The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1807-01-01
0Df Gnqulrer..
RICHMOND, N yANUARr.
DEBATE ON THE KENTUCKY AMEND.
MENT.
CONTINUED
Mr.. LINDSAY.
Mr.. CHAIRMAN.

confeis am one of thoGc, who view tb;s
quehion with alarm, when hear propoGtion
on the part' "a filter fate TO demoiifan fabric.
"a,eh mas been reared by the wifdom of our
mott patriotic and enlightened mrn ,vh;o,,
has food the teft of time and been contecr,,ed
by experience, am reluctant TO exprefs INV AZ.
lent TIL have heard the frongeft reafons to
convince my mind OF its propriety-Sir, I ad-
mire the federal contribution, I revere the fra.
mers OF u, and there is no feature in il more
tar than the organization of the Judiciary.
Like the Gentleman from Dinwiidir, am
averie to charging the powers of the federal
government by taking from thofe of the Rate
reignties fhould be paramount, in many &C..
tranfcendant; Sir, confd-r them as the rrea,
nul~arks OF our political and civil liberty, and
the ruling principle of my political condue ba.
always been 10 enlarge the fpherc of power Of
the rate government, by circumfcribing that of
the federal government. But where are we Tn
apPFthend danger from federal encroschment
Is from the quarter Of the judiciary No.
braRRffasGsas got ssr i v sanqics
LET'S encroachments of frons armed feder,,
executive witch fhond awaken the yigiIanc.
ana honiIity of the Rate governments. I did
nor enpect that this would have been tortured
.n'o po''cai quett'on. ihaIl not ccnlider il
as iuch. am well aware that in the obferv,ti-
ons which am about to make, fhalI fall far
mort OF dong juftice TO this fubjed. I make
them withsat preparation, but the remarL.
winch have fallen from the worthy gentlemen
rom DinwiddIe are in conflict with nv Judge
ment and my feelings, and as no other member
OF inc committee will ftep forward to advocate
my opinions, ] mould deem it a deriIidion from
Iny ou'y' were not to fate the reafons upon
ments is founded
What is the motion before the committee
II rms to ioP of from thelfederal Judiciary.
three Objects of jurfdftion, and throw them
upon inc tate Judicaturcs, to wit. all cafes of
litigation between citizen or citizens Of ON.
itate' and cities or citizens of another n.te
All Gales between citizens of the fame ffate
Gaming iands under grants of different ftate,:
""u sHics DeteeI a Rate or the citizens thereof
ana ioreign Rates, citizens or fuhieas.
There are, Mr. Chairman two method, nre.
icrioed by the contribution of the u. States. for
procuring amendments to that inftrument the
one rs imPle and direct, the other is intricate
ana circu'tons. The frt ia when conerefs oriei.
nates the amendments and fubmts them tn m.
tate legislatures Tor confederation, BY which. r.
tney are ratified, they become incorporated with
the co nit'tution, and form a part thereof. But
tue ramcrs or the contribution, wifely forefeeiuz
,nat diitinet intercas might produce claiaius
between the fedcraand Gate governments. and
that congrefs would not always be ready or
wiilIng to originate many amendments which
would DC highly beneficial to the fate govern.
ments made provilion for the origination of A.
mendments on the part of the Rate govern
mems Under the 5th article of the contribution
OF the U. 5. 1t is enacted that when two ti,;rd.
OF the Rate legislatures have agreed on the pro-
poted amendments, and flaall make application
to Congress, "Congrefs fhzli call C convention
for propofing amendments which in either cafe
mall be valid to all intents and purpofes 80 part
OF ms conhfution when ratified by the legiG.-
lures of 3'4ths of the fates, or BY conventions
IN s-4ths thereof" There are the words Of
the contribution. This then 10 the mode which
has been adopted to carry the propofcd amend
Inentsinto effect. Bat with how many dam
gers and perplexities, Mr.. G.. is it not attend
ed how much trouble and expence will il not
create Fira, Esd of the Gate legislatures muf1
agree in propoGng thefc amendments 70 Con.
greis. Congrefs mua then call convention
Tor propohng amendments. This aep itfclf n
alarming. What, Sir, will be the nature and
powers Of this convention Will they go
only as far as the cate government propor
aud intend they ni2ll gos Win they take
into Their confederation, only the amendments
propoied by the Gate legislatures No, Or. 4
apprehend that when convention is Dace cal
led, the government rela pies from its organized
taie, aud that kbis convention, akh0' siIern.
blcd tor the pufpofe of conGdering part;csias
amendments, have tbe power aad the right to
modify and amend every branch Of the conGi-
tuition. Nay, Gr, they have il at fseir option.
80 gi7e ns a aew coaGiisti0s, iBaesd Of TIE oils
one. But, ar, IL We <Tamine the wer6s cffbs
federal contribution, we 1lsA Cad th.a :ke das,.
ger does noi fop here. Eves Sftef this Gonvea.
flon on amendments has agreed fhefe sljs ms9