The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1826-04-06


! pie, IN that section of country tfom whicl
| come, the legislatures of several state.
appointed delegates TO meet at place il
Connecticut, rendered memorable by thei
meeting; those delegates recommended
10 the several states the proprety of pro
! posing such" amendments Of the Constitu
ton, a. would prohibit Congress from pass
lng any law layin9 an embargo for any pc.
| Rod longer than sixty days--near thi.
time, the people Of Kentucky, dissatisfied
with the conduct of one of their Senators
who voted against the late war. the lepis.
iature OF that state proposed such altera.
uons IN the constitution Of the u. States
rs would reduce the term of n Senator in
congress, TO four years and the people of
iehliessee, who act with unusual despatch,
III peace and war, actuatcd, perhaps, by
slHiiar motives, the Legislature of that
state proposed amendments to the consti-
tutlon, which passed both branches, with
only SIX dissenting voices, fixing the sena-
torial term AT three wears: suppose these
various propositions had been attended TO
suppose all the propositions to amend the
constitution that have been made, since its
adoption, had been followed up with actual
amendments, what would our constitution
now have been? Cherish this spiri, of
innovation, this disposition to make the
constitution bend to all the grievances that
some men suppose exist. and what will our
constitution be, in q few years to come !?
teSSetated pavement, in truth, here a
piece OF white stone, and there piece Of
black.
30 Ia as relates to the propositions now
under discussion, have not heard any call
from the people. that ought to be needed
or regarded. The resolutions adopted bv
the legislature Of Tennessee, have not vet
been concurred in, BY single state.
New York legislature, as well as Massa-
chusetts, have reported against them nci-
tfcr South Carolina nor Georgia has Ia
ken any order upon them ; and if any state
has, y IS unknown to me, yet, from the
tenor OF the remarks of some gentlemen
VINO have addressed the committee, one
would he led to believe that the people
were ripe for revolt or, to use the quoted
language OF the gentleman from Tennes-
see, (Mr. Polk,) were ready "to cry aloud,
and spare not" Yet the people. who are IA
Ole, through the legislatures of the several
states, to do. in effect, what we are called
upon to do for them, are peaceable, quiet.
contented, and satisfied. When they arc
dissatisfied. l have no donlt we shall hear
tiuu Them, anu tney VIII he listened to. | !
have heard Of three physicians, who, by |
concert, met the same man, at different !
places, within a given time, each telling |
him that ne was unwcll, that he was dan
rerousIy i'll, and who succeeded in per
'uading him. though in perfect health. that !
he wasSin fact, dangerously Ill. DO gen |
'temen look for like success in thcir at |
'empts to satisfy the people their rights
IRE sacrificed, and their liberties in danger |
1t they do, they will. as | apprehcnd, be
There is vet left too much !
virtue, there is yet remaining too much in
Lelligence. | am, mr. Chairman, almost
to say, that all the amendments
To- the constitution which have hitherto
been made, were unnecessary. Perhaps |
the llth article, relating to tho STABILITY Of
states, was necessary; but the ten pToccd- |
ing ones are. as so many decaratory acts,
n bill Of rights, an enumeration OF rights |
reserved, but the reservation of which did |
not depend upon the enumeration of them:
they are. in fact, like the propositions of
nv honorable friend from Massachusetts,
(Mr. Bailey,) giving to Congress the pow
cr TO make roads, TO cut and construct ca
nails, when a large majority Of this House
have no doub; Congress has now this pow
or, and when large majority of the ma
ton is as well satisfied, as 10 the powers Of
Congress, as this House is.
am not disposed to view superhuous
legislation with more favorable eye than
special legislation; they are both, in my o.
plnlon. equally obnoxious; and wo might |
as well have the constitution altered as Of
ten as persons suppose particular evils ex-
lst under it, as to amend it for the purpose ,
clear and explicit what the Wis
est men in the nation are now well persnad- /
ed IS sufficiently plain. come now, sir. 70 |
The amendment Of the constitution, which .
was made in 1904. relative tn the election ,
)f President and Vice President This |
vas the result ofa supposed evil manifest
nd IN the election Of mr.. Jefferson, in 1sOi /
II numerous ballo,inrs were evils. they 1
were. indeed manifested; but those kind of
evils exist in all our State Legislatures, in \
he election Of senator's to Congress. as
well a. in the election Of other officers;
similar evils exist in all the Eastern States. |
when. in questions submitted to the people.
r,a'oritles are necessary to q choice: but, |
with a fol- knowledge Of them. and the |
consequent inconvenience and DELAY grow !
inc ont Of them. the people Of the New
ENGLAND States have always submitted To
them. In the presidential election refer. /,
red to. no one will contend that the peo- /
pies choice was not elected bv the House
Of Representatives, and that ir minority 1
President was subsequently elected, ma
ioritv President was at that period chosen.
n,