Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1829-02-17

but il would be their duty, to consult together,
aud, il practicable, 10 furnish these from their
own resources. This would be IN AID oil the
general government. How severely the people
OF Massachusetts experienced al tha' time 'he
wan, of this ability or disposition, in the gem
eral government, we need not repeat u inc
legislature Of single State might under such
circumstances endeavour to provide tor IT'S DE-
fence. without infringing The national oo"Pao''
no reason is perceived, why they might not APP
poin, committee or delegates, to confer Win
delegates Of neighbouring States VINO were tA'
posed to like dangers and sufierings, to devise
and suggest 10 their respective legislatures
| measures by which their own resources might
be employed Sin a manner not rrpugnant 70
their obligation as members OF the Union -
A part o! New England had bren invaded, and
was then held BY the enemy, without an eHor.
by the general government I" regain u; a"o J,
another invasion, which was then threatened
and generally expected, had taken pace anu
the New England States had been still desert
ed by the government, and lett TO rely on 'ne,r
own resources, il is obvious that the 8rst mooe
Of providing for their common defence wouia
have been by simultaneous and combined o2'
Grafton Of all their forces. The Sta'es origin
ally possessed this right, and we hold that II
has never been surrendered, nor taken from
them by the people :,
The argument on this point might be easily
extended; but we may confidently rely on the
two grounds above mentioned, 10 wit, the right
of the people, through their State LeRisla'u res'
or otherwise, to petition and demonstrate Tor
redress Of their grievances; and Inc righ' OF
the States in time OF war and oil threatened
invasion, TO make the necessary, provisions 'or
their own defence. To these objects was CONN
ed the whole authority conferred by our legis'
la,ure on the delegates whom they appointed
They were directed to meet and confer with
other delegates, and 10 devise and suggest mea'
sures of relief for the adoption OF the respective
States; blu. not 10 represent or act lot tnelr
constituents by agreeing 10, or adopting any
such measures themselves, or in behalf OF the
States.
But whilst we strenuousy maintalnihs right
Of the people, 10 complain, TO pe'ihon, and 10
remonstrate in the strongest terms against
me- asures which they think to be unconstiu>
tional, un Just, " oppressive, and to DO TINS IN
the manner which. they shall deem most conVe~
MEN, or effec,ual; provided It be done in an OR
derly &peaceabe manner; we readily admit that
a wise people would not hastily resort to 1t,
casion of partial and temporary discomfort Of
suffering. We the, efore proceed 10 consid-
er,
Secondly the p, oprie,y and expediency Of a
doptinp tina, measure in the autumn OF 1914
On this point, it is enough to say, that The grie-
vances tina, were suffered and the dangers that
were apprehended at that time, and the strong
excltemen, which they produced among all the
&c n I,rly
where in this address, rendered some mt assures
for their lief indispnsabIy necessary. IT the
legislature had not undertaken their cause, II
sppearrd 10 BIZ certain, as we have already sug-
ee sted, that The people would take it into their
own hands; and there was reason 10 fear that
thu proceedings in thai case might be less Or
d-rly and peaceful, and al the same time less
fficacious.
Thirdly. We have already stated the objects
which our state government had in view, in
nroposine The convention at Hartford, and the
movers couferr.d on their delegates. 1t, in
stead of these avowed objects, there had been
any secret plot for ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF the
Union, in wnich il had been desired 10 engage
the neighborlng States, the measures for that
purpose we may suppose would have been con-
lucled in ,he most private manner possible.
On the contrary, the resolution OF our legisia'
,ure for appointing their delegates, and pre-
scribing their powers and duties, was openly
discussed and passed in the usual manner; and
a COPY oft was imme dia'eIy sent, by the direc'
lion of the legislature, 10 the Governor OF eve
~ Stale in the Union.
Fourrhly. The only remaining question IS,
whether the delegates exceeded or abused their
powers As to This, we have only to refer TO
The repor, Of their proceedings, and to their
journal, which Is deposited in the archives of
this State.
That report, which was published immedl-
a,ely after the adjournment, OF the Convention,
aud was soon after accepted BY the Legislature,
holds forth the importance of the Union, as pa
ramount to ali other consider ions; enforces IT
by elaborate reasoning, and refers in express
,rrms,o flashing IONS arepel address, as its lrx'
book. If, the n, no power 10 do wrong Uas g'uen
by me legislature To the convention, and a no.
thing unconstitutional. disloyal, rr lending 10
disunion. was in TACT done, all whic" is mani
fest Of record, there rem,ins no pre'ext Tor
impe &C hing the measures Of the convention, by
impu'ing to them Covert and nrtar'ous designs,
exoepr the uncharitable one, ha' the charalcr.
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