The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1822-02-13

jaish the number. Dut, Dir, ~ airy Inference
:, 10 be drawn from the existing state OF the
nation, IL warrsn,s q great increase, rstber than
~ Great reduction Of the Representative body.
i,at Sir, I have another reason for opposing
i..!s great increase Of The ratio. As one COM
,aS from one OF the smGIl States, for find,
acre are more small States than ono or two
II call those largo States, Sir, which, con.
,i,tlDg Of three or iocr In number, can unite
iheir representations 10 this House, form
rnajority, control its proceedings, and hold
the fate OF the nation 10 their hands; 8, which
can ssy to tins government, you .hail con,in-
ae 20 be, or you stall cease 10 be which Can
pefmi, its wheels to roll on, or stop them 10
their progress, al will these, Sir, call large
States the otteis aic srnall'-and as o0e
coming from one of these small States, !eel
peculiar Interest in the strength OF the ,gep-
c:ai government, and durability Of the Union.
IL Is under the projecting shield OF that go
veroment tina, the rights and sovereignty OF
The smaller States arc secure, and whilst IT'S
constitutional laws are respected and 1c'efed,
.as they ought to be, tho liberties OF those
States will be safe, end beyond the reach OF
danger Nothing bot the Constitution, that
common bond OF union, which keeps the ofbs
Of our system within their respective spheres,
into atoms the smaiicr bodies by which they
are surrounded. ] wish not, Sir, to be un
ders,ood TO express any Jealousy in relation
70 present concerns, yet it is our do,y 10 look
TO the iuurc, sud guard against not improba.
bic contingencies. In what name. then,
Sir, can this he moro cffcc,ualy accomplish.
ed, than by increasing tho sympathy which
does or ought TO subsis,, between the govern
and tha md kAtx thnsA ~ hS.
make tho laws, and those upon whom the
laws operate and how, Sir, is it to be in.
creased but by enabling the people more im-
nediately 10 take their share in Legislation,
end moro sensibly TO feel thst the govern.
ment and laws under which they live arc their
own; by giving them larger representation,
ind creating more Intimate and stronger
connection between thsm snd the government
uoder which they 1.-Two Besides, Sir, ihere
are generous aud aspi'iog mind, in every
part oi the Unioo, whose Number increases
in proportion ss your population augmen,s
they communicate to those who are around
Them their own principles attachments, and
Affections, and tho general mass Of our popu.
lation is moved ~ they arc moved by in.
cceasing the number Of representatives, you
hold forth TO their laudablo ambition addition.
sI objecs OF attrsc,ion, 10 which they, and
with them every part Of tho great body Of ,be
people, will be drawn vii, he attracted ~
,va common centre, by . P;incipie somewhat
susniogors 10 that law which binds together
the material universe. But, Sir, 1t may DO
objected, (and tho alarm has already been
soundcd,> that 10 increase the number OF rep.
reseotatives, will DO 10 melt down tho state
.gpver0mcnis into ono common mass, and
produce consolidation ok the Union.
But, sir, permit mo 10 ask how such an in-
ference can be drawN from such premises!
Though The msmbers of the Senate arc cleo
ted by the states as the peculiar euoi dians OF
their sovereignitiss, is there a member Of this
house that will yield in attachment 10 state I
'igh,s, 10 any member OF the Senate feel
confident that tbere is not, and equally conf
dent that no person can DC elected member OF
tins body who is destitute OF attachment TO
fhe rights at the state from which he comes.
Their eio,s, sir, in proportion us you increase
the number at thi, house, you increase the
numhsr Of those in the general government
attached 10 the states by evesy tic OF interest
and sRec,ion You at one and the same time
obtain additional guarantees for the protection
snt safety Of the states indisiduails, and con-
krm and strengthen their common govern
Ment snd union.
Sir, ! have another, and, j! possible, stron.
ger objection 10 this increase OF tho ratio. In
tho course Of spy shoe, experience, (and It has
Indeed been short) have heard something
said of Executive influence. j do not, sir,
induiee in any suspicion that any improper
Influence at present exists. My views are
altogether prospective, and when known eau.
scs are in operation, sod most continue 70 op.
crate, we may, without making any pretenses
10 aspiri, Of prophecy, be pormitted to pre-.
dfct the result.
The article in the constitu,ion which gives
to the President tho right 70 nominate, and
With tho consent Of the Senate, TO appoint,
Ambassadors, other public ministers, lodges
of the Supreme Coutt, ood s'l Other Offices
whose appointmeo" arc not therein otherwise
provided for, ard which are established by
law vests in him a power which ought to be