Virginia advocate. [volume] (Charlottesville, Va.) 1827-1860, 1829-03-07

Ivy had aged Now was the winter of their
discontenmade glorious summer All the com
: oustibles q revolution were ready. When. be.
hold insad of dismembered Union. military
movemenSh northern couiederacy, and BIRTHS
alliance, acbmplished at the favorable moment OF
almost toltProstraton of the credit and power OF
the "ationh rulers, small and peaceful deputa-
ton OF grse citizens, selected from the ranks of
civil lie, hd legislative councils assembled at
Hartford. There, calm and collected like the
filgrims 0m whom they descended, and not I'M
mindful off those who had achieved the indepen-
dence OF neIr country, they deliberated OIL the
most etfecihl means Of preserving for their fell
ow-citizers and their descendants the civil and
political Iicrtv which had been won. and be
queathed to- them.
| ~ character Of this much injured assembly
mas 6ear subjected tn heavier mputations, under an
entire deficiency not only of proof but of probabi-
ty,'han ever bete any other set OF men dscharging
merely tie duties of a committee of legislative
body, and making public report of their doinos
to their constituents. These mputations have
never assumed precise form, but vague opinions
have prevailed of combination to separate the
Union. As Mr.. Adams has condescended by
the manner IN which he speaks of that conven-
ton to aipt or countenance those imputations
on its proceedings, we may be excused for ma
king few more remarks OH the subject, although
this is nota suitable occasion to 90 into full ex-
planationi and vindicatlon Of that measure
The subject naturally resolves itself into four
points or questions.
First. the constitutional right ola State to ap-
point delegates to such n convention.
Secondly. the propriety and expedency of ex-
erclsing that rgh at that time.
Thirdly, the objects intended to be attained by
1t, and the powers given .Or that purpose by the
State to the delegates and
EOurthIy the manner i'm which the dolano tc.
exercised their power.
As to the first point, it viii not be doubted that
the people have right 6 in an orderly and peace
able manner to assemble TO consult upon the COM
mon good, and TO request of their rulers by the
way OF addresses. petitions, or remonsrances, re-
dress of the wrongs done them, and of the griev-
ances they suffer. This is enumerated in the
constitution of Massachusetts among our natural,
essential, and unaienable rights and it is recog-
nized in the constitution Of tie United States
and who then shall dare set limits to its exercise,
or to prescribe to us the manner in which it shall
be exerted We have already spoken of the
state Of public affairs and the measures of the GOV
eminent, in the year 1914 and Of the degree of
excitement, amounting nearly To desperation, to
which they had brought the minds of the people
in this and the adjoining States. Their sufferinrs
and apprehcnsions could no longer be silently en-
dured, and numerous meetings OF the citizens had
been held on the occasion in various parts of the
country. 1t wss then thought tina. the measures
called for in such an emergency would be more
prudenty and safely ma,urcd and promoted by
the government Of the State, than by unorgani-
zed bodies of individuals, strongly excited by
what they considered to be the must and oppres-
sive measures of the general government. If all
the citizens had the right Jointly and severay to
consult for the common good, and to seek for a
redress OF their grievances, no reason can be CIV
en- why their legislative assembly, which repre-
SCENTS them all, may not exercise the same right
in their behalf. We no where find any constu-
tional prohibition restraint Of the exercise of
this power by the State, and if not prohibited, it is
reserved to the State. We maintain then that
the people had an unqnestionable right, in this as
well as in other modes, to express their opinions
of the measures of the general government, and
to seek, by addresses, petitions, circumstances,
to obtain redress of their grievances and relief
from their sufferngs.
But whilst strenuonsly maintain the right of the
people to complain to petition and to demonstrate in the
strongest terms against which they think be
unconstitutional unjust oppressive and to do this in
which they shall deem convenient or effect
ual, provided it be in orderly and pcaceabe manner
readily admit that wise people would not hastily re-
sort it, especially in this imposing form, every
sion of partial and temporary discomfort suffering We
therefore proceed 10 consider,
Secondly the propriety and expediency Of adoptinp
that in the autumn of 1914 On this point is
enough to say, that the grievances that suffered
and the dangers that apprehended that time and
the strong excitement which they produced among all
the people, which stated particularly elsewhere in
this address, rendered for their relief nds
pensaby necessary If the legislature had not underta
ken their appeared to be certain have al
ready suggested that the people would take it their
hands; and there TO fear that the rro
ceedngs in that might be less orderly and peaceful
and at the time, less cficacious
Thirdly. We have already stated the objects which
State government had in view proposing the con-
pf crrodo J,
egates If, nstead of these avowed objects there had
been any secret plan for dsmemberment OF the Union
in which had been desired to engage the DeghbouriDg
States the for that purpose may suppose
would have been conducted in the most private
possible On the contrary, tho resolution of legsla
ture for appointing their delegates and prescribing their
power and duties openly discussed and passed in the
usual manner; and copy of it immediately sent,
by direction Of the legislature The governor of every
State in the Union.
Fourthly. The only remaining question is, whether
the delegates exceeded abused their powers. As to
this have only refer to the report Of their proceed
ipgs, and TO their journal which deposited in the
chives of this State.
That report, which was published Immediately after
the adjournment of the convention, and soon after
accepted by the legislature, holds forth the importance
OF t Union paramount to all other considerations
and enforcing by elaborate reasoning and refers in
press terms to WaShngton foreceU HddrcSs its text
book. II, Men, power to do wrong gUen by the
legislature 10 the convention, and if nothing uuconstu-