Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1829-03-12

al the people, which is stated more particular.
ly elsewhere in this address, rendered some
measures for their relief ind,spensabiy nee ssa
~. lf the legislature bad not undertaken her
cause. il appesrej to be certain, as we have
already suggested that the people would take
1t INTO their own handsi and there vas reason
20 tear that the procee dinss IN that case might
be less orderly and pesOefai aud at Tue same
Thirdly. We have already stated the oh,
leets which our State government bad IN view,
IN proposing the convention at Hartford, and
the powers conferred on their delegates. u,
stead OF hese svowed objects. there bad been
my secret plo. for the dsmembe men, Of the
Union, in which it hid been desired TO engage
he neighboriug States, the measures ior that
purpose We may suppose would have been con.
Quoted IN the most private manner possible -
% the contrary. the resolution Of cur legisa.
'ure for appointing their del gates and pee
scflbing their powers and dunes was opeay
discussed esd pssssd il the usual manner and
copy of IT was Immediately sent BY the di.
reeuon of the legislature, 10 the Governor of
every State 10 the Union.
Foarthly. The only remsining question is,
whether the delegates exceeded abused
| heir power. AS to this, We have only To refer
80 the report OF their proceedings, and TO their
journal, which is deposited in the achieves OF
this State.
Tbs, report, which was published immediate
| iy after the adjournment Of the convention,
and was soon sfie accepted b, the legs.
lsture. holds forth the importance Of the U
nion as paramount, 10 all other considerations;
enforces 1t BY elaborate reasoning, and reters
n express terms to Washingfon's Fatelsea ad.
'iress, as It's lex, book. Ii, then, no p wer to
DO wrong given by the legislature to The
convention, aud if ohig uncons itutinnal,
disloyat, o. tending % disunon was IN fact done
Cali which IL manifest OF record, } there remains
no pfetex, FIR impeaching the members Of the
convention BY imputing TO them covert and
nefarIous designs excep, the unchsritabte one,
hat the characters af he men justify the belief
thal they cherished in their hearts, wishes. and
nten ieus, to do, whs, they had no authority 10
execute, and what III fact they did not attempt.
On this read. 10 the people Of New Ensisnd,
who were acquainted with those characier.,
10 explana in is necessary. For the informs
i n OF o,hegs il behoves those ofus who wee
| mt mbers to speak without reference 10 our.
5 yes With tbs reserve We may al be per-
united TO say without fear Of coau ,ction,
that they fairly represented whatever Of NOR.
| q, intellectual or patriotic worth, is to be
| found in The character Of the New Eng and
lcomnunlty; that they retained AL Tie personal
consideration and confidence, which are en-
| i0yed by the best citizcns, those who have de-
&c tsed. to the hour Of their death, and those
who 81 yive TO The present time. For the sat-
itacion of hose who look to self love, and to
| private Interest, as s2r ngs .uf human action, It
may he added, ,hs. among The mass OF citizens,
trends and Connexions, whom they represent.
were mane, whose fortunes were principally
vested in The public funds. TO whom the disuni.
on OF the States would have been ruin. That
convention may be said 10 have originated
with the people ~ Measures for relief had been
demanded from immense numbers, in conn.
ties and towns. 10 all parts Of he State. long
lbefure il was organized It's main md avowed
object was the defence IF lids part Ct the country
Ggdiaa The cannon enemy. The war then wore
Its most threatening aspeci, New England
was destitute ofnational troops; her treasures
leshausted; her taxes drawn into the national
Iceffers.
The proceedings and report Of the conven.
lion, were in conformity with this object Tbs
burden OF that report consisted IN recommend
ling an application TO Congress 10 permit the
States TO provide foy their own defenee, an d
Ito be Unidentified for the expense, by rein
Ibarsemen,, in some shape. from the National
Cove rnment, OF, At iesss, portion other ovn
money. This convention adjourned early in
January. On The 9th Of thu same month, an
40, OF Congress was passed, which gave TO the
State Governments, the very power which
was sought ny Massachusetts, viz:--that OF
trsslng organ zing, and officering' state troops.
20 be employed in the state raising the SANE,
o. in an adjoining State, and providing for their
lpAy and subsistence. This werepest was the
mos, important ieet simed at by the instisu-
tion Of the convention, ard BY the report Of
Ithai body. Had this act Of Congress passed,
before the act of Massachusetts, 70, organizing
The convention, that convention aever 1gosid have
srssed Had such an act bern anticipated By
tho convention. or passed before its adjourn.
ment, that sssemtly would have considered
Its commission as in great measure supersed
ed. For sIihougb II prepared and reported
snndry smendmen TO the consi u ion OF the
United States, to be submitted 10 all the States,
aud might even. If knowing Of this ae' Of Con
eress, persisted in doing the same hingj yet,
az this proposal for Anne ndments coud have
Ibeen accomplished in other modes, they could
rave had no special motive for so doing. but
/ what arose from their being togsthef; and
rom the consideration which might be hoped
for, as TO their propositions. from that eireum-
stance.
| II is thus matter OF absolute demonstration,
20 sll who do not usnrp the privileges Of the
lsxAHeHra Of hearts that the design OF the
Hartford convention and i,s dolngs we're DOT
only cans,itutional and landahle, bat sanction.
ed by an act of Congress. passed after the re.
port was published. not indeed with express
reference 10 i, but with It's principal features,
and thus admitting the reasonabeness Of its &c
neral tenor and principsl object
II is indeed grevoustb perceive Me. Adams
Icondescendine to intimate thar the Convention
was adjourned to Boston, and IN strain o.