Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1815-01-18

""S"a"''y ano justice VIII reconcile those
states to scquiesce in u revision Of this article
As fair equivalent would result to
them ~ the appcrtionment of ayes.
The next amendment relates to the admission
OF new states into the union
TINS amendment is deemed to be highly i'm |
portant, and in fac; indispensable. In propos-
ing IT. It 'sn0 ed to recognize the right
OF congress 10 a. new states without the O.
r.ginai limit, otthe = States nor is any idea en-
tertaincd oil disturbing the tranquility Of any
state a'f,ady admitted into the union The ob
Ject Is merely "a restrain the constitutions
power OF congress ~ admitting new states -
At The adoption OF the constitution, o certain
balance OF power among the original parties
vas considered to exist, and there was at that
u,ne, and yet Is among those parties strong
sfinity between their great and general iute-
iests. Icy the admission OF these states that ba
lance has bcen materially affected, and unless
The practice be modified, must ultimately be
destroy d. The southern states will first avail
themselves OF thcir new centederates 10 govern
he east, and finally the western states multis
Piled III number, aud augmented i'm population
VAL con oil ,he interests of the whole. Thus
Tor the sake OF present power, the southern
states will be common sufferers with the east in
the loss ut permanent advantage None Of the
old states can find AN interest in creating pre-
M, uTe'v an overwhelming western influence,
Which may hereafter discern Gas it has hereto
ore) benefits to be derived to them b. wars ard
commercial restrictions.
The next amendments proposed by the Con-
rcntion, relate to the powers of congress in re-
alton to embargo and the interdicton of COM
merce
Whatever theories upon the subject of COM
merce, have hitherto divided the opinions Of
statesmen, experience has at last shown that il
is vital interest in the u States, and that its
success is essential to the encouragement oil
agriculture and manufactures, & TO the wealth,
fnances, defence and liberty of the nation. Its
welfare can never interfere with the other great
interests OF the states, but must promote and
uphold them. Still those who are Immediately
concerned in tn prosecution OF coInperce, will
OF necessity he always minority of the nation
They are however b. ST qualified TO manage and
dnect Us course by the advantages OF exPeri-
ence, and the sense OF interest Bat they are
entirely unable To prot ct themselves against
the sudd and iDiudicious decisions OF bare ma.
lorilies, and the mistaken or oppressive pro.
Jects OF those who are not actively concern,
i'll Its pursuits. OF consequence, this interest is
81 ways exposed to be harrassed, interrupted, and
entirely destroyed, upon pretence OF securing
other interests. Had the merchants OF this na.
ton been permitted, by their own government,
To pursue AN innocent and lawful commerce,
no" difiers mt woHid have been the state of the
treasury and OF public credi' /, How short.
sighted a;d miserable is the policy which has
annihiiated TIL, orier of men. and doomed he r
sa'Ps' 10 tot Iii thc docks, their Capital to waste
unemployed, and their affection 10 be sliena,cd
from the government which was formed 70 nro
tect them! What security fer AN annie and
untaling revenue can ever be had. conon,r,hls
10 that which Vas once realized in the ,,ad
IaHh, pune Quality, and sense of honor, w;,ich
attached the mercantile class to the interest ol
the government! Without commerce, wher,.
Can be- found The aim nj for a navy y. md vie.
out navy, what is TO constitute the defence
and ornament, s"d glory of this nation No
union Can DC durao'y cemented, in viii IN every
great ht' resi- does 10, find itself rcssonab V sc
cured against tie encPoac! incnts and combina-
tons of other Interests Wh-n. therefor, 81.
past system OF "m5areocs aud commercial rc. .
tr'ctions shall hSve hen revicwed-when .bc
huctuauon and inc BsiSiency of public neo-
sures, betrayinga wen of information as we'll
as feeling IN the majority, shall have been co..,
sidered, the rcasonablrncSs OF some rcs,r;c,
IONS upon the power Of bare majority In
repeat thesc expressions, will appear 10 be OBJ
vious. ""
The next am ndme nj proposes 70 rce,ric, .bc
power of making offensive war. In tho ,o,s;-
derati0n o. this am ndInen, it is no, necassarv
to enquire into the justice of the crqsent war
But one sentinent now exists in rclati ion In lis
expediency, and regret fer lis decI,rot;cr e
nearly universal. No indemnify can eyer he
attain, d for this terrible calamity, and its only
pa'lation must bG und in obstacles IN ito G,
lure recurrence. Rarely can the state or ,his
courtry cali for or Justify offensive var The
genius of Our institutions is unfilvorable 20 i,s
snccess'ul prosecution the felicity of e,,p sim
alton exenpts us from its nc cessi,y In his r.sc
as ~ The former, those more inmcdia,eiy ex
posed to its fatal effects are . minori,v nf d..
nation. Fhs commercial, towns, the shores q,
our seas and rivers, contain the pnpuI.,;on.
whose vital interest are most vulnerable bv
foreign enemy. Agriculture, indeed, must feel
at last, but this appeal 10 its scnsbili,y comes
100 late. Ag@in the immense population which
!, - swar'ned into the West, remote from iurnss
diaie danger, and which is constantly augment
ing, will not be avsrsc from the occasional d,s
turbanccs OF The Atlantic States. Thus inie-
rest may not frequently combine with passion
and intrigue, to plunge the nation into needless
wsrs, and compel il Ia become = militarv r,-
Their thar happy and Aourishing people
ihes, considerations Which, it would be e,sv
to alignment, call louliy for the limitation pro-
posed in tn. am ndm
Another amendment, subordinate in imnor.
taDce, but sui' in high je.ree expedient r.
Iates 'othe exclusion Of foreigners, hereafter
al iviDg in the United States. from the can,c;.
" OF hohiing Offices of trust, honour, or profit
That the stock Of population aIresdv in ,bess
states, Is amply sufficient to render chi, nstio,,
in due time sufficiently great and powerful 10
nat conference.-the question-Nsr will il be