Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1824-04-06


to critical examination oft. Whaie, or had
been done, in reference 10 that subject, was
not secret, II was done in public it WAS done
before the people and their decision will he
made upon 1t. Whatever of malice there was
IN human nature, had been uttered against The
individuals who attended that meeting He
did not regret that the subject had found i,s
way here, because he feared Il fair investiga-
ton of 1t, but because into this body, subjects
OF that kind ought not to be introduced Ii
could not have failed to bring furth the express
sion Offerings which ought not TO he nduIg
ed here When that meeting was represented
as great central power, which " as about to
overwhelm the Constitution, surely those who
heard it, and who attended that meeting could
not refrain from replying. II there was any
spot on earth. which he considered as <cuns.-
Grated to peace and harmony, il was The Sc
nate of the United States. /, should be our
political holy of holies-where the brand Of
discord was Eever to be thrown-where tran
qullllty and mature deliberation should ACQUIRE
the respect of the people. He had consider
ed this body the sheet anchor of the nation
as presenting limit 10 the waves ufthe other
branch and equally mac cessble TO Executive
Influenza body, whose character for pro
pretty should never be jeopardized. lie be-
lieved the nation had INDUCED "A confidence
nothing but GOODNESS and deliberation wunld
preside here. Is this question one that. in its
discussion, is calculated to promote the dig
NIFTY of this body Is it one that is calculated
to enter thus Hall? Surely not. And what is
the gen'leman's apology FOR introducing the
subject? The gentleman from New Jersey
charged him with having changed his opinion.
IN respect Ia he propriety of amending the
Constitution that, last year, he was in favor
OF an amendment, and this year opposed To
1T. The gentleman from New York states, az
a reason for this change, that great central
power, OF an alarming character, had since
spranS up 10 his view. The gentleman fir ON
South Carolina, MIR. Haynp, has charged the
gentleman from Maryland, (Nlr. Smith,; wnh
having been first to mention the word g Cau-
Gus" This, MIR. Barbour said. he thought was
unjust. Ii the gentleman from New York.
MT. KING did cot make use ofsthe icord, no.
bouy could mistake the meaning of his great
central power The gentlpman's description
bore the name upon its front
To an unadvised stranger, who had heard
the sen'lemaH from New York, it would seem
mat monster of yesterday had sprung up,
wao was threatening 10 devastate the coun-
try-and yet, Mr.. b. asked, was this any new
measure Was it not adopted in 1900, 'O4,
'08, '12, and 'I6? Yet it did not then meet
violent apprehension from him but in 1894,
II snddenly swels to great measure, threat
ening destruction 10 the Constitution Whence
"id the system originate MIR b. believed,
WIN the Revolution itself. 1t was the vene-
rated Samuel Adams, or his father who first
suggested il. 1t had its origin in the spirit
that gave birth to this nation. Wherever free
men are, they will assemble and converse
freely about men and measures. And IA Gus
tom that has produced so much good, cannot
ltsell be very bad. Mr.. b. said he had a wit
ness here at his left, (alluding probably to Mr.
Macon,) who could tell how necessary such
meeting had been found, in the early days of
tins government gentleman who then stood
as ne now stands, the guardian of his native
land. Why did he not warn the people against
a system which, according to the gentleman
rom New York, b now, like another unshorn
sampson, about TO embrace the pillars of the
Constitution and whelm the splendid fabric
In ruins Surely this is the mere phantom of
the genticman's imagination. What is this
constitution? We have vast continent, over
whlch II is to operate-a multiplicity of dilIe-
rent states What is the spirit Of the con
sltu'Ion, in regard 10 the election of Presi
oent That numbers shall prevail, in the first
lnstance-and, in the contingency of non-e-
lection by the Electors, that the House of Re
representatives. shall choose. Now, is sot the
first OF these provisions mere mockery, unless
mere can be semc inter-communication of
seDtmcnt, previous TO the election? What is
u zee nave done VenaI hirelings of the press
directed, IN some instances, by the outcasts
OIL Europe, and upon whose foreheads, ifthey
had their deserts, ought 10 hang the label " 70
De let" have accused us, whose all is here. and
who have been honored with the highest Off
ces IN the gift of the peOple-of conspiring a.
gainst the liberty of the country and seeking
40 overthrow the constitution. Where was
the meeting held 10 the Chamber Of the
House ct Representatives-in pubiic-in the
very lace oil the people-those people whose
rights IT is said we met TO betray the re-
suit is well known. Was there any intention
To recommend "a man who was ahhorrent
10 the people 1.-THE people are united in ia
vor OF another man, the recommendation
would not weigh feather. IL they were not
united, the meeting might have tendency
to produce that effect. Men are apt 10 attach
TOO much importance To themselves and their
acts, when =" dressed in a little brief authori-
ty )" they are found, however, to be but the
Inerest insects, when acting in opposition To
the views of the people. Nothing important
can result from such a meeting, unless the
candidate selected is a popular man The
simple reason for holding such a meeting is.
that the persons who go into it are the Re
representatives. Of the Propls--that they best
know the sentiments of the prople-tbey.
therefore, meet TO recommend candidates. If
this be NOT the correct way, what other will
you substitute BY private recommendation.
and, as consequence, irresponsible, or to the
conflicting presses Mr.. b. said, he was the
last man who would In lis vOrc tu curiail
the liberty 0f the press. No even in the
raak luxnrlance OF IFS RIGHTEOUSNESS, let il be
uncurbed. When honestly directed, it is the