Massachusetts spy and Worcester advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1823-1825, 1824-06-09

elseaoherI lit ought to appear either that the
manifesttion oft was accompanied by prep
aration resist the laws, or byresistance in
fact; orelse that the opposition in this quar-
ter was founded on alleged pretences of dis
content, d which the opposition in other States
did not lrticipate. lfneither of these asser-
tons carbe maintained; fno show of actual
oppositio was made; nor any pretence of riev-
ance aSitted among US, but such as was re-
sarded irthe same light in other places, there
is manifet injustice in the condemnation of
one and tie acquittal ofanother, upon evidence
equally applicable to all. How then stands
the eVidece? None has eve: been suggested
OF any actual opposition prepared or offered to
the laws. None of Massachusetts, having done
Il speak q, deeds not words) {" what she ought
not 10 haze done" What omission Of posi-
tive duty an then be laid to her charge? In
her pohtac4 capacity as member ofthe Union
she had ndduty to perform but that of furnish
ing troops obedience to acquisitions? And
can 1T be Pretended that she did not furnish
them? Rr militia was held in constant read
mess iromthe beginning to the end of the war.
They weri always on the alert; attachments
were nlad' TO the full number at any time re-
CURED attachments Of soldiers, not mere
human 6tBds, as destitute of equipment as Of
feathers but of horse, foot, dragons, and
artillery, eady to be embattled. Nothing COM
parable t, this state Of preparation could be
found out Of New-England. 1t was so perfect
at " the head quarters of the sBoston stamp"
as to oxtort the appreciation of the national
Executive Government. The preparatives
offered only in two particulars from those of
the South. First, in their completeness, and
next, IN their being furnished al our ola er-
psnSe. Money was supplied as we'll as men.
Inc taxes IN all their odious and oppressi, e
variety were paid with exemplary promptness
1t Is certain that the militia was not in most
instances surrendered to the national Project,
and thereby hangs constitutional question.
Inc merits OF which pause not now to exam
me. But is it strange that it should be ques-
lion When in time of no peculiar excite
ment we see the Legislature of Virginia en-
ploylng counsel TO contest the right of selling
paltry ticket in the ancient dominion, and
that OF Kentucky convulsed, by the assump-
tion OF Jurisdiction by the Supreme Court in
cases involving the validity of municipal
law, and her Governor speaking the language
OF absolute defiance. When we attend to the
tame kindled in Ohio, in South Carolina, and
ready to burst forth in every State South and
West upon any construction of the constitu-
tion which encounters local convenience or
habitual prejudice, can it be matter of wonder
or OF censure that in case of incomparably
greater Government, such question should
hhave arisen If the President has the right
not only of deciding upon the presence of the
constitutional contingency which iusti6es his
calling out the militia, but also of appointing
his Pre- fertc tn
the power at any moment of converting the
whole militia OF the nation into Pretorian Co.
hoTfS. stop not to discuss this question.
only say 1t is tremendous power and an aw-
fully pregnant question. A question compar-
ed with which Che controversies about sedition
acts and alien acts, and national banks, and
Cumberland roads, and lottery tick ats, and &C.
cupying claimants, and "id genus omne, are
paltry squabbles. 1t is question about the
power of the sword, which settles all other
questions. Efyou say ii is clear the President
has it-be itso. But let me ask again;-WGs
Il then so clear that doubtfulness must not be
presumed? So clear that hesitation became
CRIME! Was the retention of the command by
the state Executive, under the circumstances
OF that day. equivalent to an obstruction of the
laws-a "paralyzins of the means and agents
OF the Governments" 1t cannot be pretend
ed. The orders Of the Government were car
ried into effect, though not by the appointed
organ.
Exclusive of this controversy, not an instance
can be adduced of topic of complaint or re-
monstrance from the earliest hour of the new
order OF things under JEFFERSON to the close
OF the war, in which either New England or
Massachusetts stood alone. None in which thew
were not countenanced and supported by the
opposition IN Congress from every State in the
Union by the majorities of the Legislatures
IN other states when occasionally federal =
by the mnorlties when otherwise by meet
lngs IN cities, towns, counties, Court houses
and squares IN all the States on this side of the
MISUNDERSTANDING beyond it; and by the
lnvariable tenor of the federal newspapers in
every State of the Union.
These are broad assertions, which it is in
any one's power to establish or refute, who
will consult the newspapers, records, and doc
umentarJ evidence of those times. To confirm
them by adducing the plenary proof of which
they are susceptible, would require compila-
tons andreferences much too copious for the
limits prescribed to these letters. But enough
may be comprehended in a glance, to satisfy
Va ~ put tHSIu Ill d tram u SdllS-
fly themselves.
To commence with the opposition anteced-
ent to the war. The object Of it is comprised
in two words-The restrictive system. In all
ITS moods and tenses-through all its labyrinths
OF embargo, nonimpertatiop, and noninter.
course, with its acts supplemental and explain
atory, and all its reduplications of pains and
penalties, on land and water. 1t was TO this
system and to this alone, to which any idea of
serious discomfort or disaffection could be at
tached. This alone had bearing upon our
foreign relations, and the peace of the country.
lnproof Of this it need only be mentioned, that
upon the intelligence ofMr. Erskine's arrange
ment with our Government which it was sup
posed had put an end to the Sc Terrapin'' sys-
TEN; the most unqualified commentator was
bestowed on Mr.. Madison by his former oppo-
nents, and according to writer devoted to his
interest," he was claimed as a federalist and
Washingtonian--and "the democrats began
to grow jealous" Decisive testimonials of
qualification in the arrangement were indubi-