Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1842-05-17
N ventioa Of North Carolina proposed one in these

PiePoseN - ~-'~-~
words: ne. ;,e J.; ,h
times acr. or Of holding elections io senators anu
either Of heIn except wren ,ne Lessauac
any state shan neglect refuse or be disabled ny invasion OF
rebellion o prescribe tue SANE :, co.. sc -,
a .rhc,auent convention IN that Stale ratified the
C,,,,,inn: but of lis proceedings debates have
mn knowledre So much for North Carolina. How
,h of the sp;rit of the fathers has descended 10 The
sons whether the same jealous regard for her honor
and her ruhts the same yglant opposition 10 Federal
that distinguished her IN l|cc exist now
The vote upon this question viii SHOW.
Mr. Chairman, the only remaining Stale convention
from whose proceedings shall lave occasion to read
is that of the State of Rhode Island and Providence
Plantations That gallant little Slate, which bore so
credabe part IN The events OF the Revolution; winch
i oven now casting the slough Of royalty, by repuda
ng the charter of Charles the Second, and adopting
STATE constitution in accordance with the free spirit OF
her people-took firm and manly ground against the
nv Congress of any control over the election
of Representatives The convention which ratified the
Constitution accompanied 'ha' 'a'eao' WV" TIC W.
lowing njuncton:
"An1 The d., in The name and behalf Of the poo
p Of The State Rhode leland and Providence Plantations en-
hin mon their and Representative, or kcpeseEti
lives which be elected 10 represent hls se IN
N e,e all their influence. and use all reasonable MEANS 10 OBJ
rain ratification the following amendments 10 the said Con
sitnon." .I : :: H.. ....l
.h,, ronrres shall not alter modify interfere in the
mrs places or of holding elections for Senators aud
"rseniaiycs or either of them except when the Legislature
n nny state neglect refuse be disabled ny Invasion or
=. H., 10 prescribc the same.'
From the remarks made yesterday by of the
sonor,ble members from ,ha, State, Mr.. Tnghust,l
hone TO see her still adhere to the faith oil their
fathers.
I have now finished. Mr.. Chairman, my quotations
from the speeches and the official declarations OF those
who formed the Constitution, and who, IN the several
S,otcs ratified it. have attempted TO show that II
would he unconstitutional tn this power now,
because the debates in the National Convention
that it was only intended TO be an ultimate power, for
self prescrvaon the States neglected 10 e1er'
rise il: because in the case oil New YORK, such con-
sructon was made by the convention part OF the
,i;cat;on-and the admission Of New York into the
Union uhe Union having been previously formed by
the ratification of nine Sates) with such ratitcation,
was concurrence by the other States in that consuc-
ton because, If Congress can divide the States INTO
districts it still has right 10 direct the States so to di
vide them Nor do admit that the fact that several
States directed amendment OF the Constitution IN
this parlic uar, is any evidence oil an acmisson oy
bem that il xisted on the contrary the debates in the
conventions show that they feared that this power
would be exercised by misconstruction OF The Con-
s,iution and recommended the amendment from great
caution and through fear that this Central Govern
mrnt would draw TO itself oil the powers oil the Stale
Governments-a fear which seems now about 10 be re.
allied. .
what overwhelming force do the authorities to which
have refe rred bear against the e1pedency OF eXercIs
inn this power! Upon what question were the saga
cous statesmen ofl7SS so well united? ask you to
90 back to that eventful IN the history OF our re-
nublic This Constitution sent to the several States
for their ratification: each State chooses from among
its wsest and hest TO meet in State convention 10 de-
iberate upon this important question: and screen OF The
States in their respective conventons-yes, Sir ma
iorty of the od thirteen declare the exercise OF
this power TO be faugh with danger, aud advise that
il be stricken from the Constitution. The illustrions
men who composed those conventions have been
gathered to their fathers; butt though dead, they speak
10 us in their recorded opinions their patriotic coun
GELS their solemn warnings; and ask you, Sir TO
rive full heed 10 this voice. which comes trumpet
tonoued from the NIB of the patriot fahers and bids
us be ware how we this doubtful this DANCE
control over the rights OF the States II The power was
doubtful then il has become more so Ivy the nonuser oil
half century. fit were dangerous in those days OF
erven de votion 10 country il has become doubly in
these DAYS of blind devotion to party The Consttu-
on as il is and il has been construed has been well
approved by the experience OF fifty years. as sufficient
for all the purposes of this Government; and is only
when lis sauary PROVISIONS and the practice under il,
are found 10 be hndrances to "vautng ambition, that
we hear Of propositions for its amendment, for
cisinr new powers under it. From the unchasened
ambition Of political asplrants has sprung The PROPOSE
lion to abolish the veto power and the amendment
under discussion from the same source.
Sir since have had the honor Of a seat upon this
floor no proposition has been introduced which was
me so odious as this. Neither the Abolition movements
of the North nor The Notification of the South,
much to be feared this bold attempt 10 take from the
people, and from their immediate representatives in the
Stale Legislatures the control of their elections.
This vast this growing empire, covered with PoPua.
ton Jealous Of their rights, impatient of CONTROL can
never be governed by Central Government; and II
should be the work of the PATRIOTIC who wish TO see
this Union endure, 10 discontinue in this Government
every power which can be exercised by the States
The strength of this republic consists in the strength OF
the States Like the atmosphere upon physical bodies,
they preserve it firm and united remove that power,
and il flies to atoms.