Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1841-06-01
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souid nal have been d!spsassd, :,
The explanations In tho staia Conventions oil lhfh
ed on the game fundamental principles, and on the
principle that the terms neceaDary and proper, gave
no additional powers to those enumerated here nc
read sundry from the debates of the Pennsy
vania, Virginia, and North Carolina Conventions
showing the grounds on which the Constitution had
been indicated by its principal advocates, against
dangerous latitude of its powers charged on 1t oy lis
opponents
He did not undertake 10 vouch for the accuracy OF
authenticity of the publications which he quoted he
thought it probable, that the sentiments delivered
might, in many instances have been mistaken, or I'M
perfectly noted but the complexion of the whole
with what he himself, and many others must recollect
fully justified the he had made of them.
The ex explanatory declarations and amendments &C
companying the Publications of the several States
formed astriking evidence wearing the same complex
ion. He referred those who might doubt on the SUD-
ject, to the several acts Of ratification.
The explanatory amendments proposed by Congress
themselves, at least, would be good authority win
them; all these renuncatons OF power proceeded on
rule of construction excluding the latitude now con-
tended for. These explanations were the more 10 De
respected they had not only been proposed BY Con
gress but ratified by nearly threeouEths OF the States
lie read several of the articles proposed remnrkng
particularly on the llth and 18TH the former as guard
ing against latitude interpretation, the latter as ea
GLIDING every source of power not within the Constr
tuition itself
With all this evidence Of the sense in which the
Constitution was understood and adopted, will 1t not
be said if the bill should pass, that It's adoption was
brought about by set of arguments, and that 10
now administered under the influence OF another set
And this reproach will have the keener sting because
it is applicable 10 many individuals concerned IN
| both the adoption and the administration.
In fine. if the power were in the Constitution, the
immediate exercise of it cannot be essentia-lf not
there The exercise of il involves the guilt of usurpa-
ton and establishes precedent onterpretaton evel
nu all the ba rrers which limit the powers othe General
nj and protecting those Of The State Govern
ments If the point be doubtful only, respect for our
selves who ought TO sbun the appearance of precpl-
fancy and ambition-respec for successors, who
ought not lightly 10 be deprived of the opportunity OF
exercising the rights of egislaton; respect for our
onstiuents, who have had no opportunity of making
known their sentiments, and who are themselves TO be
bound down 10 the measure Tor 30 long period; all
these considerations require that the revocabe dec'-
sion should least be suspended until another session.
| 1t appeared, the whole, he concluded, that the
power exercised by the Bill
Was condemned by the silence of the Constitution.
Was condemned by the rule Of Interpretation arising
out Of the Constitution.
Was condemned by its tendency to destroy the main
charac teristc Of the Constitution
Was condemned by the expostons Of the friends OF
the Constitution, whilst depending before the public
Was condemned by the apparent intention of the par
ties which ratified the Constitution.
Was condemnedby the explanatory amendments pro-
posed by Congress themselves to the Constitution
And he hoped it would receive its final condemnation
by the vote Of this House.