The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1826-04-13

ing Ol I OnrreSS, tnlS hcpuOllc PROMISES "
furnish TO the Plenipotentariss of the Con
greSs, all the facilities demanded by hospi-
tally among kindred people, and by the
sacred characters of ambassadors" The
same stipulation is cxacted by all the other
nations from Colombia, and by her from
them, if the Congress should be compelled
to remove its seat.-Each nation exacts a
guarantee for the protection OF its Plempo-
tcntlaries; clearly proving that they are TO
be merely Plenipotentiaries; merely di-
plomatic Congress or Council, and incapa-
bic ofprotecting themselves.
Besides, all the Treaties in the stipula-
tions for the formation OF this Congress, and
in defining its duties, and It's office, limit the
Congress to the power Of council mere
ly. Article l4th in the Treaty Of Co.
lOmbie and Mexico, which is but a trans
cript of the same provision in the 9TH
er Treaties, aud which define the office OF
the Congress to be 40 serve as Council
oP great occasions; a point Of union in COM
mon danger faithful interpreter Of Pub
lie Treaties in cases of misunderstanding (;
and an arbitrator aad cenciliator of disputes
and differences"
This is all the grant OF powers which the
Congress have made to them: this is the
whole of its constitution for though, It is
said, in the Sd article OF the Treaty OF Co
lolnbIa and Chile. they are to adjust the
contingents therein mentioned and in the
lith Article of the same Treaty, that they
are to cement the intimacy Of the union be-
tween the States, these Offices are virtual
ly included in the above definition of their
duties. Now, how is it possible TO say that
here is a grant of any powers, except those
of council Tho Congress is expressly
made to serve as a council on great occa-
sions, not as a government on great occa-
sions, or OH any occasions, but as a council.
Will il be said that these occasions may
embrace milit % and naval operations Be
It so still it is only council as to them not
power to order, not power TO direct them.
The question is whether they can do any
thing more than advise. They are to
serve as point of union in time OF danger"
This makes them the central point of COM
munication, and the vehicle Of intelligence
10 the allied sovcreignties. Surely this is
nothing more than the power Of Advising
They are "to be faithful interpreter of
Treaties in cases of Misunderstanding.
BY this they are to give opinion and advice;
nothing moro. VIII it be pretended that
they have S not &c only Sota t9c Rf9MGE te interpret
il not r. syllable that implies any power
whatever TO enforce their Interpretation,
land as an arbitrator and cohcl'a'or Vi u's'
putes and differences"
Their treaties were the only source oul
Of which could arse any disputes ana dIi'
terences to be arbitrated; they being inde'
pendept soyercignties, and meaning to re-
main such. And surely arbitration III sncf
case implies nothing more than opino'
and recommendation and what proves u IS
that they are to be concliators as well u
arbitrators. At any rate, arbitration IS no
judiciary power, strictly speaking whlcl
! imnlies exec stioil "a we'll as adjudication
As TO adjusting contingents, what IL tina
but an agreement Of the parties by their q
oents. yhat the contribution OF each sha
5e2 Is that power to enforce the contr
hutton , No one will pretend it.. AS to &C
mentnp the intimacy Of their relations, thu
lsurclv. Is the Office Of ffrendshipnotoi torc'
VIII it be said the body will be permanent
What has that to do with the question oil j
powers pa council may be permanent;
power may be temporary. Ihe D'ctato
shin Of Rome was temporary power. w
!, still he con,ended that this Congress Is
confederatiye sovereignty? What one pr
, ropa,ive of sovereignty have theyg "a
thew raise armies No, they cannot. "a
they equip heets2 No, they cannot. u
thew command either the one or the othe
, No thew cannot. Can they levy and &C
E lect taxes? No they cannot not cent G.
thew levy, not even for their own subs
. tencc that they must owe to their appoiI
, ments and had they nomeans oi living Q
r by their own powers, they must starEe
I. death. Can they declare war, OF conciu
. peace {? They can do neither. Can tn
:, regulate any subject whatever of their
: tcrnal policy Not any. They cannot ev
; advise on these subjects.--Can they c.
: money and regulate the currency! I
= were they TO attempt TO do this they ma
- themselves criminal, and expose themsel'
\ 20 punishment. Can they pass any law
-, execute anv They cannot.--liayc u
- the power Of protecting the society arol
,bem , They have not even the power
~ nro,ecting themselves. They can do M
= Of these things; for the SIMPLE reason, I
:, they are not government, nor lntende'
10 70 be government, but merely a Congress
dinlofnatic agents for consultation and
u, u, yice.-Can any one suppose that, in in'
eu ,io,,;ng the nature and character OF
y. Sc Congress. we are to look to any thing
'la tho Treaties by which it is construt
'sc and defined? Or that il can be other
70 70 What those constitutional acts make
III Newspaper speculations about il, reyl
I Iie mon i. whether North American or 81
rus American proclamations that allude I
20 incidentally--are these to be taken
- light in this inquiry? In every pom