Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1804-04-23
CONGRESS
OF THE
u NITED S TA T E $.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
/ HuRsDAY, December 8.
Debate on the AMENDMENT to the CON
S'IIITJTI0N.
OF TuE

i
toned as am to preliminary discussions,
/ feel a degree of difidehce and embarras-
ment to which many others are probably IN
a great measure strangers. I3havee no IN
tention to enter into lengthy discussion,
or investigation Of the resolution now be-
fore the house. But as stand here III my
place the constitutional representative q a
section of the American people, perhaps e.
quail in point of respectability toother sec
tons represented on this floor, and as |
suppose some OF my constituents expect,
that | will, upon certain occasions, do
something more than give silent vote up
on such question as may from time to time,
come before the house, request the indul-
gence Of a patient hearing, whilst offer
two orthree reasons for the vote shall
give upon the resolution under considera-
lion. have not the vanity to suppose that
! shall be able by any thing shall offer,
TO influence the members Of this House
a to vote In a different manner from that in
which they have already made up their
minds. Probably no discussion which
can now takeplace viii alter SO much as
one single vote. think it likely that the
proposed alteration III the constitution,
comprised in the resolution now before
us Will pass this House by the constitutions
al majority, and know not but it may be
finally ratified by sufficient number of
state legislatures to make it a part of the
constitution of the United Statates. Il
this event should take place, shall, never
theless, feel a satisfaction in having done
my duty, in endeavouring, though feebly
and unsuccessfully to arrest the progress
Of spirit of innovationiwhich fear, (God
grant that my fears may prove ground
less, J will undermine, and finally destroy
our national compact.
/ have not heretofore been particularly
hostile to what is called the mere designat-
ing principle. have sometimes enquired
within myself, what good reasons could be
assigned why the convention which framed
the constitution, left that article in its pre-
sent form? Il never having been subject
of investigation in the small circle Of my
Acquaintance, viewed it matter of Eut
little consequence either one way or the
other, and am pursuaded that herto-
fore, this inatention TO the merits Of the
question has been general in the part Of
the country to which | belong. But after
seriously rejecting uponthe subject, and at
tending to the discussions which have taken
place in this house, both upon former oc-
casion, and since the resolution was trans
mitted from the, Senate, as well as listen
ing occasionally to the debates in that Be-
dy, have received that evidence which,
in-the view of my mind, has more weight
than thousand metaphysical arguments,
that the constitution ought not to be med
died with. When have beheld the many
difficulties and perplexities attending eve
ry attemptto adjust the proposed altera-
tons to the various bearings Of the other
parts of that instrument, have-been led to
admire the wisdom and discelnment Of the
trainers, as we'll as to have Il more realiz-
ing sense, both Of the difficulty and danger
Of innovating. Innovations in a national
sytem, | hunbly conceive ought nevert to
be admitted without the most imperious ne
cessity. They are, at all times, a matter
of hazardous experiment But where is
the imperious necessity in the present case
1 trustit does not exist. If cur national
system is, in.themain good one, though
it may not IN every particular completely
meet the wishes Of every individual, or e.
Ven of every state in the union, which,
considering that was formed upon COM
promise, uniting variety Of different, and,
some of them, clashihg interests, was an
event rather to be desired than expected,
it ought TO be like the law of the Modes
and Persians, which altereth not. But