Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1820-02-15

inieiral enemv. While II skaters tho energies
OF the uatlonal arm-it removes the ioundA-
tons at domestic trdaYriHug, weakens aud di-
minISdeS the meanS of common defence, and
huries in The guiph of deSOla,ion aud ruin the
'celfurc and liberties of the naton.--'Eo pre-
vent these evils, Congress have constitutional
iigst 10 say that Missouri. iH becoming. a mem
her Of this cOEtedetacy, though she shalt nave
authority 10 form constitution containing all
the principles OF freedom and Justice shall
not cHgiatt iuto that constitution, a power
which would shoot forth into monStrous over.
grown deiOrmitV and Suhvert the whole IA
bIic OF the national government Iicen-
uouSae$s and liberty are distinct, and very
ditieren, things. \ license TO rob plumber
and murder, Il II were known disposition to
incorporate a into their uStitutiuu existed
among the people OF d territory, might. pre-.
same, for the security and general welfare OF
the nation, he Inhibited by Congress, as auun-
changsable condition of the adoption OF such
territoiy into ilte family of the Union: and
who would copteud that such inhibition vio-
iated the republican character Of the state so
adopted: The arguments on this point might
he extended, but other views of the uestion
demand attention.
'Ehe proposed corditian is objected TO- on
tn ground that II w0Uid be - permanent, mn
asieTabie by the state authority;" that :" i;
VIII impair The SOvereignty of The state, on
whici il Is impOSed-will take from il a RI rht
not surrendered 10y ANY Ot the old states, az
the adoption OF the constitution. aud will
bring tile new state into the Union uneuu.I
az rights with the other states. '-Althou.h az
h have before asserted. and attempted TO move
theiightS of sovereignty would cot be abridred
by the pending restriction, because then do not
embrace the porer If deSpoiipg innocent huiral
beings Of their freedom; yet, for the sake of
argument, let us for moment take for granted
That they would, and enGeayour 10 ascertain
how lar the fac; would give validity to The
objection Just cited. Would not the state of
Missouri still stand on as elevated ground AS
dih the other states, both old aud new, az tile
GlstatG
are the number of conditions propoScd i'm the
case under considerations One: only one :
anu that 0gatget s'dreTyi aIairst that stmne I'd
onS IhlquIty iot the prevention and suppress
Sion OF which, all righteous governments are
instituted AN iniquity which takes ava The
, righttml sovereignty of one class of the people
aud which is the very rererSe of freedom and
republicansm. Is is not a matter of general
u" orlvty, ana susceptible of historical proof
Z a, the thirteen original states, in a spirit of
lIberaiiiy and accommodation, aud with n dis
position To promote the general good of the
nation, mutually surrender ed, not only one
but DiHny Ot their rights and PRIVILEGES M the
time of the adoption of The constitution? I'm
proof of this tact be- permission to refer to
The letter addressed TO the Congress of the
United States, by the convention which framed
that instrument. The whole letter would nor
be inappropriate to the OccasiUn-the follow
ing extracts must suffice. S'It is obyiousIv
imprac ucable III tie federal government of
these states, I" secur" all Shis otinde pendent
eVNOieiSh'y W Cdtii ana Net provide tor The
interest and SGf'ty of all: individuals entering
INTO society must gre Hp a Share of liberty
to preserve the rest The magnitude Of the
sacrifice, must depend as well on situation aud
circumstance, as on the object 10 be Obtained
IT'S, at ali times, difficult 10 diaN v,ti, ry,.-
cison The Hue between those rights which
must he surrendered, aud those which ulav be
reserved; and, o. the present occasion this
uihcui'y was increased by differ nce among
Tue several states as 10 their situation, eXtcut
habits, and particular interests" Fach. ,
state. viii doubtless consider, that H. Il her
Interests neen alone consulted. tie -on.e-
qnences might have been particularly disagree
able or injurious to others"
TO be conckAded ON THMrSdnn1