Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-10-24
From the National Gazette of Oct. 49,

The Washington Telegraph makes the following
assertions with regard TO the Address of the Free
Trade Convention.
THE address vas adopted under full unde-stsp-
ding, that, much of it relates to the constit,
tionalty of the Tariff, was intended merely as a
statement OF the opinions entertained, this point
by portion of the people of the Union, too con-
siderable to be treated with contemptuous silence
and was not designed TO express the sense of the
Convention. Mr.. Bcrricn himself took especial
to let this be clearly understood in his replies
TO Mr. Gaatin; and Mr. Carpenter, the delegate
from Manc argued and voted for retaining all the
clauses objected 10 by the minority, and for adop-
ting the report in its present shape, after having
explicitly declared that he did not, and could lot
believe the Tariff TO be unconstitutional. There is
nothing, therefore, in the report itself to commit
Mr. BcrrIcn, or any other member of the Coyen-
ton, on the question of the constitutional valid
ty of the Tariff"
Nevertheless, out OF doors, the general apprehcn
sion is that it int, hded to assert the .!uncon
stitutionality" of the Tariff. This is the received
import OF tic address, and the supposed reason why
MIR. Gallitih and tho other gentlemen of the mi
nority voted against it finally. We have copied in
TO our last page, from the Norfolk Herald, an ar
ticie which we may ascribe to some member of the
Convention. Every thing that can be said in its
behalf we would cheerfuAy circulate. The indi-
vIduas who composed it higkly respectable
Those with whom enjoy the advantage of be-
ing personally acquainted, have every reason
TO esteem. Moreover, we anticipate public benefit
from the labors of the tesamentary or residuary
committee. But all this is distinct from the cues.
tion how Tar pubtiC expectation gratfed or dis
appointed III It's composition and proceedings By
composition, we refer to the extent of country and
number OF constituents represented. In this res
Pect, pTbhc expectation was disappointed. 1t was
80, besides, touching the nature and uuantum of
that information about the operation of the Tariff,
the special views and grcfs of the several districts
or SSaes of the members, and so forth, which was
reasonably desired and anticipated From so many
sources OF light, az dmmcdiate and strong irrada-
lion might bave been cast The approvers of the
Address give it virtually, themselves the charac
ter ot compromising, balanced, equivocal abstract
report Triie generatics obtain no effectu al heed
now days. There are concessions in IT which
seem to neutralZe the implied denunciation Of the
Tariff as unconstitutional; but We ard many others
interpret IL MS favorable the whole to the South
carolina extreme heresy, and Whatever relish VIC
may have for the doctrine of Free Trade we can.
not stomach 1T when mixed up, or brewed, i'm what
ever way, with notification. Our impression is
that the great majority of the members were disaD
pointed us well as the public. Many of them had
coine great way, provided doubt, with impor-
taEt details and reflections, such as belon ped 10
iheIr mission. The Richmond Enquirer observes
that They were anxious to return hGDe, and Of
course impatient Of discussion" This construction
they viii not likc,-it assimilatcs them to rLitin
VINO have too often marched to encounter public
enemy, and then suddenly retreated and dispersed
from home sickness To huddIe up the affair did
- ''iS 'Ni ut'i'Jf 'lilCE consequence
and various distance Of the expedition to Phadcl-
Piuo, as a central thesre Of real and decisive ac-
ton.
The conespon 'cut Of the Norfolk Herald ;ms- no,
nat We nave meant complain Of the want Of Iouo
'rNa'es, and "e!o4ueut eEplo' ions Of feeling We
nave so frequently anunadvcrted upon the mere noisy
'Tbe % 0ngues-thc war ri worhsin legislatures
NAT wecOud hardly regret The Con IGNITION DID not Dor
ow Saraeantua's month. There is medium how
,ver Jusse nJeU. IN most matters aoh emergencies
ample discussion may be due 20 certain subjects and
nuda I.t..f II
nxnu'y deprecated intercepted, suppressed, Than on
ms occasion. u was phenomennu prodigy, that |
many eloquent and professional Of them
u" avs alert, interchangeable. nexhaustible ndoni,able
isewhere, should have been whipped in aud kept |
nder Never did maav able, wise, and veteran !
0un'eors seem much AFRAID If each Others senii
1enis, temper and discretion. The Free Trade Con !
enon was opposed IN all freedom Of spseeh-the re-
", ',e shs4n o. The pehihiory policy prevailed