Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1815-01-19
Il ;ste;l among the original statcs, and

az, inducemeDt 10 the maie0ntent
subjects of the old world 70 come
| to these states, inquest Of executive
patronage, and to repay it by an alb
iect devotion to executive measures.
Eighlhly. Hostility TO &. Britain.
and paltiaIily 10 the government OF
France, adopted as eoincidept with
popular prejudice, and subseryient to.
the main object. party power. Con
necied with these must be ranked
erroneous and distorted estimates of
the. power and resources oftllose ma
lions. of the probable results of their
controversies, and ofeur political re
iatiaas TO them respectively.
lastly principally. A visionary
and snperiisi.l theory in regard to
ponmerce accompanied by a real
hatred but fsigned regard TO its in
lferests. and ruiRous perseverance
in efforts to render it an Instrument
.f eoercioa and war.
But it is mt conceivable that the
obliquy Of any administration could.
in so short a period. have so nearly
contaminated the work Of national
| ruin. unless favored by defects in the
lconsitn.ion.
To enumerate all the improve
mrnis Of which that Instrument is
f 4. *
susceptible, and to propose sach
mendments as might render it in
all respects perfect. would he task
which this convention has not tho'i
proper to assume. They have con
fined their attention to such as. ex
perienee has demonstrated to be
essential. and even amens these some
are considered entitled to more Sc
rieas attention than others. they
are suggested. without intentional
disrespect 10 other states, and are
meant to be suc!. as all shall find an
interest in promoting. Their ol.jscts
is ~ strengthen, and it possible to.
perpetuaie, the union Of the states.
by removing the grounds Of existing
jealoasies. ana providing for a fair
and equal representation & a linita-
ton Of powers, which have beeu
misnsed.
The first amendment pronosed. re-
lates to the apport;onment OF re
representatives. among slave holding
states. This cannot he claimed as
a right. Those states are entitled
to TIE slave representation by con
slifulienal compact. II is there fore
merely a subject efagreement. which
should be conducted upon principles
of mutual interest anil accaa,mada
ton. md upon which no sensihi'ily
on either side should he mrfnittedto
exist. II has proved un,ssst and
unequal in its operaticn-iiad this
effect been faresren, the privilege
vonI;i probably not have b en- dc
manded; certainly not conceded.
It's 'eadency in tatHre will b" a!vetse
10 that harmony and mutual coaii
dence. which are more conduri,e 10
the happiness aud prosperity ofevcrs
coataferaied state. than 4 mere pre-
ponderance OF power. the. prolific
scnrre ofjea!ausies and controversy.
can he TO any one OF them. The
fine may therefore arrive when
sense Of agnanimity and justice will
reconcile those states 10 acqaiesce ia
revision Of this article, especi ~ |
as fair equivalent would resale to
them in the apportioament of taxes.
The next amendment relates 10 the
admission Of new states into the |
union.
THIS amendment is deemed to be |
highly important. and in fact indi
sp nsisle. In proposing il. il is ,oi
Intended to recognize the right Of |
congress to admit new states without
the original limits OF the u. States
por is any idea entertained Of dis
iurbing the tranq iiity OF any state
slread, admitted into the union. The
object is merely to restrain tile con
ps~e, Of congress In adj
uniting Few sttes. Atlhe adoption
Of the constitution. certain balance
OF power among the original parties
WaS ennS ;ttpred "a. ax;sf and tho.a |