Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-12-24

s use .aiue OF tne votes of those 1.-THE sclf.secctrd
par, OF this osseelnei, who represent them. VIVA
Is The use Of deliberations? WHY did we ras;,, ,'
seiv's INTO special Committees; in q r,,r;.,,. ~ "
reiitiohs: why do we sit here DISCUSSING oues,inn.
from DAY OF day, and from week to wock, WI, a.,
the people look round to collect the tri,-.h u
iaiid, that they might bring their prudence mn, ;
DOM dom, and experience here3 Why all this, if nil No
nave to do Is only to add and to subtract, NJ g."
this representation of the question Which 7 to;o -.
has had more effect both here and elsewhere Inn III
otner arguments. is utterly faflacous. Consider.
in;,; s U' majority or minority do not belong to the
functions OF counsel and lriibera,ion AMI WIN, !,
inc Character of this assembly? We were Son, 80
30 counsei anu deSoidie. to take broad surrer re
'ie "i'e'y spread nation; TO take the measure NJ
us lii ere$s, and ITS capacities; to weigh f3cts t
u'aw cautious ana sagacous induc,ions: and ~ to
suomi TO tiIe people not what they have prescribed
out tliat Which think u majority of Tho nori'
ought 70 rGtfy. We are not be iirest,|Icd b., ~
cnlaons; we are 10 present the result of wide y;cw
VI the true interests Of The state taken Inv tho ,n
wisdom OF this body We are to carry
mo eiect the principle of selection We are -
nave the influence of the patrarchs of the land 10
recommend the resnit OF our Investigations We
are To nave the nestiuablc value of tic ,,.oh, &c
their authority. They are to stand hnfnro H. -
as instructors, not Us The passive Instruments oF .
foTegone decree. ''' VI C.
Ihe rue question is, what in the opinion of this
committee, with all its experience and all its noI;ti
cal prudence after ali its inductiens from, an cTte5
gu OF the interests, crcums anccs habits
lu psSNaI aptitGoes OF the state, majority OF the
Here we are on foundation where we can oxo,
clse our minds: not filtered by he results of caIca
tonS, which, by decomposition, has the authority
OF mandate, tak>5 away from US all free vii .,
counsel, and leaves mere Instruments IN oeco-,n
numbers. and to record a pretended decree
nave remarked that the argument which irit no
% hoss frequently used, yet really the most prev
aiet ana lfresisfab!e, IS tho argument Of epthets
Shall address myself to that first
hft US tneh enquire, whether the amendment and
lne principles on which it proceeds, merit the dispar
shah De indicated by the judgment of the Commit
tee, IN addressing myself first to this part of tIc Az
sTment' because am satisfied that there is not enc
VINO mas looked upon recent and passing scenes and
mas anticipated Others still not DEVELOPED who will
not cohcede that the argument of epithet is most
potent one' II no. the rnt potent one ON all polt-
agree with my friend from Chcs. e-iind that thoy
IS one yet more potent, and it is this:-yYe are, or
sha De, the majority. Yet this is of little VAL
Ie' n uiieccon'panied and unaided by the other. I
snaii oer my humble effort to disarm my opponents
CT ms argument, by showing that it has been ora
tui"usiy assumed, and most wantonly npplicd
shai endeavour to do this, from the reason Of
tie case, from the concessions of our atyersnr;rs
themselves (adversaries hope ony as thev are on,
opponents IN argnment,) and from the EXAMPLES fur
elsiled by the political institutions of our sister
states, and OF the United States.
as the means of fixing stigma on nm opinon
heiu ny so many, gentlemen have assumed that that
opinion commences with the postulate that there are
no principles IN government. | am under no need
OF indicating The eyentlernqr from Nnrtbonntou
from this impptaton he is able much moro ntaol
luaiy TO indicate himself Whether such sent
nieht Is Justly ascrbed to him, whether in fnct !,
was ever uttered by him, and if il vas wbetLnr :.
must not IN common charity, be received as only
strohg expression OF the opinion, that sinolc pr,
t;s - ot sae glde IN adapting political nstisu-
mantan2 leave for gentlemen to determine.
iiere MI CpsHuR rose and declared that be never
uttered the opinion.
MIR. SrANARp resumed
ava not hear the gentleman utter the sentiment
and his dsavowal Of conforms To INV rccoifoc,;
ot ms Argument, Such position is part of my
ton to thls dogma, that the principles of govern
heht, are numerous and nultforn; as much so ms
eTe me interests, habiudes moral condition and
physcal situation OF the people TO be ooyarnoG
NO principles II government! Every one of tboco
considerations is the fruitful parent Of numerous -;n
cPes ana IS the business Of the esman by wide
" extended observations, e. searching in yes{ontione
to extract the principles which ought to renuiaie
their organic or municipal law. Principles mIl-
uPiy WIN the dlverstleS in situation habits and in.
teresis, OF the people TO be governed. They are
ieW ana simple among new people, whose popula-
t!on IS homogeneous, whose interests are united ard
among whom, no great disparities or conlrnrieties
are 10 De found: they become numerous, and they
multiply IN geometrical ratio, as such people ad-
Vahces to maturity they diversity their mi erests
ana by long continuance under system of organ.
&c law, they become gradually moulded by it in all
their habits and interests. These principles offer,
take their origin from different parts of The social
clrc!r-they traverse and intersect each otier-onc
princ!Pe often encounters antagonist principle
ana then It's the province of wisdom 10 discern and
OF prudence to allow the due proportion of force to
each Under the government of reason all of them
are entitled to their own pIerogatives-though not
equal (Ike tancled republic of men where all are
equal all have volce--and the ear which will not
hear all is deaf from the influence of prejudice ana
averse from tile policy which alone can conduct to
peace and happiness. No one principle is to have d
dcSpoCic sway end TO hush to silence all the rest
All are to be heard and here is our point of differ,
rnce.
Gentlefaen have imputed TO the supporters of the
amendment OF my friend from C"lP"pcr til syow
al or the maintenance of the sentiment that thcTc
are no principles in goverpment--and t1ey on the
opposite hand have given to one solitary principle.
aespolc sway, silcncing all the rest. Gentlemen
have applied themselves to what ii,ey were ,lsaseI
70 call an anayss Of the princlrle.s OF rnuer,Lnan.