The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1829-03-11
WHOLE NO. a919.

militia arrayed, and encamped at an enor-
nous expense; pay and subsistence suppli-
ed from her nearly exhausted treasury, and
reimbursement refused, even to this day.
Now, what, under the pressure and excite
ment OF these measures, was the conduct os'
the federal party, the "devoted majority"
with the military force of the State in their
hands with the encouragement to he de-
rived from conviction that the Northern
States were in sympathy with their feelings,
and that government could not RELY on ite
own friends? Did they resist the laws /?
Not in solitary instance. Did thew
threaten separation of the States Did
they array their forces with show of such
disposition? Did the government or people
OF Massachusetts in any one instance
sWerve from their alegianre to The Uninn
The REVERSE Ur iii Why uss..-.A.---
doned by the national government, Ascause
she declined, Cor reasons which her highest
tribunals adjudged 10 he constitutional, to
surrender her militia into the hands of
military project. although they were always
equipped, and ready and faithful under their
own Officers, she nevertheless clung to the
Union as to the ark of her safety, she or
dered her well trained militia into the field,
stationed them at the points of danger, de-
frayed their expenses from her own trea-
sury, and garrisoned with them the nation
al forts. All her taxes and excuses were
paid with punctuality and promptness, an
example by no means followed by some of
the States, in which the cry for war had
been loudest These facts are recited for
no other purpose but tina; of preparing for
the inquiry, what becomes of Mr.. Adamss
key" his project" and his postulates 2"
The latter were to all intents and purposes,
to use his language, contaminated"
Laws unconstitutional in the public opn-
ion had been enacted. A great majority of
an exasperated people were in state of
the highest excitement. The Legislature (f
his word he takenl was under the manage
ment of the leaders," The judicial courts
were on their side, and the juries were, as
he pretends, contaminated. A golden op-
portunity had arrived. " Now was the win
ter of their discomfort made glorious sum-
mer." All the combustibles for revolution
were ready. When, behold instead of
dismeinbered Union, military movements,
a northern confederacy, and British alli-
ance, accomplished at the favorable mo-
ment OF almost total prostration of the credit
and power ofthe national rulers, II small and
peaceful deputation of grave citizens, Sc
lected from the ranks of civil life, and leg
lsiatlve councils, assembled at Hartford.
There, calm and collected, like the Pill
- 6. Gov al orn they descended, and not
ui'tf'f' - L~,--Lo III .,.l.;or.,l 81
independence of their country, they deIiEer-
ated on the most effectual means of pre-
serving for their fellow citizens, and their
descendants, the civil and political liberty
which had been won and bequeathed to
them.
The character of this much injured as
semhly has been uljected to heavier im-
pntations, under an entire def, iency not
only of proof, but of probability, than ever
hetel any other set of men, discharging
merely the duties of "A committee of IA legis-
lative body, ami making public report of
their dolngs TO their constituents. These
imputatons have never assumed a precise
form, hut vague opinions have prevailed of
II continuation TO separate the Union. AS
Mr.. Adams has condesceDded, by the man.
ner in which he speaks of that convention,
to adopt or countenance those imputations
on its proceedings, we may he excused for
making few more remarks on the subject,
although this is not a suitable occasion to
60 into full explanation and vindication of
that measure.
The subject naturally resolves itself into
four points, or questions.
First, tie constitutional right of State
TO appoint delegates to such convention:
Secondly, the propriety and expediency
of exercising that right at that time:
Thirdly, the objects intended to be at
tanned by it, and the powers given for that
purpose by the State to the delegates and
Fourthly, the manLer in which the dele
gates exercised their power.
As to the first point, it will not be doubt
ed that the people have a ri hit d" in an or
derby and peareable manner to assemble TO
consult upon the comI on good - and to re-
quest of their rulers :" by the way of adj
dresses, petitions, or remonstranres, re-
dress of the Wrongs done them, and of the
grievances they suffer-" This is enumer
ated in the constitution of Massachusetts
among our natural, essential and unaIiena-
hle rights; and It is recognized in the con-
stitution of the United States and who
then shall dare TO set limits to its exerrise,
or to prescribe to lis the manner in which il
shall be exerted We have already spoken
Of the state of public affairs and the meas
ures of the general government, 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
suffcrings and apprehensions could no lon
ger be silently endured, and numerous
meetings of the citizens had been held on
the occasion in various parts of the country.
1t was then thought that the measures call
ed for in such all emergency would lie mole
prudently and safely matured and promoted
by the government of the State, than by
nnorganiled bodies of individuals, strongly
excited by what they considered 10 be- the
unjust and oppressive measures of the gen.
erai government. IF all the citizens had
the right, jointly and severaly, to consult
for the common good, and TO seek for re-