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

convention or North SaTolnd PrcPosSo oS ~ 'ie'
.r CONGRESS shall no, alter, modify interfere, in the
times places of holding elections 10. senators anu
natives or either hem except when the Legislature
any se shall neglect refuse or be disabled ny invasion OF
rcLrll.un o IIcsc,ihr the SANE. ;, CO.. sc , =,
A .rhr,uuent convention in that Stale rathpd the
Concentrations. but of It's proceedings or debates have
mn tnowIedre. So much for North Carolina. How
uch Of the shirt of the fathers has descended 10 The
sons whether the jealous regard Tor her honor
and her riah,s the same vglant opposition 10 Federal
that distinguished her IN lteo exist now,
The vote upon this question will snow
MIR Chairman, the only remaining Stale convention
from whose proceedings shall have occasion to read,
is that of the State Of Rhode Island ana providence
Plantations That gallant little Stale, whch bore so
credi.abe part in the events of the Revolut'on which
Is even now casting the slough Of royalty, by repudat
;no the charter of Charles the Second and adopting
constitution in accordance with the Tree spirit OF
her peope-took firm and manly GROUND against Tue
ercrci.e by Congress of any control over the election
Of REPRESENTATIVES The convention winch ralied the
Constitution accompanied mat ralicasIoh win tue ioi-
lowing injuncton:
Ar1 e Convention do in The name and behalf Of the peo-
pie o Of Rhode land ana Providence ia en-
lives which may elected 10 represent ,s state IN CONGRESS
~ nj th. influence and all reasonable means, tn OBJ
,n of following amendments To The said Con-
,rh s,ond amendment proposed is in these words
,t Congress shall alter, modify or interfere in the
,me places or of holding elections Tor Senators aud
Representatives, either OF them .'r @h.m 'ns
rrbsllon to prescribe the same"
rr"m The remarks made yesterday by of the
honorable members from that State, Mr. lillinghnst,
hone TO see her still adhere 10 the faith OF their
fathers.
from the speeches and the official declarations of those
who formed the Constitution, and who, IN the several
S,o,rs ratified it. | have attempted to show that il
would he unconstitutional to exercise this power now,
the debates in the National Convention prove
that il was only intended 10 be al ultimate power, Tor
sIc nreservalion in case the States neglected 10 exer
else il; because in the case OF New York, such con-
struc,on was made by the convention part OF the "a
,;Gcation.-and the admission Of New York into the
Union uhe Union having been previously formed by
The ratification of nine Sates) with such ratilcation
was concurrence by the other States in that consruc
ton; because if Congress can divide the States INTO
districts still has right TO direct the States so to d
vide them Nor do | admit that the fact that several
States directed an amendment of the Constitution in
This partc ular is any evidence of an admission by
that it existed the contrary the debates IN the
conventions show that they feared that this power
would be exercised bya misconsiruction OF The Con-
s,i,u,ion and recommended the amendment from great
caution and through fear that this central Govern
m.nt would draw TO Itself all the powers of the Stale
Governments-a fear which seems now about to be re-
allied.
But. Sir, aside from the constitutional question: with
what overwhelming force DO the authorities to which
have referred bear against the expedency OF eXecIs
cious statesmen ofl7SS well united? ask you 10
40 back to that eventful IN the history of our
publc This Constitution is sent TO the several States
for their ratification: each State chooses from among
s wisest and best TO meet in State convention, 10 de-
berate upon this important question: and of The
States in their respective conventlons-yes Sir,
ortv of the sold rieen-declare the exercise OF
this power TO be fraugh with danger, and advise that
il be stricken from The Constitution. The illusrous
men who composed those conventions have been
gathered to their fathers; but, though dead they speak
10 ms in their recorded opinions their patriotic
GELS. their solemn warnings; and ask you, Sir, TO
pye full heed 10 this VOICE, which comes trumpet
topqued from the omb Of the patriot fathers, and bids
us beware how We cx. rcse this doubtful this dan gernus
control over the rights of the States 1.-THE power
doubtful them has become more so by the non-user OF
half century fit were dangerous in those days of
(eryent devotion country il has become doubly in
These DAYS of blind devotion TO party The Consttu
fon as is and il has been construed, has been we'll
approved by the experience of fifty years, as sufficient
for al, the purposes of this Government; and it is only
when lis saluiary provisions and the practice under H.
are found 10 be hndrances to "vaung ambition, that
we Of propositions for its amendment, or for exer
csipr new powers under it. From the unchas,ened
ambition Of political asplrants has sprung the PROPOSE
ton 10 abolish the veto power and the amendment now
under discussion comes from the same source.
Sir, since have had the honor of seat upon this
floor no proposition has been introduced which was 10
me so odous this. Neither the Abolition movements
Of the North nor the Notification Of the South, are
much TO be feared this bold attempt TO 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 popula
ton jealous of their rights, imPa,ien, of control, can
never be governed by Central Government; and it
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 it flies to atoms.