Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-01-06
RICHMOND, JAM. s.
.N:dTION.AL COyWVENrTJOM


.NdTIO.V.dL CONTENTION.
We are pleased to see the proposition for Ma
nonai Convention noticed in some of the Northern
Papers-it is approved in different degrees by TIN,
Opposition Prints Gas they have been recently call.
ed,) and opposed by such Administration Prints an
have taken any notice of the Proposition
We have frankly stated our own views of the
Inatter-Crude as our ideas may be; exceptions
BILE as they may seem to be; we frankly confess,
that they not recently nor hastily taken u bv
us. We have long been anxious TO settle the de-
bateabie questions which have arisen under the
Constitutions; 10 give with the consent of the States
such powers, as have been assumed by the Genes
raj Government, and which the States NAV deem
necessary to concede; to withhold SUCH az tho as
sumed, the States may not f. to give; and 10
set up new barriers against its future encroach-
ments.
we have seen certain powers assumed under the
cloak OF certain general phrases or clauses; and
what will be the consequences. If these phrases
and clauses can be misconsirued in one sense thew
may be in another-if they can be SO interpreted
as to justify the exercise Of power, they NAV
be equally extended to the assumption Of other
powers. These cases
-WW BE- recorded for precedent
Msx many an t ,I s By .Ae ;s'ss Example
1t ought not to be; and no precaution ought To ia
omitted, which may be calculated to avert such a
tendency TO consolidation. To saw then IN ,hs,
General Government, THUS far shaft thou po.
and no farther: here shall thy proud waves be
s'o1So Is Ohc VI great OUlectS, which tho
friends OF the Union ought TO have in view
In the I'd place, it is very desirable to restor,
harmony to our public Councils; to prevent those
Troublesome and agitating discussions which take
place IN Congress, and in the State Legislatures;
and to smooth away, if possible, those angry con.
tentions which SO frequently spring UP among the
citizens OF the different States. If we could oniv
save the time which is annually lost in Congress 10
debates upon the cohstituonality of measures il
would be an economy " devoutly to be wished
for"
And in the Sd place, adjustment of those
questions is calculated to give each state its fair
proportion OF the benefits and burthens of the u
Mon. The partnership is at present an uneoual
one One par tner is willing to take of the common
funds, another is not. One State thinks that Con.
gross has no right 10 appropriate money or laudsto
roads and Canals; and upon conscientious scruples
refuses to ask TO take its share of the apnronria
uon. Another state eagerly presses for such AN ad
vantage and without any scruple, participates a
the plumber. AS soon, however, as the nuest;on
was fairly and conclusvely settled, there would
DC perfect equality and justice among the several
partners. Either no one could take at all, or they
would all share in common, according TO a fair ana
certain propOrtiou.-And this advantage would al
so be obtained; that the time which is now lost ,Ipon
abstract questions OF constitutionality, would
Measures would be better discussed as TO their nc.
tual benefits; and the laws would be better ADAPTED
TO the solid interests of the nation.
From these, and other considerations, therefore.
We nave ieit some little anxiety TO do away these
debateable questions; and TO introduce some mi
form rule OF action, which may work smoothly.
and Tor the good OF the WhoIe.-We really think
there Is no doubt about the cvi and that the on,v
question is as TO the best remedy Shall it be adm.
,hstereu through the ordinary way of amendments
by the Slate Legislatures; or by the cali of a Ma
uonal Convention! II seems to us high time that
the States, the parties to the Compact should
say what they meant by their own instrument.
ana the only Question is. by what process they
a q md and and ;t
\ ational Convention; and for this reason GER
tam number OF designated propositions is TO be
submitted. Make them as few as YOU please. sill
they will involve certain series of amendments
mere Is the bank question-,hat Of roads and ca.
ofan University, If you please-the Ia.
riff questionthe possibility Of constituting some
common tribunal to adjust the controversies on con-
stltutional questions, between the States and the
y. otates-and OF so expounding certain general
phrases and clauses in the Constitution. as mac
lessen the range Of future encroachment.-A sin.
Sie amendment might be referred TO the state lie.
gisiatures for adjudication; because il is probabIs
That 1t might be so made and eoucbed in such
phfaseology, as that three-fourths of the several
states might be able to pass upon IT,. But a series
OF amendments seems 10 require all tbe sta,es y,
ne brought as II were, face TO face: to comnare
their ideas together; to give and take, upon some
general, lair system Of Cancellation and comma
ana 10 exercise that same ''spirit of amity,
and that mutual concession which the pecy
Marty OF our political situation rendered indispen
sable" and which presided over the deIibera.
tons ri the first General Convention ef re Coo
indeed, how the two modes OF amendments m,v ta
expected to work-that is, the States acting SEM.
rotefy and acting tOgeLher. Virginia PROMISES .
series oil amendments to Northumberland
says' II VIII concur with you, provided VOL, will
agree to strike out a certain clause" II comes
1 S, TO Virginia, and she strikes out the clause,
when they go to South Carolina, she wishes 10
aud a cIause-and thus, the amendments arc
Dandied abou, from State 10 another until tbe
patience OF all Is exhausted, and the whole svs-
em rails TO the ground. Let the sams series.
however, be proposed 10 Convention of the
states, discussed, modified, aud accommodated
more or less, TO the tastes Of all and there is some
.hance that they may be found acce ptabIe to three
ourihs Of the States
IL VIII, OF course, he perfectly understood-Ist.
nat the whole Constitution is not TO be put at sea
'ut only certain propositions 10 be submitted
o the convention; and IDLY. that IL no amend
nenis are hnaly agreed on, we shall remain a..
'ofu quo; and the Constitution, as il is re,n,,n.
II fail orcc and virtue.--We shall tnost ,,oh.,i.,
ose nothing by the attempt; whereas, ,ye 49,,
gsn the most solid benefits We shall he sb,s
o avail ourselves Of all the lights Of forty YEAR
o heal the defects Of the Consti,ation. and a.
aise up new guarantees for the Iuion and hsrroo-
~ Of the States. ""' "'''''
Rhode Island Editor tefsus, that /, is nothing
'u' ne" edition OF The Hartford Convention, and