Portland gazette and Maine advertiser. (Portland, Me.) 1805-1818, 1811-02-04

@ttSiHPi' WOuiu IOAAC LHS altEutlOU
OF gentlemen frora the apathy, with
which they feem be(et. Theft OBJ
tcrvatlonS are not made III a corner,
there is no low intrigue no iecret
machination, ] am on the peoples
swn ground.-to them appeal, con.
corning their own rights, their own
liberties, their own intent in adopting
this contribution. The voice nave
uttered, al which gentlemen itartle
with iuch agitation, is nc unfrieudiy
voice. intended it as a voice Of
warning. BY this people, and by
the event, If this bill pahes, | am
willing TO be Judged, whether it be
not voice ct wridom.
The bill, which is now propofed
to be patied, has this atiumed princi.
pie for Its balis--that he three bran
Ches OF this national government,
without recurrence TO conventions of
the people in the ttates, or to the Ie-
giilalures OF the itates, are authorized
TO admit new partners to ihare Of
the political power IN countries out
OF the original limits of the United
States. NOW, this atfumed principle,
| maintain to be altogether without
any tanction in the contribution. 4
declare 1t 10 be a masifef and afro
cious uiulpation of power, of a ma
tune, dihulvlng, according TO undeni-
able principles o. moral law, the ob-
legations OF our national compact ;
aEc lending to all the awful COME
quences which flow from fuch fate
Ut things.
Concerning this affirmed principle,
which is the BATS OF this bill, this is
the general po6uon on which / reit
my argument-that if the authority,
now propoled 10 be eXerciied, be de-
legated to three branches OF the 90
vernment, by virtue of the conftitu-
ZION, it reiults either from its gener-
al nature, or from Its particular pro-
yihons. | ihall conGder ailtinStIy
both thefe relources, in relation to
this pretended power.
Touching the general nature of the
inftrument called the contribution Of
the United States, there is no obfcu-
rity-it has no tabled delcent, like
the palladium of ancient Troy from
the Heavens. It's origin is not confu-
fed by the milts Of time, or hidden by
the darkneis of pait unexPlored ages;
it is the fabric of our day. Some
row living. had ihare in its con-
ftru6tion-all of us food by, AMI Jaw
the riGDg of the edihce. There Can
be no doubt about its nature. 1t is
political compact by whom ? And
abou; whasI The preamble 10 the
initrument will anlwer thsie quci-
tons
We, the people Of the United
States, in order to form a more per
feet union, ettabllih juitice, inlurr
domeilic tranquility, provide for the
common defence, promote the gen.
eral welfare aud fecure the bleiIings
of liberty to ourfelyes and cur poi
terity, do ordain and ettabliih this
contribution, for the United utates of
America"
1t is, ave the fe.fs Of the United
Stats5 TAR outyefves and cur poferity, !
not for the people Of LouiGana; nor
for the people of New Orleans. or
of Canada. None Of thelc enter in
to the icope of the initrument it
embraces only "the United States
of America" Who thele are, it
may teem hrange in this place, to
inquire. But truly, Fir, our imasin-
ations have, of late, been 10 accuf-
toned to wander after new lctte-
mentS 70 the very ends Of the earth,
that it will not be time ill-lpcnt 10
inquire what this phraic means, and
what IL includes. Thee are not
terms adopted at hazard they have
reference 10 fate Of things exiting
anterior 70 the contribution. - w hen
the people OF the preient United |
State began to contemplate fever
ance from the parent Aate, it was
long tine brors they fixed definite
ly the name by which they would be
aeIgnated. In I774, they called
themlelYes g the Cnlnnies and prnv