Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1826-03-24

10 be felt, TO be reasoned upon-yheu thev sI, il
ieel, that this framework of government has wholly
iailed OF attaining It's essential object will he for te
unhappy generation who make that discovery, standing
rs tcy VIII do by virtue of the discovery in state OF
nature toward each other to rcsuganize the elements
OF inc political body, as they may they CAM IN
way they 60 IT. will be that of constit
tiopai anendinedt, depend upon it. In the mean time
am IN the fullest persuasion-I am under the most
perfect conviction, that every proposed alteration
which avowedly goes to change the essential features os
's instrument, is neither less than uncopsti
lutlonal we have accordingly, no right even TO copsi
slder IT. winch IS all we can do at best-,e have no
rign, TO propose II; it is no, within our competence
Having expressed myself thus strongly on this noipt
and less strongly could not have EXPRESSED ,nvecIf
anu have done justice 10 my o,oa convictions am
oo'hu 10 say at II there are any in this House OF the
Ie class oil politicians 10 which the honorable mover
inc resolutions ailuoeGulose who feel
reverence for the perfect and imperfect features of the
constitutions am not In setting my face against ali
alterations OF the essential provisions of this frame
governments am IN no degree influenced by belief
or teeing that, IN these most essential provisions il is
perfect systemiar otherw Use: Perfect! how can il be,
was IL not compromise between parties, the point
OF breaking up The convention, and going honle9 For
the secret which the ntleman from New York MIR
Storrs thought was yet to be disclosed was told near
forty years ago, by Luther Martin and Governor Ran
doiph Yes, sir, they the point ofbreaxnr TN
me convention when the most essential feature of the
constitutions the adjustment OF tie federal and uopular
principles in the General Government was settled bv
comp' omse between two parties in this excited state
Could we expect, under these circumstances TO find il
perfect: NO. SIR say boidy-f ii requires holiness
to make the avowal-ttat regard it. in this most cs-
sental feature, imperfect S, stem of government
am asonished hatte great states ever for moment
listened 10 1t; (ny state great at that time; it is
small, and hope this circumstance " i'll
me Inc credit OF sincerity in these sentiments that
they ever agreed 10 give the small states an EQUALITY Of
poweri am sure they would never consent to il again
II the work 10 be done Tomorrow they would not
listen to the proposition moment. And what them
port maintain it, Sir it is one thing 10 hold that the
constitution Is perfect perfect, as to be beyond
atnennendt. did not suppose that any body views it
IN that light, not even the gentleman from Virginia.
Mr.. Archery who regards as the work of on
Even he is in favor of one Of these amendments and ac
acquesces in the other, which, unless lie supposes the
amendments also inspired, would be patching IN insn
ration with mere mortal wisdom
SIR, 1t Is one thing to think the Constitution pcrfect
and another TO think that neither perfect or imperfect
II is compact which it is duty nav which il is our
interest to support; and il is still another thnp-Cor
wish TO give all the shades in which this SUBJECT is TO be
looked att is still another thing to believe that even
in those points which fully and clearly within the
reach OF the amending power properly construed and
aIry applied, II IS better far better bear with almost
any political evil than fly TO the constitution with
amendments IdecaTe, that in my Judgment the very
worst possible remedy for any evil not positively noI-
cradle in this country, is amendment of the constitu
ton 1t IS an acknowledged maxim of political pr,l-
depce, that frequent changes of the Laws even in mat
tiers OF ordinary legislation perucious IL is the
opinion OF every Sound statesman tina it is far better Ia
bear with any evil that is absolutely nto!erahe
than TO render the great interests of the country inse
cure by indecsive and calculating legislation But the
constitutlon--the constlution-hc only thing perIna-
nent which we have; the only thing which the people OF
the United States have taken out of the rrasn of ts
daily changeiu legislation; the thing which is to stand
us instead of ali the pcrpetuties of the old orgd ecce
sias;ical, POLITICAL social and personal; sir 7 do not
think 1T perfect, bit il is enough for me- have lived
under other political Institutions: nearly third of nv
q Of
ed under ether forms of governments and have learn
ed enough of the state of foreign societies. and cuouo
OF the political condition of the great majority of this
race OF man, 10 be well coDtened with what
has given the constitution of the United States
am commended 10 live by il; contented when die TO
leave my children in IFS safeguard; and will sooner Law
down This right hand to be off than will hold it I'M
to vote for any essential change in this form of govern
mcnt.
The honorable mover of these resolutions tells us
that he induced to propose them because he regards
the subject matter of them the most important fnc.
ton OF tins Government. Highly Important sir It url-
qucStiOnably far TOO important in my view of the s
lect, to admit change in this part the compact But
cannot agree with the honorable gentleman in think
ing 1t the most important function of the Governments
and, II he will permit me the reflection must saw that
do lower the tone of politics. that we lower the
tone Of our legislation, that lower the tone and spirit
OF tins People. by granting TO questions Of this personal
kind an acknowledgment of paramount Importance
am Tree TO confess sir, that regard very many tunc
tons OF this Government important tian the
election of President. the constitution of this House
OF The other House of the Judiciary the power of Con
gress questions of Internal improvements The pow
or oil acquiring and governing territory without limia
ton, beyond the bounds of the United S;ales these are
far important than the modification of the election
Of Presidents; and, if believed the power of amend
UeDt was unrestricted, would much sooner discuss foi
days and weeks amendments to the constitution that
Should Touch Of tlese questions wherein The great
interests and industry Of the country are wrapped ~
than those which we Lave in hand. Sir take Tie
error TO De, tha OF confonding what is Of importance
TO the individual citizen, with what is important 20 tho
people at large To The individual citizen 10 the few
prominent political leaders, whose talents and services
place the Office ofPresdent within the reach Of Iaud-
able and well regulated ambiiou il is unqiostionably a
subject of the greatest importance TO them il is a
question neither more nor less interesting than whether
Trey shall attain the highest honor, Which ibis or any
other couniryin this any other age ever did or can
afford But is dis the light in which The Office is pre-.
sented 10 the majority of the people, Nothe Consti-
tuition of the United States has given no powers TO the
President, depending the modification of the electo-
raj choice, by which he be made dangerous TO tho
Z