general merits of the
question, or to shew the propriety or expe-
dlency of making the proposed alteration
in our national compact. The necessity,
propriety and expediency of making such
been regarded as points coded on all hands,
as constituting a proposition SO plain, SO
self-eyident, SO unencumbered with any
thing like doubt, that it would have been
superhuous to bestow moments thought
on, or to adduce single argument IN sup
have preceded me, takingit for granted that
an alteration must and would of course be
made, have confined themselves almost ex-
clusiyely, to the consideration of the man
ner in which it was to be brought about and
the extent to which it was at this time to be
carried. have listened with the utmost
attention for several days past to the vari-
Gus propositions which they have presented
to the consideration ofthe House. have
been greatly edited by their arguments and
have admired the ingenuity and ability with
which the respective propositions have been
supported. You will permit to add, sir,
that have beard with infinite pleasure, the
declarations and assurances of attachment
to our present happy constitution, which
have been so frequently expressed by al
most every gentleman, who has taken any
part in the debate. 1t has given me pecu-
liar satisfaction to hear these sentiments,
repeated again and again, by characters, no
less respectable for their talents, than dis
tinguished for their influence in the COM
munity. The fears and apprehensions which.
I will candidly acknowledge, had made a
deep and painful impression OH my mind,
have been greatly lessened, IN some degree
removed, by the assurances of,unfeigned
acQuiescence in and perfect contentment
with the present constitution OF the United
States, and by the expression of unequivo-
cal disapprobation of every other alteration
IN the NATIONAL compact, (save the one now
proposed) which have fallen from quarters,
from whence will not deny, that | had an
ticipsted and apprehended sentiments OF a
very contrary tendency. But whilst give
full and perfect credit Mr.. Speaker, to the
assertions of homo able gentlemen; whilst
rejoice most sincerely that the members
of this respectable BODY, one and all accord
and unite In one common attachment TO
that compact, which forms the bond ofour
union; whilst deprecate the idea of cast.
ing any thing like an imputation on the NC
tiVes OF any member on this floor: cam
not bur lament that an exception is made in
one instance, and the constitution is not al
lowed 10 remain unalterea and as it now
stands. Ilmpute not, [ repeat it any i'm
proper motives TO the friends of the reso-
luton at present under consideration
The rage however for change and innosa-
ton, has of late years spread itself with a
raptdity unequalled among the nations of
the earth; and we have seen and heard e.
nough out of doors and in our own country,
to authorize caution and to excite the app
prehension, that there are many among us,
to whom great and material alterations in
ournational compact would be more than
acceptable. Obsta prlncipiis' is an old
and trite, but on most occasions a sound
and safe maxim. In times ike the present
deem it our only safeguard; the.sheet an
chor OF our political salvation. This nat1-