American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1826-05-05
From the National InteIlisencer, MAY 1.

From the National Inteltigencer, May I.
We approach now the close Of the Debate on
the Constitutional Question, which some Of our
readers would have b. en- glad to see earlier had it
been proper for the qualification of their curiosity,
to orerleap the intermediate space in order to arrive
more speedily at the conclusion.
Because we did not choose to do this, some prints
have taken up the amusing notion that we suppress
sed this report, and one print has gone so far to
speak Of the notice which took, at the time, OF
the last days debate, as having been concerted with
the National journal To this silly suggestion, the
Journal has thought it worth while to publish de-
NAL. Without taking that trouble, for our part,
we improve the present opportunity to put in a
general denial to all suggestions Of concert in our
movements, between US and any body. Sef-movcd
and self supportedce seorn the imputation of sabser
to any thing but what appears to US to be the
public good-bowing always with Difference to pub
lie opinion, when opposed to ours, and always pay
ing respect to the opinions OF others, however
rant from our own. We may sometimes mistake
the public gnod: but so may those who differ from
US. We may not be as much ercited in the pursuit
of our object others are, but we do not know
that VIC should do our duty to the country any bet
ter, either BY subjecng ourselves to the guidance
Of continual gust OF passion, or by Luting or ft
Ting as the wind flaws South, East, or West. 1t
may suit the purpose OF a certain description OF
politicians to stigmatise this seadness of purpose
as purchased neutrality: zoe call it consistency
a quality of which We should be glad to see little
more in those who think we have too much of it..
The price at which It is purchased is a clear con
science-a jewel, however valuable, of which we
are little covetous, that il would give pleasure
to share the possession of it, even with those d
our enemies Uh0 tcant It,
Il would seem TO be the proper aim Of every
practical statesman entrusted with power, to study
wherein the laws of his country ave defective, tina,
he may supply their omissions - wherein they are
contradictory, that he may render them uniform
wherein they injurious, that he may modify
or repeal them-and wherein beneficial that he
may extend their operation. 1t is impossible to
say, how much ingenious thought, how much vau-
,lc time, how much honorable labor might advan-
,ageously be devoted to these inquiries. 1t is i'm
possible to estimate their infinite importance over
abstract and unavang speculatons the theory
OF government which has ceased to be a mere
theory, being in most successful practice.
The immediate interest of the governed is the
great subject and duty Of legislation. The happi
ness Of the people is the great purpose of govern
nent and he who devotes his talents and his leisure
to the removal of single practical grievance felt
by individuals, however humble, in their daily con
Germs. deserves infinitely more OF the community,
than him who studies the constitution to make them
Disconnected, and to DEAL after new manner, the
cards OF power.-What doth it avail the honest
debtor, suffering under long defeated hopes, and
suppressed power and painful captivity, to be told
that the Congress which should yield him relief, are
wasting their time upon fruless discussions on the
merits Of that Constitution, which the people deem
sacred, and which they themselves violate, BY not
obeying it's mandates What doth ii avail the hon
est CREDITOR who seeks only protection from fraud
uen, assignments. to learn that the happiness of the
people is much more concerned in The choice of the
President, than in the rights Of individuals; and
that it is better they should be deprived of justice,
than the leaders OF party should be defeated Of
power. Charleston Courier.
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