Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1824-08-24

| to the Permanent interests Of the state
itself. But, said he, if you require the
concurrence OF so large proportion 81
the members OF that tribunal, do you not
endanger the Wholesome correction
which ii was intended that court should
make OF any measures of abuse which
the states, under state OF excitement,
might adopt!
The constitution of the United States
secures to the citizens of each state the
rights of the citizens OF the several states.
The citizens OF one state may hold pro-
perry in any other state. They may con
tract with the citizens OF any other state,
and are entitled to just remedy TO en-
force such contracts. Might it not hap
pen that nonresldents might acquire
large claims against the citizens OF any
given state? Such, for example, as was
tie case lew years ago in relation to
Eastern merchants with the people Of
the West. Such, indeed, as was the
case with the people Of The state whence
this proposition originated, and The mer-
case, if the debtor state should adopt
uncons itntional measures Tor the relief
of its citizens, would not the principle
requiring large portion OF the Judges
oil the Supreme Court 10 correct such a
procedure, more expose The creditors to
injury, than the usual mode OF decision
would the debtors Such principle,
indeed, he conceived well calculated 10
alter the whole theory of our govern
ment.
The object Of government was as well
to project mineritieS as maJoritieS. This
principle would go far to destroy those
rights.
But the particular case, which might
by possibility occur for the decision OF
tins tribunal, was one ol grave aud seri-
Gus importance. He SAID the United
Safes had admitted the state he had the
honor TO represent, into the Union, under
compact thai slavery shall moi exist
within its limits. AT present, large
portion OF the citizens of that state, ~ere
under the impression that the inroduc-
ton OF slavery would tend greatly 10 re-
lieve their pecuniary embarrassmens !;
en- arrassments which indeed afflicted
every portion of the West. Acting I'M
der the influence of strong anxiety to
relieve themselves from their distress, |
many OF them were now disposed 10 test |
the binding character of this compact,
and to abrogate il. Without Intending |
to express any opinion on the effect Of
this compact, he would remark that,
should a majority of the people decide
on the adoption of the measure, ii would |
doubtless make case for the decision |
of the Supreme Court; and should it
happen, il will be a fearful question. Ii |
will involve nothing less, sir, than the |,
balance OF power between the slave and |
nonslave holding states. Those who |
Witnessed, as well as those who know of, |
the coDvulsive discussion in this House |
on the Missouri question, cannot fail to !
appreciate the magnitude of this subject. !
In deciding that question, should ii ever |
arise, if a majority of that cart shall be
found against the validity of the act OF |
the state, but not a sufficient majority |
under the provisions now under conslde-
ration, II could moi tail TO shake the ma
ton to its centre.
While this tribunal may be called on
to decide questions of such momentous |
he thought il beloved the /
House to examine we'll the effects of the /
now proposed For such ex-
we certainly are not prepared (
at this time, and the amendment, there
fore, should no, now be adopted.