Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-02-02

| pear in the lst volume of the laws, that so tar
from these articles of confederation being in ex-
istence at the time when the Declaration OF In
dependence was framed, they had not even been
reported They were reported subsequently,.
| were agreed on by the Congress, and sent Z" all
the States for their concurrence. The raihca-
tions Of the States made at different perl
DDS. The State of New Hampshire ratified them
on the 9Th Of August, 1873. the States OF Massa-
chusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut. New York,
and New JERSEY, ratified them, in November,
1878; Pennsylvania ratified them 92d July I7.S;
! Delaware, bv one Of her Delegates. ratified them
on the Sth February. 1879. and on the 5th May
BY the other; MARYLAND ratified them on the LIST
of March, 1881; North Carolina, on the LIST OF
July, 1878; and Georgia, and South Carolina on
the 18th July, 177S.
This shows conclusively, that instead OF being
a single. consolidated nation, the States never
came into the Confederation until after the last
State had adopted them in 1871 The very pre-
amble of the articles was itself a refutatIoa OF
the idea that this is single nation. lie read the
preamble; and then referred to the first article,
which declares that each State retains its sovtr-
eighty, freedom. and independence, and every
right and power which vas not expressly delesa.
ted. So far, therefore, from being one nation.
deriving its character OF nationality from the
Declaration Of Independence, it appeared that the
Declaration preceded even the Confederation OF
the States. He then adverted to the language "f
the second article, by which the States pledged
themselves TO defend themselves against any at
tacks that might be made on them, or on either OF
them: and further, to the terms of the 3th ar,i
Gle, in which il Is declared that alteration shall
be made in these articles, unless by the authority
of C. onrress, afterwards confirmed by the sane
ton of every State. He had thus stated the
language of the Articles of Confederation to this
point.
|. la February, 1877, Congress. in pursuance o.
the power which was contained in the Articles OF
Con federation, pointing out the mode BY which
they might b. amended. passed resolutions. which
might BE- found IN the Laws, vol. l. p. 81, the
preamble and the terms of the resolutions them
selves, bearing out the views which he had airea.
DIV gwen Of this subject. These resolutions were
reported, submitted to the different Legislatures,
and BY them acted on. Accordin. TO the express
language of the Articles of Confederation. the
amend men,s were first reported to Congress,
and were then sent by their resolve to the LIE.
gslatures of the different States, to be acted on
by them, with recommendation that they be
submitted to a Convention of the States.
Ii would he observed at once that it any State
had offered an objection, as every one had the
power, b, its own act, to object, the objection
would have been sufficient To prevent the iorma
tiou of the constitution which was afterwards
framed. But such was not the case. the whole
Of the States gave their assent, ami all was done.
The legislatures OF the different States did re-
ceive the propositions of Congress, and did call
the convention, although OF their own will, they
might lave rejected the proposition. lie would
! not detaln the SENATE TO g We the precise order
IN which the different legislatures ratified the
Constitution. 1t was a historical fact that this
| action touk place at different periods. Two Of
the States did not raufy the constitution until
snme time after the other ten States had done SD
North Carolina vas one Of these States. and
| Massac husetts the other. Here, then, it seems
that the Northern State ahch was the first col
ony to rise in arms against British sway, and 70
| throw off all allegiance. and to take on herself
the o,lium and consequences Of that awful word
| rebellion, vas the last to come into the Union
She was the first in war, but the last in peace
Size vas willing TO hunt the game OF liberty, but
she wa, slow to come into the compact unit she
was satisfied that the principles OF liberty were
| su fl, iently guarded and secured. and 30 con-
| stan,lv guaranteed that there was no probability
that they would hereafter be made the subj. at
conflict and controversy at home.
North Carolina came into the Union in SO,
and Rhode Island IN 1870 Thus the Conslitu.
non was made bv the States. and until II vas
ratified by the whole Of them. II was not binding
on the whole, for even the ratlita i'm often at S
dud not impose on North Car"lIn aud Rhode
Island ar.v mitigation uulii they also had assent
ed The Constitution, therefore was not crea-
| ted b. the mass of thu people OF the Union. but
bv the States. each STATE being 'und b, is own
Legislative act, act,og the ,ubec, 10 lis
eign capacity as an independent State.
| He now came to another point. The tone If
the Proclamation and Message gave To this
Cunfederacy as a single Nation power. aud a;tr-
butes which we're never intended bv the compact
or bv the States who ratified It. There were no
such powers given by the Sta'es TO the United
States. THIS was no mis- axe. The force OF
words could not put down the omnipoence Of
truth: the breath OF man could not OblIterate the
record of the past from our public archives
| 1t was provided by onr Of the articles. that
the ratification of nine States should be sufficient
for the establishment Of the Constitution betw cen
the States so rattying. Ii vas not between the