The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1815-01-21

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nave been misused.
Inc hrst amendment proposed, relates |,
ule aPPortionment OF Representatives anon,
Siave-holding states. This Cannot BE- cla;me
as right those states are entitIsd to tr
slave representation by constitutional cci-
pact. 1t is therefore merely a subiict % "a
greement, which should be conducted pom
principles OF mutual interest and acoimo-
uauon' ana upon which no sensibiliy>n ei-
.ner sac should be permitted to exis lthas
proved UNJUST and unequal in it's orfation-
Had this effect been t9rescen. the privilege
"ouio probably not have been &nanded;
Certainly not conceded. Its tendfcy in fu-
.ure whi be adverse to that harnhy and mu-
.uai confidence, which are MOI conducive
60 he happiness and prosperity every con-
FEDERATED state, than mere feponderance
OF power, the prolific source Cjealousies and
controversy, can be TO any on of them. The
time may therefore arrive yhen sense OF
lnashah'mity and justice wi reconcile those
states 10 acquiesce in reSion of this arti-
oie' especially as fair equivalent would re-
suit to them in the appointment of taxes
ne next amendment rlates 20 the admis-
sion OF new states into tn, union.
ms amendment is deemed to be highly
Important, and IN factindispensble. In pro-
posing II, 1t is not intended to recognize the
right OF congress TO admit new states without
ehe original limits ofthe U. S. nor is any idea
entertained OF disturbing the tranquility of
an. any state already admitted into the union.-
Inc object IS merely to restrain the consttu-
eonai power or Congress in admitting new
states AT the adoption of the constitution,
CERTAIN balance ofpower among the original
parties was considered to exist, and there
was ar that time, and yet is among those
Parues, strong affinity between their great
ana general interests. BY the admission OF
these states that balance has been materially
affected, and unless the practice be modified,
must ultimately be DESTROYED. The southern
states will first avail themselves of their new
confederates TO govern the east. and finally
the western states multiplied in number, and
augmented in population, will control the in
terests of the whole. Thus for the sake of
present power, the southern states will be
common sufferers with the east in the loss of
permanent advantages. None of the old states
can una an interest IN creating prematurely
an overwhelming western influence, which
may hereafter discern Gas it has heretofore)
Dement'S to be derived to them by wars and
commercial restrictions.
ne next amendments proposed by the con-
Nention, relate to the power of congress, in
relation to embargo and the Introduction Of
commerce.
Whatever theories upon the subject of
commerce, have hitherto divided the opinions
OF statesmen, experience has at last shown
that 1t is vital interest in the u. S. and that
It's success IS essential to the ENCOURAGEMENT
OF agriculture and manufactures, and to the
wealth, finances, defence and liberty of the
nation. It's welfare can neverinterEere with
the other great interests of the states, but
must promote and uphold them. Sill those
VINO are immediately concerned in the prose-
Cutlon OF commerce, will of necessity be al
ways a minority of the nation. They are
however best qualified to manage and direct
its course by the advantages of experience,
ana the sense OF interest. But they are en-
urely unable to protect themselves against
the sudden and inJudicious decisions of bare
maJorlties, and the mistaken OF oppressive
projects OF those who are not actively con-
cerned IN its pursuits. Of consequence, this
interest is always exposed to be harrassed,
interrupted, and entirely destroyed, upon pre-
tence OF securing other interests. Had the
merchants OF this nation been permitted, by
their own government, to pursue an innocent
and lawful commerce, how different would
nave been the state of the treasury and of
pubic credit How short-sighted and misera-
Die is the pohcy which has animated this or
Ger OF men, and doomed their ships to rot in
the docks, their capital to waste UNEMPLOYED
e their affection TO be alIenated from the 20
vernment which was formed To protect them
Whdt security Tor an ample and untailing re-
venue can ever be had, comparable to that
which was once realized in the good faith
punctuaEty and sense of honor which attach
ed the mercantile class to the interests of the
government Without commerce, where
can be found the aliment for a navy and
without a navy, what is to constitute the de-
aence, and ornament, and glory of this natl
on No union can be durably cemented, in
which every great interest does not find itself
reasonably secured against the encroach-
mentS and combinations of other interests
When, therefore, the past system of elnbar-
goes anu commercial restrictions Shall have
been reviewed-when the fluctuatjon and IN.
or public measures, betraying.
want OF Information as well as feeling in the
shall have been considered the rea-
sonaolchess OF some restrictions upon the
power of bare majority to repeat these OBJ
pressons, viii appear to be obvious.
The next amendment proposes to restrict
the power of making offensive war. In the
consideration OF this amendment, it is not ne
ceSSary to enquire into the Justice of the pre-
sent war. But one sentiment now exists in
Eelauon TO its expectancy, and regret for its
declaration is nearly universal No indemni-
ty can ever be attained for this terrible Gala
NIFTY, and its only pallation must be found in
obstacles to its future recurrence. Rarely
can the state of this country call for or Justify
offensive war. The genius of our institutions
IS unfavorable to its successful prosecution
the felicity Of our situation exeynpts ne from
It's necessity this Case as i'm the for,,ar