Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1842-03-15

less nine out Of the twelve States should rafy and
lhfh 10 te binding only between the States ratiiy'
ing. IL was thus put in the power of any four States
large o. snl without regard 10 numbers, In defeat
Iva adoption, which might have been done by very
small proportion OF the whule will appear b. refer
ence to the first That census taken very
shortly alter tie adoption OF the Constitution, at which
time the Federal population o.. the then twelve States
was } lo2279, Of which the four smallest, Delaware,
Rhode Island, Georgia, and New Hampshire, with q
population of only 81 i.0, something more than the
fourteenth part nt the whole, could have defeated the
ratification. Such The total disregard of popn!a-
ton in the adoption and formation of the Constitution.
II may, however, be said, is true, that the ContI-
tuition Is the work Of The States, and that there
nation prior 10 It's adoption but that lis adoption
fused the people of the States into one, to make
nation Of what before constituted separate and indie
pendent sovereirntes Such assertion would be dl-
rcctiy The teeth of the Constitution which says that.
when ratified, tit should be- binding mot over the
States fal'ying for that would imply that was IN
posed III higher authority between the IndI-
vduas composing the States for that would imp that
they al! merged in one bu between the States
ying the ssn'. aud thus by the strongest implication,
recognising them the parties TO the instrument and
maintaining their separate and independent existence as
States after its adoption. But let that pass. need IT
not 10 rebut the Senator'S irory-to test the truth Of
Ike assertion that the Constitution has formed nation
of The. people of these States 20 back to The grounds
already taken that II such be the fact-f they really
form Il nation since the adoption ot the Constitution,
and the nation has WILL and the numerical ma orty is
its ony proper organ in that case the mode prescribed
for the amendment Of the Constitution would furnish
abundance and conclusive evidence OF the fact. But
here again as in formation and adoption, there is no,
the slightest evidence, that such IS the ac on
the contrary most conclusive TO sustain the very oppo
site opinion.
There are two modes in which amendments to the
Constitution may be proposed The one, such that
now proposed, by resolution to be passed by two
thirds of both Houses; and the other by call oi Con
vention, By Congress, To propose amendments, on The
anpcatn uC two.ihirds Of the States neither of which
i've the least counenance 10 the theory of the Sena
tor In both cases the mode of ratification, which Is
the material point, is the same, and requires the con-
curing assent Of three orths OF the States, regardless
Of popuation, to ratl.y an amendment. Let US now
pause for moment To the effects Of this provision
There are now twcntysiz States, and the concur
rinr assent oil course of twenty States sufficient 10
raty an amendment. 1t then results that twenty OF
the smaller States of which Kentucky would be the
largest. are sufficient for that purpose, with population
in Federal numhe only 652 097 vera hun
bred thousand than the numerical minority OF the Whole,
AGAINST the united voice of the other six, with po
pulat on of -,2G2i9, exceeding the former By more
than half million. And yet THIS minority, under the
amending power, may change, alter, inooiiy or de
slroy every part Of The Constitution, except that WHEN
provides for equality of representation OF the States
IN the Senate while in mockcry and deIisono Tie
Senators theory, nineteen Of the larger States WIN
pooula,ion in Federal numbers, of li,460, cannot,
even if united 4 man, alter letter III lie Iohsuin-
ton against the seven others, with a population Oh
only 3-2 ,o; and this, too under the exsting ,on.
st;tution winch is supposed TO form the people oi
these States into nation Finally, Delaware, win
incubation of e more than 1900, can put her veto
on all the other States, proposition 70 deso: Inc
eduali,v of the States in the Senate Can facts more
cle,,l illustrate the total disregard Of the numerical
minority, as well the process of amending, as IN that
of forming and adopting the Constitution
All this must appear anomalous, strange and nnac-
countae, the theory OF the Senator, but harmoni-
Gus and easily planned on the opposite; that ours IS an
union. no, of individuals, united by what is called
SOCIAL compact for that would make II nation; nor oi
Governments Tor that would have formed oierc Con-
fderacy like the superseded by the present Con-
st,u,on; but an union oi States founded on written,
nos,ye compact forming Federal Republic with the
same equality Of rights among the Slates composing
the Union among the citizens composing the States
themselves Instead of u nation, we are IN reality an
assemblace of nations, peoples, Of The plural noun
NAV be used where the language affords none) united
in their sovereign character immediately and directly
no e,r own act, bet without losing their separate and
iniependent existence.
/, results fonI all ;ha; has been stated that either
rho bcorv of the Senator is wrong that political
system is throughout profound aud radical error. II
the latter be the case, then that complex system ours
consisting of many parts, but blended, as was sup
n,sed inio one harmonious and sublime whole, raising
10 front IN hph and challenging the admiration OF the
world is but misshappen and dlsproPortonate struc-
tn,e Tint ought TO he demolished 10 the ground, with
the snule exception Of the apartment allotted To the
House of Reprcsen IS the Senator prepared 10
commence the work oil demoon' Does he believe
,,, all other parts of tins complex structure are r
raaular and delormcd appendages; and that II they
NJ taken down. and the Government erected
exclusively on the will of the numerical majority,
yould effect as WE'LL better, the great obects LOT
which il was instituted: "to establish justice; en-
sure domestic tranqnill'ty provide for the common
defence promue The general welfare; and secure Tue
,s;nrs of liberty TO ourselves and 10 posterity
wi, the Sena,or-wlll any one-can any one-venlure
- assert that; And if not why not: There Is Inc
question: on the proper solution oil wn'ch hangs no,
ony the EXPLANATION oi the veto, but that oi Inc feai
nature and character 81 our complex, but oeautul anu
L,rmopious system of Government TO give inii
I'D v.,amat,c solution it would be necessary TO de-
sccni TO tie elements of political science, and discuss
n,,,coI,s little suited Discussion IN deiiberatise
assembly | waive the attempt, and shall content my
,olf with Giving much matter OF tact solution.
It's sufficient, for that purpose, TO point TO me acluan
oneralon of the Government, through all the stages Oh
~ ox;.,eucc and the many and important measures
which have analrd il from the beginning; the sue
cass of ch one portion of the people regarded as es-
sant;al 10 their prosperity and happiness while olher
no,,;ons have viewed them rs destructive oil both
WI, doc .bis imply but deep conflict Of interests,
,I mr. snnn,spd between the different portions oi Inc
community on subjects of the first magnitude-the
currency the finances including taxation and d'ssu'se;
,nents the Bank, the protective iarit, Distribution ana
many Others; all o: winch ihe most ofP"s'', ,uu
conflicting views have prevailed: And what would he
tine effect Of placing the powers Of the Government IN,
der the exclusive control OF the numerical nalry-o
o00 900 over 300 900; of six States over all the rest
but 10 give the dominant interest, or combination OF
interests, an unlimited and desPotc control over all
others, What but to vest it with the power TO adm
o, the Government for its exclusive benefit, regard
less of all others, and nderento their oppression and
wrechedness, And what, in country OF such vast
extent and diversity of condition, institutions, indus
v and productions would that be, but 10 subject the
rest 10 the most grinding despo,ism and oppresslon
But what is the remedy: l. would he but to increase
the evil to transfer the power 10 minority; 10 aoosn
the House of Representatives, and place the control
exclusively in the hands Of the Senae-in thai oil the
our millions instead of the eight If one must be sa-
cr;ced the other IL is better that the lew shou'u Ut
10 the many than the many 10 the few
What then is 10 be done, if neither The majority nor
The minority, the greater less part, can be safely
trusted with the exclusive control What but 10 vest
r 4, ~ -