The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-08-23

of,he press 90 the ngals Of conscsnce de- could not
have been disproved.
The explanations in the State conventions all turned
on the same fundamental principle, and the principle,
that the terms necessary and proper gave additional
powers 70 those enumerated. (Hefe he read sundy
passages, from the debates Of the Pennsylvania yug
MIA. and North Carolina conventions, showing the
ground on which the constitution had been indicated
by No principal advocates against dangerous latitude
Of It's powers, charged on il by It's opponents He did
not undertake to vouch for the accuracy authenticity
OF the publications which he quoted. He thought Il
probable that the sentiments delivered might IN many
instances, have been mistaken, or imperectly noted
but the complexion OF the WHOLE with what he himself
and many others mus. recoec fully justified the use he
had made Of them.
The explanatory declarations and amendments sc-
companyng the notifications Of the several states, formed
= striking evidence, wearing the complexion. lie
referred those who might Doubt TO the several acts Of
ratification.
The explanatory amendments, proposed BY Congress
themselves, At least, would be good authority with them;
all these annuncialions Of power proceeded on rule
Of construction excluding the latitude now commended
for These explanations the more TO be respect
ed as they had not only been proposed by Congress-
but ratified by nearly threefourhs Of the States he
read several OF the articles proposed remarking pacu-
larry the llth and 18th; tho former, as guarding
against latitude of interpretationthe latter a. ex-
GLIDING every Of power not within the consti,u-
ton itself
With all this evidence OF the sense IN which the con-
sttution understood and adopted will il not be said,
if the bill should pass that its adoption was brought
about by set Of arguments and that il is now admin
isiered under the influence Of another set And this
reproach will have the keener sting because It is appl-
cable TO so many individuals concerned in both the
adoption and administration.
In fine, if the power in the constitution, the i'm
mediate exercise OF cannot be essential if not there,
the exercise Of it involves the guilt Of usurpaton, and
establishes precedent Of Interpretation, leyelng all the
barriers which limit the powers Of the General Govern
ment and protect those Of the Stale governments. II
the point be doubtful only respect for ourselves, who
ought to shun the appearance OF precPianey and abi
ton respect for successors, who ought not lightly
to be deprived OF the opportunity Of exercising the rights
Of legislation respect for our constituents who have
had no opportunity Of making known their sentiments,
and who are themselves to be bound down to the
measure for SO long period; all these considerations
require that the rrevocabe decision should at least be
suspended until another session.
II appeared the whole, he concluded that the pow
exercised by the bill was condemned by the silence
Of the constitution condemned by the rule OF IN
terpretaton, arising out Of the constitution con-
demned by its tendency to destroy the main character
istic Of the constitution; condemned by the EXPOSE
tons OF the friends Of the constitution whilst depending
before the public condemned by the apparent in
tentions OF the parties, which ratified the constitution
condemned by the explanatory amendments pro-
posed by Congress themselves to the constitution and
he hoped would receive its final condemnation by the
vote Of this House.