Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1819-04-16
yIRGINIUS.



NO. D
TO THE EDITOR OF THE ENQUIRER.
Sir: The constitution OF the u. S..was
ably discussed aud maturely considered,
before lis adoption: and the foresight OF
those TO whom the subject was -cOnfided
by the people, appears 10 me 10 have pro
vIded, as Tar as human wisdom and eau
ton could provide, for every great con-
tlnSency. Independent OF the exposition
given OF that instrument coiemporaneouS
with lis adoption, il is believed the con.
siitnliOn carries on lis face conclusive ev-
! idence that the states, III their sovereign
| characters are each parties 10 the compact.
| What do lis trainers call the instrument
1T Is the constitution Of The United
| States OF America :" and will the supreme
court attempt 30 transpose United
| States" and make it read United Peo-
| pie {" know not on what photographed
| they may rely to sustain such inierpreta-
| iion-but The common sense of the Ame-
rican people will hardly pay much defer
ence TO such al authority, even should
one be found. The title of the paper, If
1t does not convey the idea think il do. $,
must have been given to gid The pill.
which il vas attended by stratag"m 10 in
duce the American people 10 receive. -.
|
| OF its trainers.
| Ii is not merely the title of the consiitu-
| ton which lusities NY argument IN lis
details is To be found HE most satisfa
| tory evidence 49,. list. The constitution
| could not go INTO operation without Tie
| ratification OF g" nine Staies." See Art. T.
| VIII the supreme court here gain amend,
| by inserting 9 Of the people" so as 10
make thread "oftbe people OfnIne siates?"
do not mean 10 say that HE people bad
! no agency or interest IN the formation Of
the constitution; they had and still have
deep and lasting agency and interest
mol only IN It's adoption, but in its adni-
nistTaiiOn aud continuance. What con-
tend for, is, that II was by q with the con
sent and appreciation of The people that
the States Joined IN this union: without
such appreciation and consent IL would
have been binding on the people they
considered il league between thirteen
| sovereign and independent states as IA
surrender OF a portion OF their sovereign
! ~ 10 federaiivc government, which as
To particular objects might be considered
a national goverDD emf acting directly OH
tile people, and as 10 other subjes Is 1, con-
federacy 10 which these states in their
corporate characters were alone parties {;
as 10 which objects they might exercise
a legal and proper control. The reason
for this arrangement Is appareHi-ihe
state authorities can act with more celer-
lily, certainty and effect, on any political
question, than ihe people of the states
dispersed throughout The Union. Not
that they possess more intelligence, or
understand brfier the rights or The inter
ests of the people u, that they are an
nlially assembled together, il is their
diy to take care Of tie public interest !;
Their numbers aud the CELEBRITY d prompt
ness with which they can and ought TO
aci IN resisting amy encroachment on the
part Olihe general government we're the
| operating reasons TO induce the trainers
OF the constitution TO make The states, in
their sovereign characters, parties iO the
compact, that their right To interfere
| should not he questioned and a. one
efficient check TO government possess
ing such unlimited patronage, and there
I by having the means 81 acaairing danger
Gas power, which ultimately might ieopar-
! die The liberty of the people. 10 make
them obviously parties, the 7lh clause
was so worried as to require fhe raiifca-
lion Of nine states before the constitution
should go into operation.
I'd. II not only required Identification
Oi nine states, but the constitution is 10
the general, 10 be altered or amended
through Tie legislatures Of The different
| STATES, and then ilnce-fonrllis must
concur. See AIT. D. Would II not be an
anomalous case, that the tribunal having
Tie authority 10 amend an Instrument
should be considered as no patiy 10 that
instrument The legislatures oflhr states
representing for ilc TINE they exist Ire
soyereiguiies Of tie STATES, may alter,
change or modify tie constitution Of the
United SiaiCs SO - 10 irjiey aray It's
power, DESTROY IT'S energy. aud pdralize
ITS operations. leaving ,he shadow 81 20
ycmmcni. without power, energy, effect
or rgspectahlillt and see ihs dcslT0y
ing power IS 80 party 10 tie compact