Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1805-01-31

-tlOn, Nae ROt 0nty .SpcA pSusS1s, OuSsS ~'so
unconstitutional. 1.-THE wassSucesssful ia
making cut his point that it was anconsti.
tmional, be presumed the question OF expe-
diency neeG not be argued the measure
would BE-. set at rest, and not 4 Inember
would be found to give this support But
it he should prove unfor.aaase in this re.
spec,, which however appeared 70 his miad
as true as that and makes :. he might
shave reference 10 tsae question OF exPedl-
cncy.
Previous to an enquiry into the eonsu.
tutional,ty of the proposed project, ne
would just observe that eoustituuo ns them
selves were things OF recsnt date. Beiere
the american revolutions the word itself
was never fully understood. Lexioeossa-
paers who attempted to dehae II never
could agree. 1here was no practice
whereuson to trv its meaning. No pow
or on earth had constitution before the
American states. j rue. England had long
boasted Of possessing constitution, and
: SO satisfied were her statesmen and psiit'-
cians Of the reality of This imaginary be-
ing. that they have sx eaed it TO the skies.
The clor,eus constitution of England her
nrids and the envy Of the world Fine
words truly, bit where is the thing itself
20 be found: Is it re u ed ts writing
No. Who has seen it !! No man. Is it
known 10 any mani If it be no two agree
as to what the boosted constitution OF
Bn,ain is. How different, how houora-
bl, different ls the American eonst!tu-
ton With US it Is reeuced 10 writing.
it IS in every mans hand, it is known to
the whole world, and every citizen agrees
in ITS true and Legitimate meaning. Ne
would take this opportunity of expressing
hi. voice, and holding up his haadin re-
s,st.ng the doctrine of construction and
Inference formerly set up, whereby the tea
or and effect of that INVALUABLE instrument
was likely 10 be changed. He knew thar art.
full & ingenious nea might twissand turn,
and make II like the word republican, to
make it mean any thing or nothing, as bsst
suited their nefarious designs. But this
declaration and these attacks upon the bo-
DIV of that sacred work, were introduced
by insiAua,ing and ardul lawyers, aided
by the Villainy ofjudges. and accepted by
men employed in the administration Of
our public and most important national
affairs.
He saw nothing to Justify the present
motion. Gentlemen had attempted to
shew not only its policy, but also its con-
,.:,,,.;on.i;ty IA -bo.v ausr ..o,,lS MIR dis.
cover any words on that papar which war.
raatcd tn. project Ia the most remote de-
gree perhaps it had escaped his search /;
but he rather suspected gentlemen relied
more upon an Inference than on either the
letter or spillt Of the instrument itself.
But he here would repeat, that 40 man
was authorised to infer or construs from
the constitution any other thing, than what
the 2laiusehiseef plain wosds would justify.
He again declared the measure uncon-
stitutional, and would prove il. The 9Th
section OF the list article authorised Con.
atess to exercise the power of exclusive e.
pislat,on in all cases whatsoever over such
district as may become the seat Of the GO
VCrNSnSDt oil TIC ~ IitCd oldtCSs 4So", TIC
asked, Ii this section did not mean ths, the
district ceded By particular STATES, and &C.
cepted b. Congress, should ever thereafter
BE- considered aud deemed to all inients
and purposes the permanent seat of Con.
press. what did it mean? For what other
purpose could the words be used. The
constitution to be sure does not say that
this particular district shall be the ,perma.
nsn, sea, of the government; but it says
Congress shall have the power of legisla-
ton owe, such district as may by cession OF
particular states became thes seat ofgovern-
msu,, wisely leaving tito Congress, who
had more time and leisure to caasesaplat
the place proper fox the purpose. to make
the :. | cuor. Congress have d"ne this,
and the. people have sanctioned the mea-
sure. The constitution prevents tins re-
moyal; true. Congress have power to pass
law, for the regulation Of the general eou.
Germ. of the nation. but in this case the con.
s,.ution ha. set up barrier which neither