Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1833-02-21

and an reply to a speech of Nh Adams of 1fassacht
sets. Delivered in the House of REPRESENTATIVE
4 February and Z, 1888.
Mr. Patton said, that he had not Intended, until the
evening before, to ask the attention of the committee
observ of his upon the nov
under discussion.
He did not propose enter upon any examlna ton
oil the general principles OF the American System. He
concurred in the sentiment which had been EXPRESSED
and he believed universally in the House
that no argument, either side, likely to produce
change oil opinion either the consutionaty or un-
consituuonality-he expedency inexpediency, as
measure OF national policy and Justice, OF that system. For
Ten or twelve years these questions in all their aspects
had engaged the deliberations only OF Congress but
the people Of the United States and with continually in
creang anxiety and soemnity. Those who were not by
inns tune satisfied upon these questions be either
above, or below, or beyond the reach of argument
In the progress OF the discussion only hostility ofin-
erest, and consequent collision of opinion between de-
rent class Of men, developed themselves; but they
have unfortunately assumed sectional location out
which have arisen geographical parties who pushing
their opinions to extremes, have brought about Of
Things which, in the opiuon Of COOL rejecting men, more
nenacng TO the peaceful continuance Of the Union, than
any which has existed since the establishment of in
dependence.
So long. said Mr. P as tho discussion pursued the or
binary path |, in with most OF those with whom
act on this subject abstaned and intended to refrain
from contributing TO debate which, confined almost
clusveiy TO the opponents OF the BILL they disposed
Tor reasons best known to themselves proract an
most ntermnable length. Our course was IN wait ma,
ently until this tide Of discussion should have an ebb
and avoid saying any thing that, by possibility, nigh
10 increase that excitement OF feeling uniendly
contest, until some decisive indication given by this
BODY as 10 It's intention TO do thing calculated
orate the grievances OF which the South complained
\ Inc debate, however, has suddenly taken a and
unexpected turn the motion of the gentleman from
Massachusetts, Mr. Adams to strike the enacting
clause OF the BILL motion which, if successful cvelled
fatal blow at all prospect of Cancellation and peace and
which he has thought proper accompany with remarks
OF character uttered in temper, and indicating a shirt
IN my judgments extremely unsuited the occasion the
crisis in the affairs OF the country and the source from
which they proceeded remarks, which concur with the
Il,
in considering well calculated, any mat could have
been uttered to throw irebrand our counsels to add
fuel TO flame already burning ercely and TO arouse
passions and exasperae Prejudices, which ought be
the business OF every patriot do all his power to
hngush to allay, and subdue Standing here the Re-
preventative 10 part OF State which, by her Legislature
has so recently manifested with almost unani-
NIFTY her desire TO preserve peace, by both par.
ties the impending conflict TO orbear from 9roceeding
10 exWemlues; which has expended much blood aud
treasure in defending and maintaining the liberties OF
these States; and contributed largely, both in council
ana In action, towards creating and preserving aud has
deep Stake in the continuance OF this Union was
sRa @afif, H"ne HihT dHprayeG Unexpectedly by tue
gentleman from Massachusetts.
For what purpose know IL has seemed eood TO him
TO drag into this discussion topics which have nothing
with the bill before this committee, and invite u.s. by
the of his remarks TO enter upon that wide field
of political metaphysics which, from another source had
been unfortunately spread out upon the political
Premauely, unnecessarily and in my Judgment unwise
| ly; allude To the Presidents Proclamation.
The gentleman has avowcd opinions in relation TO one
of those questions which have thus been presented to the
American public involving principles in relation
the origin aud character OF this Government which the
State of Virginia has uniformly and senuousy denied
be true; aud which feel II be my duty, concurng
do, in this opinion, aud since other OF her delegation
have chosen to do not to permit pass without entering
my protest against, and making humble effort
them. | shall conme myself TO those topics which the
gentleman has drawn into discussion and will enter
upon any Of the others connected with them
men TO which have already REFEREED and for the full
discussion OF all the theories contained in which,
suitable occasion will be afforded, in all probability du-
| ring the session.
The proposition which he asserts substance s that
this Government is completely sovereign Government
created by the people of the United States people
and exercising its powers by the authority the people
as one political community. And by what argument does
lac sustain this propositions 1t is founded exclusively up
on part OF the preamble of the Constitution awe, tie
people of the United States" And he says that mot n
admit the truth OF his proposition, is give the e
the express declaration of the constitution itself Sir it
seems to that candid examination d this part the
preamble, well every other part of it, leads an OPP
posite conclusion; and that, TO admit the Interpretation
conended for by him. is only TO pervert the obvious
sense OF the passage he relies on, but o give the le'
90 borrow the genemans anguage) to the whole pream-
beto the article Of ratification, and to the notorious
historical facts This expression of eve the people oil
the United States" objected to by Patrick Henry
III the Virginia Convention called consider of the rai.
cation Of this constitution usying the inference that
a consolidated Government was intended to be created
And he asked by what authority the Convention had used
the expression eve, the people,, instead Of tive the
States" He answered by MIR. Madison, also mem
Der OF that Convention, who had then recently been
member OF the Convention which framed the constitution
who had taken prominent part in forming and has since
done TO from the perversions and msc0n-
strucons whcht has different times been exposed
any living dead This his language W the
parties to IL (he constituton?) The peOpebut the
people composing great body, but the people AS
" composing thirteen sOUeregnes. Were it, the gen.
uemsn ASSERTS consolidated Government, the assent of
{" majority OF the people would be sufficient Tor its
tablishmen and majority have adopted il tlready
" the remaining States would be bound by the maio.
rty, even they unanimously reprobaed IT, Were il
" such Government az ia suggested, II would be
" binding the people of this State, without having
" had The privilege OF celebrating upon ". Should ali
" the States adopt it, It will then be Government estab-
"l ishsd by the thirteen States OF America, not through
the Intervention OF the Legislatures, but by the people
" at large"
| should be glad to know what is the difference be-
tween these two expressions, "we, the people Of the
| United States" and 1--WE, the people Of the States
united Do they not express precisely the dea2
DO they not both assert precisely the historical fact
viz that the union OF States asscnod by the people
of THE STATS such
n Let us look little further into this preamble what
did "the people OF the United States propose do' WHY
10 form perfect linton" sc Now, who ever
heard Of union OF people in political association The
term union, applied to States Is ineligible and approp
ate II then, the people of the States who agreed
the union Of the States The whole Of 1t was.
that they resolved continue the pioH which existed
before under the articles OF confederation and make
that union perfect This unisn, IL IS admitted by
the gentleman constituted conlederacy bat The
origin Of both Is the ssmecrcaed alike by The authority
the State Governments the other by the people Of each
State. And what that In this last case,
ted? constitution for the people OF America cOnstifu-
ton for "he people Of the United Stes NO neither.
but the preamble itself declares ga constitution for the
, United States" This was not even for the