Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1815-02-25
From the Boston Patriot.
A SKETCH OF THE

AsKETcH OF THE
HON Mr.. HOL MES SPEECH
in the Senate of Massachusetts against the
proposed amendment of the Constitution
OF the United States to exclude the Slave
Rer-escn' alton.
Mr. lRksIDKNr,
We're there no other objections than the
manner and time of introducing this a.
uendment, these alone would be sufficient.
J. asbeen recon mended by an ASSOCIATE.
or Of men who were probably selected for
very different purposes, and who could de-
rive no authority from the law or constitu,
tor l have denied, and still deny, that the
M mbers Of the Hartford Convention had
more power than so many unauthorized in
dividnals. To act, recommend or advise
AID these individuals would be entitled to
more respecr did they not assume a tone and
Crsequence to which they are not entitled.
] ID hope that the committee of the Les
sislature, who reported this aud the other
amerdm' rts, void l,ave favoured us with
some reasons for It's adoption But this
they have failed to do, either in the pre-
ambIe to he report. or when called upon
st the board. IL seems that amendments
TO the constitution are 20 be introduced and
passed with as little ceremony as the most
trifins resolve land this, too. in time
Of war and arry rancour.
A constitution or charter of government
should rbrain character for stability. 1t
should be the offspring Of calmness and dis.
erection. Ii is not made for day or a year
or to crafty party. Why, then sir, are
we called upon at this time, to alter that
charter which was the result of the great
est wisdom and the purest patriotism-the
eff, It of compromise, produced by mutual
&C, cession, and candour and forbearance.
Treg ct, sir, that have not the aid Of
tie Hon President of The Senate, as once
|. r Lad IN opposing Innovations upon
tie Constitution under he present amend
n7cnt | very well remember, that some ten
CT twelve wears ago, in the ether branch OF
thi, leFis altar that witnessed the talents
and zeal Of the president, in opposing an a.
u e. dment to the constitution upon gener-
al ! j. il fs. We then unit, d in depre.
eating innovation in the national charter,
urCn irivoIuus pretences, and without the
most pressing and palFable necessity. We
urged hat such amendments would dimin
ish and destroy that habitual attachment
1 r he constitution which was essential to
its pTesrrvatioD. And we feared that by
frequent alterations the energy Of the sys
TEN might be impaired, and cur government
becoTe the football Of every faction. But
times are changed and gentlemen cease
to reverence that constitution as soon as it
ccase8 to SecHTefo Than hoTver and control.
Had the present minority been the MAORI.
ty IN the United States, am inclined to be
lieve, that we should hear them Lond in
thcii deruntiatlcus Of all these innovations.
WI rh you proHer in the name of amend
I 4 IL q
WAsHIN IS of little authority with
the present majority OF tits state. But, il
gentlemen can be induced to look at and
respect his opinion, they will find in bis fare
well address an excellent text on the sub.
ject Of amendments to the constitution.
Hive these Few gentlemen who met AT
Hartford the vanity to presume, that they
haze more wisdom TO discern the general
3 Cd and more influence to reconcile con-
f'cgng interests. or subdue inveterate pre-
JUDGES, than tile sages who framed the
constitution with WASHINGTON az their
head! Could this constitution ever have
been adopted, had not the necessity been
most urgent, and The danger most eminent
We had just emerged from the war of the
revolution. The tempest had subsidized and
~ The sunshine of peace, we had hoped 70
ENJOY the fruits of our patriotic labours.
Bot thirteen free and independent state,
varying in size, power, and habits, intox
icated with the attribute of Sovereignty
and flushed with the prospect of Iibe rty
were to be united under one federal head
How was this to be effected. and upon what
tCrmsS Each by the confederation had an
equal vote. These states were now to a.
dept government, wherein these diFeren-
ces were to be reeoDciled' Was the state
of Massachusetts to be put on level with
Rhode Island! Was Virginia to stand on
equal ground with Delaware This would
be outrageous. Were the voices of these
little states to be in proportion to their
members' BY this their sovereignty would
be exunsuished and their names forgotten.
Besides, different habits and prejudices