The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1815-01-18
tyoL- s4.---No. ST..


tempt to pervert the sense of the clause in TIN.
constitution which ccnfers that right, and is
incompatible with other provisions i'm that
instrument. Tie armies Of the u s. have
always been raised by contract, never by con-
scription, and nothing more can be wanting
to a government possessing the power thus
claimed, to enable it to usurp the entire con-
troll of the militia, in deroga.ion of tn autle-
rity OF the state, and to convert it by impress
ment into 4 standing army.
1t may be here remarked as circum-
stance illustrative of the determination of the
Executive tn establish an absolute control o.
yer all descriptions of citizens, that the right
OF impressing seamen into the naval service is
expr;ssiy asserted by the Secretary of the
Navy in a late report Thus practice
which IN foreign government has been re-
gart'ed with great adherence by the people,
hnds advocates among those who have been
the loudest to condemn it.
The law autl,orising the enlistment of mi
nors and apprentices into the armies OF
the q >. without the consent of parents and
guardians, IS also repugnant to the spirit of
the constitution. BY construction of the
power to raise armies, as applied bv our pre-.
sent rulers, not only persons capable of con-
tracing are liable to be impressed into the
army, hut those who are under legal disabili-
ties to make Contracts are to be invested with
this capacity, in order to enable them to an
nul at pleasure contracts made in their behalf
oy legal guardians. Such ALI interference with
the municipal laws and rights Of he several
states could never have been Contemplated
by the trainers of the constitution 1t itnpairx
the salutary control and influence ofthe pa
rent over lis child, the master over his ser
want, the guardian ever his ward and thus
destroys the most important relations in soci-
ety-so that BY the CONSUMPTION of the fathsr
anu the sedu ton OF the son, the power Of
the Executive over all the effective male
population OF the United States is made COM
plete.
such are some of the odious features of the
novel system proposed By the rulers of a free
country under the limited powers derived
from the constitution. What portion of them
will be embraced in acts finally to be passed.
1t IS yet impossible to determine. It is howe
yer sufficiently alarming to perceive, that
these projects emanate from the highest ala
thoIity, nor should it be forgotten, that by the
plan OF the Secretary OF war, the classificati-
on OF the militia embraced the pcncple OF
direct taxation upon the white population
only and that in the house of Representa-
tives, motion to apportion tie militia among
the white population exclusively, yaic,i
would have been in its operation a direct tag,
was strenuously urged and supported.
In this whole series of devices ard mea-
surcs for raising men, this Convention discern.
atotal disregard for the Constitution, and :.
disp Nsltion to violate its provisions, demand.
| ing from the individual states 4 firIn and de-
cidcd opposition, An iron despotism can i'm
pose no harder serviSude upon the citizen,
| than to force him from his home aad his oc-
cuPation, TO wage offensive wars, undertaken
tS crafty the pride or passions Of the master.
| he example of France has recently shewa
that cabal OF individuals assuming to act IN
the name of the people, may transform ths
| great bocy OF citizens into sold rs, and deli
| yer them over into the hands of a single ty-
rant. No war, not held in just abhorrenc.
| by people, can require the aid of such stra-
| tagems to recruit an army.
Had the troops already raised, and in great
numbers sacrificed upon the frontiers of Car-
ada been employed for the defence os tie
Country, e had the millions which have been
squandered with shameless profusion, been
! appropriated to their payment, to the Lrotec-
tim OF the coast, 81 to the naval service, there
| would have been no occasion for unconsttu-
! uonal eXpedIents. Even at this late hour.
let government leave to n. England the rem
| liant OF her resources, x she is ready & able
to d.end her territory, & 20 resign the gloriss
and advantages OF the borccr war, to those
who are determined to persist 10 its prosecs-
lion.
That acts OF Congress in violation of the
Constitution, are absolutely void, is an unae-.
HiSO4N l'O'i-Sh' II uDCS tCl, nCWENeT, Cons
with the respect and forbearance due from.
contederat state towards the general po-
velTinent, to fly to open resistance upon every
ntiaotion OF the Constitution. The rslof.e md
the energy OF the opposition, shocll a3gys
Conform TO the nature Of the violation, me III
tentlon Of its autllcrs, lhe extent of the injury
inflicted, the determine ion Manifested 10
persist nit, and the tanger-of delay But in
cases 81 deliberate, dangerous and pa;p able nj
fractions Of the Constitution, Affect Y the ,c-
verei 5pty OF a state and liberties of the pen.
pie /; 1t IS not only the right bat the duty Of
Sucii state to interpOSe It's authority tor their
protection, i'll the manner best calculated "a
secure that end. When emergencies occur
which are either beyond the reach OF the ju-
diCal tribunals, on too pressing TO aslnit Of
tie delay incident to their forms, states.whicL
nave 10 com non empire, must be their own
judges, aud execute their own decisions /,
VIII thus be proper for the several states 20 q.
wait the ultimate disposal of the obDoxiou:
measures, recommended by the Secretafy
OF War, or pending before Congress, and so e
use tieir power according to the Character
these mt asuges shall finally assume, as eGec-
luaily 10 protect their own sovereignty
and tile rights and liberties of their citi
zcns.
The next subject which has occupied tn,
attention OF the convention, is the mean.
Of defence against the Common enemy.--
Ihisuaturaly leads to the eng 1iries, whether
any e5;pectati can be- reasonably entertain