Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1815-02-02

anu oartiality 10 the late government OF
France. adopted as eoineldent with popular
IRE iudice, and subseFvient to the main o6-
lecf, party power. Conneesed with these
ms, be ranked erroneous and distorted es
inmates Of tie power and resources OF those
patious. of the probable results os the con
troyersies. and of our political relations to
them respectively
LaStIg and principally A visionary
and superficial theory IN regard to com
merce. accompanied by real hatred but a
feigned regard to is interests, and ruin
Gus perseverance in efforts to render it an
instrument of coercion and war.
But il is not conceivable that the obliqui-
ty of any administration could, in SO snort
a period, have SO nearly consummated the
work of national ruin, unless tavoured by de-
fects in the constitution.
To enumerate all the improvements OF
which that instrument is susceptible, and
to propose such amendments as might rem
der it in all respects perfect, would be a
task. which this convention has not thought
proper to assume--Phey have confined
their attention TO such as experiences has
demonstrated to be essential, and even a
moug these some ave considered entitled
to a more serious attention than others
They are suggested without any intentional
disrespect 10 other states, and are meant
to be such as al shall find an interest in
promoting Their object Is to strengthen
and if possible to perpetuate, tile union OF
the states, b. removing the grounds OF ex-
islng jealousies, and providing for fair
and equal representation and limitation
! of powers, which have been misused
The tirst amend nent proposed, relates,
TO the apportionment of representatives a
mong the slave holding states. This can
not be claimed as fgh,- Those states are
entitled to the slave representation, by a
constitutional compact. Il is therefore
merely subject of ag,eement. which
should be conducted upon principles OF mu-
tuai interest and accom- III odatloD. and upon
which no sensibIiits OH either side should
be permitted to exist. II has proved un
just and unequal in its operation Had this
effect been forcseen, the privilege would
probably not have been demanded Ger
tainy not conceded Its tendency in fu
ture will be adverse TO that harmony and
mutual confidence, which are more condu-
Give to the happiness and prosperity OF eve
nv confederate state, th.n me re prepon
derance OF power the prolific source of
lealousies and controversy, can be to any
one of them Tie time may therefore ar
rive when sense of magn. nimisy and JUS
tice will reconcile those states to acquiesce
in a revision Of tais article. especially as a
apportionment Of taxes
The next amendment relates to the ad-
mission of new statcs into lie union
This amendment is doomed to be highly
important and In fact Indispensable In
proposing it, it is not intended to recognize
the right OF congress TO admit new states
without the original limits OF the U. States,
nor is any idea entertained of disturbing
the tranquility OF any state already admit
ted into the union The object is merely
to restrain the constitutional power of con
gress in admitting new states. AT the a
Gop,ion OF the constitution. q certain bal
ance of power among the original parties
were considered TO exist, and there was at
that time, and yet Ia among those parties
strong affinity between their great and &c
neral interests BY the admission of these
states that balance has been materially al,
lcC'Co, anu uttlSos eflS PiaC'iSO DC uipoihSo
must ultimately be destroyed. The south
ern states will first avail themselves of Their
new contederates o govern the east, anu
finally the western states multiplied IN mum
Der, and augme ted In population, will
controul the int ests of the whole. Thus
for the sake of present power, the southern
states will be common sufferers with the
east, in the loss If permanent advantages
None OF the old states can find an interest
in creating precnaturely an overwhelming
western influence which may hereafter
discern las it has heretoiore) benefits to be
derived to them by wars and commercial
restrictions
The next amendments proposed by the con
vebtion, res.e . the powers ofcongress,
in ralation 30 embargo and the Introduction
of commerce
Whatever theories upon the subject of
commerce. have hitherto divided the opin
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