The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-04-10

men1 Rnt even these are not idle consumers; they
are agents Of the Government and OF the people
Pensioners may be considered as persons who enjoy
benefit from the public taxes of the country Without
rendering present service in returni bul 'he leSal
provision for them stands on the ground OF Preyou,
merits, which none deny. IL we had vast nauonai
debt, the annual interest Of which was cndise u'
on the country the holders Of this debt might be con-
sidered as tax-consumers. But we have no such
debt. IL the distinction, therefore, whlch the Sen-
tleman states exists anywhere, most cefiahy w.
not exist here. And cannot bul exceedingly feere,
that sentiments and opinions should be expressed
here having so little foundation, and yet so Well
calculated 10 spread prejudice and dislike, lar ana
wide against the Government and institutions OF the
country.
Bul sir I have extended these remarks already
10 a length for which find no justification but in
nv profound conviction of the importance OF this cr-
sis in our national affairs We are as II seemst TO me,
about TO rush madly from our proper spheres We
are TO relinquish the performance OF our own In.
cumben duties to abandon the exercise of essential
powers, confded by the constitution TO our hands,
for the good of the country. This was my opinion
in S.ptember--t is my opinion now. What we
propose to do, and what we omit to do are, In my
judgment, likely TO make a fearful, perhaps fatal
inroad upon the unity Of commerce between these
States, well as TO embarrass and harass the en-
ploymeRls of the people, and to prolong existing
evils.
Sir whatever we may think of il now, the const-
tuition had its immediate origin in the conviction Of
the necessity for this uniformity, or identify IN com
Inercial regulations.
The whole history Of the country, OF every year
and every month from the close OF the war OF The
Revolution to 1859, proves this. Over whatever IN
terests it was made 10 extend, and whatever other
blessings il now does, or hereafter may, confer ON
the millions of free citizens who do or shall live I'M
der its protection; even though in time to come, II
should raise pyramid of power and grandeur,
whose apex should look down. on the ioiliest poili-
cal structures of other nations and other ages, IL
will yet be true that il was itself the child OF press
ing commercial necessity. Unity and identity 0,
commerce among all The States was It's seminal
principle. II had been found absolutely Impossible
to excite foster enterprise in trade, under me IN
fuence Of discordant and arripg State regulations.
The country losing all the advantages OF us Po
siton. The Revolution itself was eg'hhing " ps
regarded as doubtful blessing. The ocean oeloie
us was a barren waste. No American canvass
whitened its bosom--no keeis OF ours piougnea its
waters The journals Of The Congress OF me Con
federation show the most constant, unceasins, I'M
vearied hut always unsuccessful appeals 10 the
States and the people rsnovae the system TO IN
fuse into that Confederation at once spirit OF union
and spirit Of activity, by comforting on Congress
the power over trade. BY nothing but the percep-
tion of its indispensable necessity-by nothing out
their consciousness of suffering from its want, were
the States and the people brought, and brought by
slow degrees, 10 invest this power IN permanent
and competent Government
Sir harken to the fervent language OF the old Con-
rress in JULY 1855, letter addressed tohe States,
prepared by Mr. Monroe, Mr., King, and other great
Names now transferred from the lists OF living men, to
gushed dead The proposition before them, the great
objects which they solcltousy endeaSored to draw
the attention Of the States, was this viz: that " the
United States, Congress assembled, should have the
sole and exclusive right Of regulating the trade OF the
States, well with foreign nations as with each other
This they saw urged upon the States by every con-
sderaon Of local as well as Of federal policy aud they
beseech them to agree to it, If they wish to promote the
strength Of the Unlon and to connect by the strongest
ties Of interest and affection. This in July, 1888
T., tha aniriIa nd for he but.
most important resolution which adopted in the
House Of Delegates of Virginia the 2lst day OF the
following January. Sir, read the resolution entire.
aResoiped That Edmond Randolph, and others, be
appointed commissioners, who, or any hive OF whom
shall meet such commissioners as may be appointed by
the other States OF the Uuon at time and place to be
agreed on to take into consideration the trade OF the
United States to examine the relative situations and
trade of the said States to consider no" tar uniform
system their commercial relations may be necessary
to their common interest and their permanent harmony,
and to report to the several States such act relative to
this great object when unanimously ratified by them
will enable the United States, IN Congress assembled,
enecuay provide for the same that the said com
mssioneIs shall Immediately transmit to the several
States copies of the preceding resolution, with ccu-
lar letter requesting their therein and pro-
posing time aid place for the meeting aforesaid"
Here sir, let us pause. Let us lnger at the waters
of this original fountain. Let contemplate this,
the first STEP in that series Of proceedings SO full
OF greateventS to and 10 the world. Notwith-
standing the embarrassment and distress of the
country, the recommendation OF the old Congress
had not been complied with. Every attempt 10 bring
the State Legislatures into any harmony of action,
or any pursuit of common object, had signally and
dsastrously failed The exigency of the case call
ed for a new movement; for more direct and pow
erfu attempt TO bring the good sense and PATRIOTISM
of the country into action upon the crisis. solemn
assembly was therefore proposed-a general con-
venton of delegates from all the States ana now,
sir, what the exigencyl What was inns Crisis
II ~ ttcalT fhnrp
il but trade Commerce commerce! Is the DeSln-
ming and end of it, The subject to be considered and
examined was "the relative situation OF the trade
Of the States" and the object to be obtained was
the establishment OF uniform system in their COM
mercial regulations, GAS necessary 10 me common
interest and their permanent harmony" ms Is
all. And, sir, BY the adoption OF Tins ever-mem-
orable resolution, the House of Delegates of Vir.
gnia, on the 2lst day of January, 1856, performed
the first act in the tram of measures which resulted
in that constitution, under the authority OF which
you now sit in that chair, and have w The honor
of addressing the members of this body
Mr. President | am Northern man. am at.
ached to one of the States of the North BY the ties
of birth and parentage education, and the assocla-
tons Of early life; and by sincere gratitude for
proofs of public confidence early bestowed. | am
bound to another Northern State by adoption, by
long residence, by all the cords of social and do
meStic life and by attachment and regard spring
ing from her manifestation of appreciation and favor,
which grapple me to her with hooks OF steel. And
yet sir with the sincerity OF respect, the same
deep gratitude the same reverence and hearty good
will, with which | would pay similar tribute to
either Of these States, do l here acknowledge the
Commonwealth of Virginia TO be entitled 10 The
honor of commencing the work OF establishing this
constitution. The honor is hers let her enjoy it;
let her forever it proudly; there isno bright
err jewel in the tiara that adorns her brow Let this
resolution stand illustrating her records and bazon
ing her name through all time!
The meeting, sir, proposed by the resolution was
holden. took place, as all know, in Annapolis in
May Of the same year; but it twas thinly attended,
It's members very wisely, adopted measures to bring