Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1840-05-05
POLITICAL.

POLITICAL.
1Firom the Cinenaa,i advertiser, .3pra y
GEN HARRISON.-THE CONSTITUTION OF the =: :.
The following letter, bearing the signature OF Gen
Harrison has been taken from the True American oil
New Orleans and will show to the reader, that the
Constitution of the IT, S. would be no restraint upon
him in carrying out measures which ne wouia cohs.,
der eypedient He has, upon other occasions SHOWN
that he has but little thoughts of consulting the con
stitutionalty of such would appear 10 nun
necessary or proper and il plain that he conceVes
that the Congress can, if not abolish slavery or h'eF
Fere with the property OF the citizens IN theif s'eS'
ret il can ssupon application by the States, appro
pirate money to aid the States to get rId OF 'he'f
5laves."
Now in what article or section Of the Constitution the
tower TO make such appropriation to be found, we
IRE at loss TO know-and if his hands were not tIed
op and his mouth closed by his guardians, we wouu
make the INQUIRY of him. but under present cIrcumsan-
ces it would be useless to ask him. But we take the
liberty Of proposing the question to the TWO lawyers,
who are members of the board OF guardians, IN what
article or section Of the Constitution the authority is
Granted 10 appropriate money for that purpose upon
tie mere application of the States much less the States
applying
ale money for the purchase OF slaves for the purpose
81 aiding the States 20 applying, to rid them OF ther
slaves then there is restraint upon Congress appro.
piiatng money for any other purpose whatever we
know that power is granted "o lay and collect t'Xe
10 pay the debts and provide or the common defence
and welfare of the United States but we can find no
authority for making appropriations for the purchase or
the transportation coonizng of slaves, or for aiding
any Of the slave States get rid of their slaves aud
VIC would respectfully suggest that such appropriation
would be fragrant violation of the Constitution
The General saws that he has always held this OPT
non and that it has been held by Mr. Jefferson and by
Mr. Madison. Here again are at fault Tor we know
oil no sentiment or opinion Of this kind held BY either
OF those worthy personages. That Mr. John Adams
ght hold such opinion, doubt not as it is one
of those opinions held bv Federaliss ike Mr. Adams
that the Congress of the u States like the British Par
lament "omnipoent;" and perhaps, as Gen. HARRISON
when bat young politician, great favorlte with
and adnirer of AIR Adams, he may have niblbed from
him this truly Federal principle and has mstakngly At
trbutcd it TO his successors Jefferson and Aladson-
Both these gentlemen were strict constructlonlss OF
the Constitution; and except in the of Mr.. Mad-
son. having signed the bill charterlng the United
States Bank, never deviaed from the principle. We
have therefore got TO learn that either Mr. Jefferson or
Mr. Madison held any such opinion has been attrl-
buted to them by General Harrison All that we have
heard read Of those patriots has been directly the
contrary; and If it BE- upon this doctrine being held by
Mr. Jefferson, that General iiarrson has assumed the
character OF Jetiersonan Democrat, feel confident
that he has mistaken his and taken MIR Jefferson
for his opponent, Mr. Adams the elder,
The Constitution itself points out the mode and man
ner in which it shall be amended when found neccssa
~ by the people; but the General has, in this letter,
projected another of etfecting TINT purpose.
We presume that he means that the Constitution pre-
vents the Congress exercising the power of aboshng
slavery If So how does he ind that the Chngrcs. may
assume the power the application of the States
The Constitution provides for no such assumption nt
power, no such mode Of amending it. The 9Th ar'i
Gle says:
"Thc Congress, whenever twO-thirds of both houses
shall deem il necessary, shall propose amendments Ia
this Constitutions on the application of wo-thrds Of
the several States shall call convention for proposing
amendments, which in either shall be valid Ia all
intents and purposes, part OF this Constitution; when
ratified BY thrceo of the Legislatures Of the seve
rai States, by the Conventions in three onrths there
81, the the other mode Of raitatip may be
proposed BY the Congress
Here the three -fourths Of all the States must agrc
upon and ratify amendments but General Harrison ;
plan is, that the amendment may be made by simple
majority OF both Houses and the signature of the Pre-
sdcnt. We are not sure hut this nut.gocs any of the
most ultra principles held h. Ill" Fcderalists An ap-
plication oftwo Of the save States demanding
If Congress act Of appropriation Tor money TO aid
them in getting rid of their slaves, amends the Con-
8 tuition By a compliance Witlr III. demand, without
thc trouble of the other States the Union either pro-
posing ratiit ing amendments. This is certainly a
scheme for making amendments; but APP
pr-hensv" that application OF the scheme would be
like Doctor curing his patient BY giving him dose OF
poison. and sending him TO his grave. 1.-The amend
mrnt would leave no Constitution hereafter TO
amend
On this view Of the subject well may that ultra Fe-
derast, Daniel Webster, recommend the General as
candidate for the Presidency and John c. Wright be-
come one Of his guardians to prevent linn making IN
convenient disclosures Of his political sentiments.
Let the Federaliss of the Union have General fiar-
rson in their hands for four short years and they would
have contamination of all their wishes; far the
Influence of the President would 90. They would
have National Bank-a grand Funding system-a
Standing Army-a national blessing that is national
Grh'--a stupendous system Of national naprove nents
:, he General Government independent Of the States;
distribution of the public lands rag-mill system OF
currcncy-and entire punishment of that filthy dross
gold and silver money, and ony used for the dccora-
ton of their houses and their pcrsonsand finally
ragged dependent and miserable population that would
not dare to have the arrogance 10 interfere in their
TEN Of government Oh! what halcyon days IL would
make for the great magnfcoes the Wcbsers the Claws
the Presons the Adamses, and other high flying FEEDER.
aliss, who have been actively employed for years
back to obtain their wishes by expellnS from power
Democratic Administration and placing themselves
IN its stead. Here follows The letter:
r>cr>S,rI, oc,h Nov. Ism.
Ny Dear SRI answer tho questions You proposed I" this
morning with great pGas'ir.
Isl, do believe Congress abolish slavery in
Stats or in any Other nann Ine with the property OF the
cirn, m ,htir slaves, n IT, application of tie States in
the States applying their slaves These opinions
have always held, and this the sround upon which voted
Mr.. Jefferson and MIR. Madison
I'd DO not believe that Congress abolish -taTc IT." i
and the people Of the District.
Of Georgia. proposing questions similar made BY YOU and
answered them more length than have done but 10 the
purport.
In haste, truly y"ur~,
". II. HARRISON
To Tno' $780,, jr, OF New Orleans, now IN Cincinnati
(Eroa the Louisville Public .sIcer,iser.J
INDIANA ALL RIGHT;
Or, The ,rould-bc Governor endorsed by NE Quahrr.
DEAR PESN:-I was accidentally in the lInosier State