Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1805-05-15
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iau SupTctuc SutEc+Ity HltDtn MS own
territory hence they were frequently en-
I gagged in wars, not only with each other,
but also with their king, who had no other
means OF reducing them to the obediel--,
than he precarious expedien,s of violence,
IN which it was impossible always 10 COM
mand success hence the kingdoms OF
Europe were at that time continually in
volyed in intestine war. The same vice
pcryaded the Amply 6lioDic and Achaan
leagues oil ancient Greece, AID is found
IN the Gcrmanic body; which would long
have been dissolved, but Tor the vast in
/ iiuence which the house Of Austria de-
! rires from its hereditary territories. The
Heivetic league, though often mentioned
| as an instance of the permanenc= of fe-
deral states is equally faulty. The cam
tons had 10 common treasury, no CONF
I mon army, even in time Of war, no COM
mon court OF justice, nor any one proper-
! ~ of federal government they were kept
J together by the particular circumstances
OF their situation; by-t the CONSEQUENCES
which each has Of its weakness as an indi-
vidual state; The dread of powerful neigh-
bors, 10 one OF whom they were once en-
shaved and by other considerations Of si-
nnilar nature.
Whatever efficiency this league NAV
have had in common cases, * has always
been found impotent in differences Of
great importance. Disputes concerning
religion have three times occasioned the
most violent and bloody quarrels, * have,
in fact dissolved their union Tor the Ro-,
mish cantons have since held their sepa-
rate assemblies, and very little business
is transacted in the general diet. The
history of the United Provinces affords
strong proofIhat sovereignty over sove.
rcignties. a legislation 10 states, which
does not extend to the individuals of each
state, IS not only political absurdity, bur
is inconsistent with the order Of the oh.
je6ts of civil government, By its tendency
TO substitute violence for law, andthe COM
puision of the sword foc the coercion of
the magistrate. The extreme facility
With which both Of these states have been
lately oserrun and subdued by their CAL
lie neighbots sufficiently proves, that their
safety from foreign invasion and iitrstiu..
war was built on foundations eqaally pre-
carious.
1t was another fault, that The constiu-
ton in each stale was not guaranteed by
the rest (, by which do not mean that
congress should interfere with the domes-
tic concerns ofthe states, nor that il should
prevent them from efecting, in a peace
able and lawful manner, such alterations
IN their respective constitutions as the ma
Jority OF citizens in each may deem neces-
sary, but cnly that it should guard against
such changes as may be produced byvio-
icnce. The contribution OF men ard no
ney 10 the union, by quotas assigned for
each state; the want of general and u
INFORM power for regulating commerce,
and OF a national court of Justice the g
quality OF the smaller with the aroer
states, with regard to the votes in con-
Bress the power of each 10 issue mann.
lar currency TOO frequen, change in The
members OF congress and the whole pow
er OF Legislation for the union being vest
cd IN single assembly, were the p,jnci-
pal impertections in the old constitution
OF the States. The bad consequences Of
these are shown by what has since han.
pened, both with regard 10 internal die
rehccs between the several states, and the
want OF the confidence of foreign powers
IN confederation, for the continuanra Of
which there was so little security.
And yet when we consider Tn. c;rcurn.
stances OF the confederation, instead of
LIB eh"A " bdS thGte tanit8, Hc are
only astonished that it Las so few. The
articles were drawn up not in the cool
hours OF peace and security, when their
authors had leisure 10 examine all the pos
sibie consequences of each, and could
proIract the conclusion until every diff
Gully could be removed; bat they were
planned amid the horrors oil war, where
immediate exertiobs were necessary A.
galnsi common enemy; and when il was
infinitely more prudent TO produce with
all expedition, plan Of union, however
Imperfect, which might efiaa an imne-
date combination &C the seyetai states,
than TO copsums their tine in vain d.l,be.
raions IN search of perfection, of wl.ch
their actual situation rendered Them inca.
pable. IL was probably never iniecded
Tor lasting, and certainly rot for an On.
ai'era0Ie Constitution; bit the American
legislatures aeted iudicicusly in no. pro.
d"cing p second before lie irconys,ie