Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1818-09-15

States be applied, through well digested
system of internal improvement, toperpe-
tuate the duration and to promote the pros
perity of their Union?
Sir. (said Mr.. ny should these resolu-
lions be rejected, the chief interest which
feel, in my station upon this floor, VIII
have expired, and | shall be ready TO sur
render to my constituents an honor, barren
of enjoyment 70 me, because Improbable
10 them. Ii cannot be allowed TO unite
my, zeal to that OF my associates in this hall,
for the advancement of the public welfare,
in the only practical mode which state OF
profound peace leaves open to our industry
had rather seek more successful occu-
patton, on an humber field of legislation.
came here prepared to sacrifice, upon the
altar of my country, all my local attach
merits, and whatever party feelings, il any,
yet remained in my breast. hailed, with
delight, the arrival Of period, when me
patriotism might be combined with the
wealth of the nation, TO exalt It's prosperity
and glory. Formidable obstacles have, "a
risen in The way of this anticipation; but
| will not yet despair OF seeing II realized.
Among those obstacles, Mr.. Chairman,
il is with peculiar regret that find myself
compelled to notice the premature decision
of the President, upon the constitutional
power of Congress TO pass the resolutions
on your table. Such an anticipation OF the
acts of this House is calculated to perplex
and embarrass its proceedings, 1t not to
bias and warp IFS judgment TO lay the
foundation of improper insinuations against
any course which this House may take, in
the exercise Of its constitutional discretion.
The expression of this regret is reluctantly
drawn from me, by a sense of duty. Can
dor requires me to acknowledge, that |
was not friend to the election of the pre-
sent Chief Magistrate. believed, that
the future prosperity of TINS Union, as well
as the best interests of the state which
have, in part, the honor to represent, re-
quired, that the Executive chair should not
be, fourth time, filled by citizen OF Vir-
ginia. But, ! never, at any period OF my
lie, entertained sentiment Of personal
hostility towards the gentleman who now
occupies it, nor have |, at present, any
feeling at war with his popularity or his in.
huence. After this protestation for myself,
allow me 10 add, that do not the less re-
greet this premature disclosure of the judy
ment of the President, from my respect for
the feelings of tie gentlemen, from whom
i, is my misfortune 10 differ in opinion, on
the present occasion. | would not have
their motives subjected to imputations of an
opposite character, to those, by which mine
may be assailed; alike unfounded, am
persuaded, and, If possible, more unwor-
thy he dignity and independence Of their
public station.
When deplore the existence fanny such
embarrassment, | cannot, however, yield
my assent to an effort to rem,ve it, in the
mode suggested by the message of the Pre-
sident, which produced it-by an attempt
to amend the constitution OF the United
States. In my judgment, Mr.. Chairman,
it requires no such amendment. And to
those who concur In this opinion, such an
expedient must appear not merely unne-
cessary, but highly dangerous. For, if in
relation to every constitutional scruple OF
the Executive. resort is had TO the power OF
amendment for an exposition OF the mean
ing of that instrument, there is obviously
an end of all stability in the government.
Its very foundation will vary with the con-
science of every successive President OF the
United States. Congress cannot, hereai-
ter, should the proposed amendment fail, ex-
ercise power, the existence OF which they
have themselves admitted 70 be doubtful =
Every submission to the States of a consti-
tutional question, on which an Executive
scruple had arisen, might, therefore. in
volye in its consequences surrender OF tc-
deral authority, until the powers of the 60
vernmcnt became incompetent to its pre-
Ii has been asked, indeed, if
we are afraid 10 submit this question 20 the
people And from our unwillingness to
DO so, one of my colleagues Mr. III. Mel
sony has inferred an admission, on our part,
that they would not grant it. Were the
question submitted TO the states, how, let
me ask, would II be decided? Congress
indeed, legislate against the will
Of the President, without concurrence of
two-thirds of this House aud, consequent
ly, legislative cannot prevail against an
Executive construction of the constitution,
unless sustained by the representatives of
two-thirds OF the people of the United
States. Such will be the sanction of these
resolutions, should they acquire, as ear
nestly hope, the authority of law. But an
attempt to mend the constitution would re-
1uire, for its success, not only the assent of
two-lhrds OF this House. but the concur
renee of four fifths Of the States. II might
be defeated by the opposition of six only
Of the twenty States, who now compose
This Union 10y a number, whose represen-
Iation upon this floor does not exceed thir-
leen members out of one hundred and eigh-
ty-6ve, or a fourteenth part of this body.
Least il should be objected TO this calcula-
lion, that it is founded on an improbable
in the minority, of the least
populous Of the new states with the smallest
Of the old, let the same number be selected
exclusively from the latter, and the pro-
posed amendment me- then lie defeated
by portion of the people represented by
but twenty mine members of this House, or