Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-02-17

it and the powers given ior that purpose by the
state 10 the delegates and l.
Eourihly, the manner in which the delegates
exercised their power. Ii
"a 10 the first point. il will not be doubted that
tho people have right lin Nh orderly and peace.
able manner 20 assemble 10 consult upon the com
mon cool; and 10 request OF their rulers by the
way o; addresses, petitions, Of circumstances, re-
dress OF the wrongs done tacm, and Of the .
grievances they suffer This is enumerated in
the constitution OF Massachusetts, ainong our nat !,
urai essential, and unalicnsble rights; and il is
recognized in ;he constitution OF the United States;
and who then shall dare 70 set limits 10 its
else, prescribe TO us the manner 10 which IL
shall b. eAeret: We have already spoken OF the
STATE OF public aitnirs and the measures Of the gen
era government, in the year 1914, and OF the de-
gree oil excitement, amounting nearly 20 despera-
'ion to which! they he'd brought the minds OF the
people in this and tue adjoining States. Their
sriierings and apprehensi5ns could no longer be
silently endured, and numerous iseetngs OF the
citizens had been held on the occasion in various
parts OF the country. ltwas then thought that
the measures called for in such emergency,
would be more prudenty and safely matured and
promoted by the government OF the State than by
unorganixed bodies OF individuals, strI :,gy excl
ted by what they considered TO be the unjust aud
oppressive measures Of the general government,
II all the ctizens had the right Jointly and sever
aify, to consult for the common good and 20 seek
Tor redress OF their grievances, reason can be
| given why their legislative assembly, which rep
resens them all, may not exercise the same right
| IN their Dehalf. we no where md any CCnS,itu-
uonai prohibition or restraint Of the exercise of
THIS power D. the State and II not prohibited, il is
| reserved 10 the State. We maintain then that the
people had al unques,onab!e right in this as well
as In ether modes, TO express their opinions Of the
measures oil The general government, and 10 seek
by addresses, petitions, or remons:rances,' TO OBJ
tain redress OF their grievances and relief from
] their suteriugs.
| III there was no constitutional objection to this
\ mode oi-Proceeding, il will be readily admitted
that 1t was in all respects the most eligible. In
the state ofdistress and danger which then OPP
pressed all hearts, 1t was 10 be apprehented, as be-
fore suggested, that large and frequent assemblies
! OF the people might lead TO measures inconsistent
with the peace and order of the community. II
! an appeal was 10 be made 10 the government of
the United States, il was likely TO be more eec-
tual, II proceeding from the whole State coliec-
lively, than il from insulated assemblies OF cii-
3ens; and the application in that form would tend
also TO represS the public excitement, and prevent
amy sudden and unadvised proceedings OF the
people, by holding out to them the prospect Of re-
lief through the influence of their State Govern.
ment This latter consideration had great weigh,
with the legislatures and it is believed 10 have been
the only motive that could have induced some Of
the delegates 10 that convention 10 quit the seclu
sion TO which they had voluntarily retired 10 ex-
pose themselves anew TO all the fatigue and anxi-
ETY., the odium, the misrepresentation calumnias
and unjust reproaches, which frequently accom-
| pany and follow the best exertons Tor the public
good
If each ore of the States had the RICH, thus 10.
seek redress of grievances it is clear that two
or more States might consult together for the same
purpose; and the only mode in which they could
~ ,suit each other was by mutual appointment
OF delegates for that purpose
! But THIS Is not the only ground, nor is il the
strongest on which TO the justification OF the
proceedings IN question If the government Of
me United States in time Of such distress and
dangcT should be Unable, or should neglect 10 al
lord protection and relief 10 the people, the jegs-
!htus1 OF the State would not only have right
but Il would be their duty. to consult together,
and, practicable, 10 furnish these from their own
resources. This would be in aid Of the general
| government. How severely the people of Massa-
chusets experienced al that time the want of this
ability or disposition, in the General Government
we need Lot repeat If the legislature of single
state might, under such circumstances endeavour
10 provide Tor It's defence without infringing the
! national compact, no reason is perceived whv
they might not appoint committee or delegates
10 confer with delegates OF neighbouIine States
VINO were exposed to Ike dangers and sutTerings,
TO devise and suggest TO their respective IegisIa.
lures measures by which their own resources
might be employed in manner not repugnant TO
ihelr obligations IS members of the Union mart
o. ne" england had been invaded, and was then
heit ny the enemy, without an effort by the ZEN
era! government 20 regain il; and if another iurn
sion, which was then threatened and genera,lv
expected, had taken place, and ,lic New England
all'es AaG oFen still deserted by the government,
and lett 10 rely on theiroTn resources i, is ohvi
Gus that tle Dcs; mode CT providing for their com
! mon defence would have been by o simultaneous
aild combined operation OF all their forces The
states originally possessed this right and we hold
'int !! has never been surrendered nor taken ..oto
! ti!e,H by the people
The afguneni OH this point might lie easily ex
tehdedi but we may confidently RELY on the two
grounds above mentioned 10 wit, the right of the
people. through their state legislatures or o,bnr
wise, 10 petition and remonstate for redress If
their grievances; and the right Of the States in a
tinc OF war and Of theatened invasion 20 make tbe
necessary provisions for their o,yn defence To
| these objects was confined The whole autjori,v
conferred by orr legislature the delepates whon
they appointed They were direce TO meet & CON
Ter with other delegates, and to devise and suggest
measures OF relief for the adoption of the res5ec
1--WE states; but not 10 represent or act for their con-
Suuehts by agreeing TO- or adopting any such inca
sures themselves, or in behalf Of the states,
But whilst we strenuously maintain hi, r;ght
OF The people, 10 complain, and 10 re,nonstrate in
the strongest terms against measures which tbev
tn'nk 10 be Unconstitutional, unjust, or oppressive
ana 10 do THIS IN the manner which the shall doe M
most convenient or efectual, provided il he in
an orderly and peaceable manner we readily ad-
nit thai wise people would not hastily resort 10
1t, especially in this imposing FORM on every oc-
c"sion OF partial and Temporary discomfort or uf
!eFIng. We therefore proceed 10 consider,
Secondly, the proriiety and expedencv of a
dspiing that measure in the autumn Of 1911 On |
this point is enough 10 say, that the grievances
that were suffered and the dangers that yers an !
prehehded at that time, and the strong excitement,
which they produced among all the people which
is stated more particularly elsewhere in ,his ad
dress rendered some measures for their rpliefin.
di'pensably necessary. II the legislature had moi
undertaken their cause, ii cared TO be certain
az we nave already suggested, that the neo,ie /