Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1842-05-19

Il The following commentary, on the 9TH Sec
,ion, of the dth Article, of the Constitution OF
the United States, was written by James Madi-
son in l7oS, for the purpose ofcxplainng that
instrument, 10 the people who were about to
adopt or reject it and is now extracted from
the Fcdcralist, with the hope of assisting the
| people of the present day, to correct knowl-
| dye, of.its true intent and meaning
Il 6. "To guaranty to every State in the Union
| a republican form Of governmot; 10 protect
| them against invasion; aud on application oi
| the legislature or of the executive, (whon the
! legislature cannot be con,ened) against do
| nestle violence.
Il a protection against invasion is due, from
overy society, to tho parts composing IT, The
/ latitude Of the expression here used seems to
| secure each State, not only against tor.is isn
/ hostility, bat against ambitious or vindictive
enterprises Of its more powerful neighbours
Il The history, both of ancient aud modern con-
| cduracies, proves that the weaker members of
II the Union ought not 10 be insehslDle 10 Tie
u policy Of this article.
\ Protection against domestic violence is added
with equal propricty. Ii has been remarked,
II that even among tho Swiss cautons, which,
II properly speaking, arc not under one govern.
| mcnt, provision is made for this object; and
the history ofthat league informs Us, that nu-
Il lua aid is frequently claimed aud afforded and
j as well by the most democratic, as the other
cantons. A recent and well lkuown event a.
/ mong ourselves has warned us To be prepared
II for emergencies of like nature.
Il AT lirsl view, it might seem not to square
II with the republican theory, to suppose, either
/ "a majority have not tho right, or that mi.
norIly Will have the force, to subverta a govern
II mont and, consequently that the federal in
II torposlIon can never be required, but when II
would be improper. But theorctic reasoning,
II IN this, as IN most other cases, must be quail
II fled by the lessons of practice. Why may not
II illicit combinations, for purposes oi violence,
1 be formed as well 10y MAJORITY ola State,
especially "a small State, as by majority OF II
county, or district of the same State; aud II
/ the authority of the State ought in the latter
case To protect the local magisracy, ought not
the federal authority in the former To support
the State authority 4? Besides, there are certain
parts Of the State constitutions, which are 80
II interwoyeu with the federal constitution, that
n violent blow cannot be gwen Ia the one,
II without communicating the wound To the 9th
| er Instructions in State will rarely induce
4 a federal nterposlilon, unless the number con
ccrncd in them bear some proportion 10 the
L friends of government It will be much bet
/ ter, that the Nlblehce III suCn Cds's sho"'u oc
rcprcssed by tho experimenting power, than
that the ma lori,y should bo LETT To maintain
their cause by bloody and obstinate contest
n The existence Of right 10 InterpOso, will
generally prevent tho necessity of ekorting IT,
Il L. ttrue, thai force aud right are necessarily
on the same sides in republican governments Z
II May not the minor party possess such superl-
H oriiy of pccuninry resources, Of military talents
ard experience, or Of secrct sucrors from for.
cign powers, rs will render II superior also ~
|. an appeal Ia the sword May not u moro COM
n paci aud advantageous position turn the scale
on tic same side, agRlns superior number 50
situated a. 10 be less capable Of u prompt aud
II collected crotlIon of its strength; Moth.
ing can be more chimcfIcal than 10 imagine,
II that IN trial Of actual force, victory may BE-
calculated by the rules which prevail ln cen.
sns of the inhabitants, or which determine The
n event oi On election Nay IL not hnppon, In
/ fns, that Tie minority Q: ,.trsns n'y leeoms