The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1826-03-29

soul, without which they have no political
existence, has failed in the exercise of IT'S
most important functions. The proposition
carries political suicide in its very terms.
If, in the changing aspect of things, the
time shall ever come, which God grant may
never be, when the parties 10 this conPact
shall feel-for it will be thing TO be felt, not
to be reasoned upon-when they shall feel
that this frame work OF government has who'll
ly failed Of attaining its essential objects, it
will be for the unhappy generation who make
that discovery, standing, as they will do, by
virtue OF the discovery, in state of nature;
toward each other, to re-organize the elements
OF the political body, as they may or as they
can; in whatever way they do it, it will not
be that of Constitutional amendment, de-
pend upon it. In the mean time, am in the
fullest persuasion-I am under the most per-
feet conviction, that every proposed altera-
ton. which avowedly goes to change the es-
sential features of this instrument, is neither
more nor less than unconstitutional; we have,
accordingly, no right even TO consider it,
which is all we can do at Dest-we have no
right TO propose it; it is not within our COM
peteuce.
Having expressed myself thus strongly on
this point, and less strongly could not have
expressed myself, and have done justice to my
Olcr convictions, am bound to say, that, if
| there are any in this House of the class of
politicians to which the honorable mover Of
the resolutions alluded-those who feel an in-'
discriminate reverence for the perfect and i'm
perfect features of the Constitution, | am not
one. In setting my face against all alterations
Of the essential provisions of this frame of
government, am in no degree Influenced by
belief or feeling that, in these most essential
provisions, it is perfect system-far other
wise: Perfect! how can it be? Was it not
a compromise between parties equally bal
anced was it not compromise between par
ties onsihe point of breaking up the conven-
ton, and going ho;ae? For the secret which
| the gentleman from New-York (Mr. Storrs(
thought was yet 10 be disclosed, was told,
near forty years ago, by Luther Martin and
Governor Randolph. Yes, sir, they were on
! the point of breaking up the convention, when
the most essential feature of the constitution,
! the adjustment of the federal and popular
! principles in the General Government, was
tsettled, by compromise between two parties,
| in this excited state. Could we expect, un-
der these circumstances, to find it perfect
| No, sir, say, boldly-if it requires holiness
| 10 make the avowal-that | regard it, in this
most essential feature, an imperfect system of
government. | am astonished that the great
States ever, for a moment, listened to it (my
own State was great at that time il is now
small, and hope this circumstance will pro-
cure me the credit o: sincerity in these senti-
ments,) that they ever agreed to give the
small States an equality OF Power-l am sure
they would never consent TO it again. If the
work were TO be done TO- morrow, they would
not listen TO the proposition a moment. and
what then? Grant that the system is not per-
4 feet, shall the less support it and nlaiataiH
it? Sir, il is one thing to hold that the Con-
stitution is perfect, perfect as to be beyond
amendment. did not suppose that any body
held that opinion-I do not now suppose that
any body views it in that light, not even the
gentleman from Virginia, (Mr. Archery who
regards it as the work OF inspiration. Even
he is in favour Of one of these amendments.
and acquiesces in the other, which, unless he
supposes the amendments also inspired, would
be patching up inspiration with mere mortal
wisdom
| Sir, it is one thing to think the Constitution
perfect, aud another to think that, whether
perfect or imperfect, it is a compact which it
is our duty, nay, which it is our interest TO
support and it is stiIl another thing-for /
wish to give all the shades in which this sub
ject is 70 be looked att is still another thing
to believe, that, even in those points which
are fully and clearly within the reach OF a.
mend.ng power, properly construed and fairly
applied, il is better, far better, TO bear with
almost any political evil, than to fly TO the Com
stitution with amendments. declare that. in
my judgment, the very worst possible remedy
for any evil, but positively intolerable in this
country, is an amendment OF the Constitution.
1t is an acknowledged maxim Of political pru-
dence, that frequent changes Of the laws.
1 even in matters of ordinary legislation, are
pernicious. 1t is the opinion of every sound
statesman, that it is far better to bear with
any evil that is not absolutely ntolerable, than
to render the great interests of the country in
+ secure by ndecisive and fuctuating legis!a-
ton. But, the Constitution-the Constitu-
tiou-the only thing permanent which we
have the only thing which the people of the
United States have taken out of the grasp of
this daily changeful legislation the thing
which is to stand us instead of all the perpe-
tuties of the old world, ecclesiastical, politi-
cal, social, and PERSONAL; sir, do not think
it perfect, but it is good enough for me.
have lived under other political institutions !;
nearly third of my life, since came to years
of discretion, has been passed under other
forms of government and | have learned
enough of The state of foreign societies, and
enough of the political condition of the great
majority of this race of man, TO be well con-
tented with what Providence has given to us
in the Constitution of the United States;
am contented to live by it, contented when 1
die, to leave children to it's safeguard and
will sooner lay down this right hand to be
cnt off, than will hold it up to vote for any
essential change in this form Of government.
The honorable mover of these resolutions
tells us, that be was induced to propose them,
, because he regards the subject matter of them
as the most important function Of this Gov
eminent. Highly important, sir, il unques.
tonabIy is; far too important, in my view o.
the subject, to admit change 10 this part Of
a the compact But cannot agree with the
' honorable gentleman, in thinking IT the mos
y important function of the Government; and