Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1843-10-16

Siarery under the Const,ution-Thcrc appears in the
Philadelphia papers remarkable letter from the Hon. Jos
X. ngcrso certain gentlemen that city, who question
ed him. a candidate for Congress, that subject. We
call remarkable from tho high characcro of the we'll known
writer, and from the admirable dignity cearncss, candor
and kindness which mark its expression and its sentiments
sas and style il is perfect model for all
candidates who may deem proper TO answer questions
thus propounded especially If OF duty makes ne
cessary render adverse the sentiments of
those who put the question. The gentlemen who inerro
gated Mr.. ngerso will almost he induced for him
spite of their opinions, OF good will for the handsome
and generous manner OF his repy-PortIdnd AdncrfSer
The question this
'Whether YOU favorable such alteration of the
Constitution aud laws, shall either abolish Slavery the
United States put end oil aid given by the National
Government TO the system OF ensaving human beings"
We will attempt by give idea OF Mr..
lngorso ground in answering this question decidedly IN
the negative |, will be nearly this that
although change in the Constitution the point in ques
ton might be carried by maorites OF the requisite votes yet
that such change would be in itself inappropriate the
Constitution and beyond the legitimate powers conferred
by the people on those bodies whose duty - 10 intimate
mud carry through all amendments. Such change would
be amendment, but alteration such extent
10 impair the form of the government and dissolve the
Union.
''If the amendment which you suggest should be sub
med tO Congress, order that might, by their PROPOSE
ton, pass the consideration of the Legislatures Con-
OF the several States the rst duty ui member
would be ascertain whether 1t would conform the
character and scope of the Constitution and be
the frame of Government. If otherwise, obvious
, accomplishment OF the Although iwothirds OF
both Houses might "deem II necessary and might PRO
pose" 1t accordingly; and event. further, although might
be aticd by the Legislatures OF hreeouIths OF the
raj States by Conventions in eeOurt thereof the
the other mode OF ratification may be proposed 10y
the Congress- essential ingredient would still remain.
Granting for the arguments sake, attainment OF oil this
the labor of the attainment would be than lost it the
amendment itself should be inappropriate the COnstt-
ton, beyond the legitimate power conferred by the peo-
pie upon their representatives in Congress, the State
Legislatures Conventions. This question important
preliminary be resolved Gy reference both 10 the
character and extent OF the original given the
Convention which formed the constitution \ standard for
the be sought in the capacity OF the other An
biy amend Is derived from the constitution. An a.
mendnen must necessarily partukc of the patent
1t must be governed IN its authority by the authority which
permits 1t 10 he made, and points the which
1t i 10 be brought about 1t possible indeed effect an
alteration beyond this, which shall be totally different
from the original charter. But II must be done 10y
ing the government into its first elements and forming il
That would be Cndmeni, but a revolution
which destroys system and substitutes another IN It's
place. An inherent majesty lives at oil times in the
reign people, which competent the work of destruction
and constructing again Its exercise however ndepen
dent OF all constitutional power and paramount govern
itself.