Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1812-03-02


'nlt from the exercise of this right by the In
legislatures OF the respective statess The IN
answer Will be found, i'll an attentive consid- Ii
erauon OF the powers of legislation, which II
the people have delegated to the national
legislature; in a view Of the peculiar struc-
ture ct the Senate, III relation to those pow |,
ers, and the policy &C that structure The |
nature ct this inquiry prcciudes such n view
Ci this part of the subject, as its importance |
merits. Let it suffice, therefore, to remark, |
that the objects which induced the establish |
nent OF the national government are all of |
Character TO require the Steady htrS,th Of
cohSistcnf councils ; and that the attainment
OF that stability and consistency is well Sc
cured, by the constitution of the United States,
through the medium of Il Senate. consisting
ofmembcrs, all of whom are above thirty
years of age have been nine years, It least,
citizens of the United States have been
% chosen From the whole population Of the
States Ot which they are respectively the
Inhabitants, by the legislatures tSereof; who,
when elected, are entitled to serve for six
years and who are moreover, so classed in
relation 10 the period when their times of
service expire, as to prevent the introduce
tioR OF new members. from produciug at any
one instant, an entire change OF their whole
boay. On this subject, Publius, who cannot
''N W. hiItIutt'lS CCnSulISu, on WUdtcNCrTG-
lates to the intention Of the authors of the
Constitution Of the United States, remarks
" that the mutabilty III the public councils
arising from rapid succession of uew
''nnembers, however qualified they may be-
points out in the strongest manner the nc
cessity Of some stable Dstit;lfion in the 90
"vernment. Every new election in the states,''
he adds. sis found to change ono half of the
Representatives From this change of men,
"nust proceed change of opinions; and
from change of opinions, a change of mea-
"sures. But he concludes" with great
truth, "that II continual change even Of coot.
" measures is inconsistent with every rule
" OF prudence and every prospect of success
tthc state legislatures, therefore, exer-
else an absolute controul over the delibera-
tons of tina. branch of the national legisla-
ture, by the peculiar structure of which. this
essential quality "of stability" was design
ed to be impaired to the national govern
ment, there is an end to all hope that such
WILDE the result. The majority whoinstruct
q senator, may not be, will scarcely eUe,. be
the same, 10y whom he was elccten the in
struc'icns of one legislature may be counter
manded, varied, or contradicted by its imme-
date successor Is this improbable? Have
MT two of the largest states been known, in
one year, TO anathematize, and in the very
next, to eulo3izc the very same federal adj
mlnlstration, tor the very same measures?
And, how often, does if happen in all legis-
lative assemblies, that the success of the
Most important measures of national policy
turns upon few votes. The approximations
for carrying into effect, treaty, solemnIv
ratified by the President and Senate. and
that President, "the father ofhis country.
passed the House Of Representatives in COM
mittee IF the whole, by a majority of one.
I'm no Inv 49,; c.I,.
The very question, which has given rise to
this investigation, "Whcthcr the Charter If
the Bank OF the United States should be re-
newed" was lost in the Senate bv the e1--
official casting vote of the Vice President.
Setting aside the influence which the legis-
laturc Of single state, the least, in the uni
on, or = mere majority Of the state legisla-
tures, might thus acquire il extending, on re-
ducing the constitutional powers of Congress.
which can be done, legitimately only by a.
mendments, sanctioned by Concurrence OF
three tonrths Of the whole number Of lcgisla-
lures; and, then only, where Congress- shall
prefer to 90 conventions" that mode of t. king
the sense Of a majority Of the whole people !;
what will be the effect of this interference aud
absolute control carbohydrates fthe states
Upon measures OF NATIONAL policy? To carry
OH successful war, how manv nicely adjust
ed and mutually dependent operations are
requireds Each Of such operations nav be
regarded a 4 link in a chain of causes and
effects. Il is chain, beginning in truth and
binding 10 heaven the destinies Of the nation.
Let link but break, and the nation sinks.
And shall the unsklful hand of one IMPROVE
dent legislature be allowed to endanger such
an issue
1t is utterly impossible, that the members
of an assembly, gathered from the comDara
lively narrow limits, Of n single state, can be
well acquainted with the;nterests of the whole
United States.--With catacify to ACQUIRE
such knowledge, which is not denied to them.
they cannot be expected to combine the lei
sure and meditation necessary FORTS success
tus exertion. The very numerous, extreme
y minute, buthighly important details of state
legislation, If not neglected, in pursuit of diff
terent objects beyond their sphere of action.
VIII alone suffice, to consume, as much time,
as they can afford TO spare, from their do
mestc avocations. If they insist upon legis-
lating, by in8trHcfiOH8, for the nation, they
must Begiect 10 make iazva for the state And
70 use the language of Washington, apDlied
20 similar subject, their instructions will be.
" the miniature Of Ill concerted and inconp-ru-
Gus projects, rather than the organs of cen
" sstcnt and wholesome plans C.gested bv
" common councils, and modified by mutual
" interests"
What will become Of the character Of the
Senate, OF the feelings aud character Of its
members! an responsibility of that branch
OF the legislature to the nation ut large. viii
az length, be utterly destroyed; as must be
~ me, all sensibility, among its members, to
pubic opinion. The failure of any system of
policy, from whatever cause it NAV origin
q Nj h.. IL -