Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-03-16

be, tn unite the people of all the States under
one General Government, for certain DEFINITE oo-
iects, and to the extent OF this unon To restrain
the separate authority Of the States. Congress
only can declare war-therefore, when one STATE
is at war with foreign nation. all must De az
war. The President and the Senate only can
make peace; when peace is made tor one State,
therefore, il must be made for all.
Can any thing be conceived more preposterous
than that any State should have power TO nul''fy
the proceedings of the General Government re.
snectins peace and war? When war Is declar-
ed BY law of Congress, can single State null
lily that law. and remain at peace! And vet
she NAV nullify that law as well as any other
RI the President and Senate make peace, may
one State, nevertheless, continue the war! And
yet, if she can nuIlify law, she may quite as
we'll nullIfy treaty.
The truth is. Mr.. President, and no ingenuity
Of argument, no subtety of distinction can evade
it. that, as to certain purposes, the people OF the
United States are one people. They are one in
making war, and one in making peace; they are
one in regulating commerce, and one in laying
duties of impost. The very end and purpose OF
the constitution was to make them one people in
these particulars; and 1t has effectual!y accom-
pshed its object. All this is apparent on the face
of the constitution itself. | have already said.
sir, that to obtain power of direct legislation
over the people, especially in regard to imposts.
was always prominent as a reason for getting rid
of the confederation, and forming new consu-
tuition. Among iDuumerable proofs OF this, be-
fore the assembling Of the convention. allow me
to refer only TO the report OF the Committee OF
the old Congress, July, 1885
But, sir, let Us go to the actual formation OF
the convention itself, and we shall see that the
very first resolution which the convention adopt.
ed, was, "THAr NATIONAL GOVERNMENT
OUGHT TO BE ESTABLISHED, CONSISTING OF A
SUPREME LEGISLATURE, JUDICIARY, AND EXEcU.
TIVE "
This itself completely negatives all idea Of
league, and compact. and confederation. Terms
could not be chosen. more fit to express an iAen
tlnr to establish National Government and to
Danish forever all nation Of compact between
sovereign States.
This resolution was adopted on the S0th of
May. Afterwards, the style was altered, and,
instead of being called a National Government,
It was called the Government Of the U. States:
but the substance of this resolution was retained,
and was at the head of that list OF resolutions
which was afterwards sent to the committee who
were to frame the instrument
1t Is true, there were gentlemen in the cOnyen-
ton, who were for retaining the confederation,
and amending its articles; but the majority was
against tins, and was for National Government.
Mr.. PattersOn's propositions, which were for con.
rnuing the articles os confederation with addi.
ti0nal powers. were submitted to the convention
on the 18th of June, and referred to the commit.
tee of the whole And the resolutions forming
the basis of National Government, which had
IN in tap nFt ha
whole. aud reported. we're re cnmmi,ed to the
same committee, on the same day. the con-
vention. then. in committee of the whole, on the
18Th of June. had both these plans before them;
that il to say, the plan of a confederacy. or COM
pact between States. and the plan of National
Government. Both these plan, were considered
and debated. and the committee repurted. "Ihat
they do not agree TO the prop osition offered by The
Honorable M. Patterson. bW that they again
submit the resolutions formerty-yeported " II,
sir, any historical fact in the world be plain and
it il that the convention deliberated
on the expedieucy Of continuing the confedera-
ton, with some amendments, and rejected that
scheme, and adopted the plan Of National Guv.
eminent. with legislature. al executive, and
judiciary of its own. They were asked to pre-
serve the league; they rejected the proposition.
They were asked to continue the existing COM
pact between States; they rejected it. They re.
jacted compact. league, and confederation; and
set themselves about framing the constitution of
a National Government, and they accomplished
what thew undertook,
Ifmen will open their eyes fairly to the lights
OF history, it is impossible to be deceived on this
point, The great object was TO supercede the
by regular government; because,
under the confederation. Congress had power
only to make acquisitions on States; and il States
declined compliance, as they did. there was no
remedy but war against such delinquent States.
1t would seem, from Mr.. Jrfferson's correspon- !
dence. in 1886. and 1887. that he Vas Of opinion
that even this remedy ought to be tried. "Thcre
will be no money in the treasury said he, ''till
the coniederacy shows its teeth;" and he sug-
pests that single frigate would soon levy, ON
the commerce. OF a delinquent State, the def
cheney al It's contribution. But this would be
war; and it was evident that a cOntederacv
cou ID not long hold together which should be At |
war With its members. The constitution was a.
1optrd to avoid this necessity. 1t was adopted,
hat nor IN ha a NH