New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1843-05-22
39clitiral 5plstorp.-No. Xxx.
Prepared for The Tribune by EDwls WILLIAMS.

39cltttral 5plstorp.-No. Xxx.
Prepared for The Tribune by EDwIs WILLIAMS.
wAsnlscr os's ADMINS rn41 !oN-rs,I coscer,.MESD
MESIs TO THE C0SsTiTrT ioN--iiAM1L ONs FtSAaC!AL
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. OF STATE DrHrs
The first session Of the first Congress, held at
New. York. continued from the 9th April 1889,
(when q quorum of both Houses was formed, "a
we have stately until the 29th September fol
lowing. The Senate of this and the Second Con-
gress sat with closed DOORS but the proceedings
Of the House of Representatives were open to the
public and reported in the newspapers Of that day.
Mr.. Madison, contrary to the expectations of
the friends of the Constitution, took an early stand
in Congress in opposition to Gen. Washngton's
administration. 1t is difficult even at this day TO
account for his course IN Congress. Mr.. M. had
been one of the strongest advocates OF the Con-
stitution. both in the National Convention and IN
the Virginia State Convention, which ratified ii
through his efforts, combined with those OF
Washington and others. He was also associated
with Hamilton and Jay in commencing it to the
people, through the writings o" The Federast.'
In consequence of this course of Sir. Madison
IN sustaining the Constitution the Legislature of
Virginia, in which was an anti-Fcderal majority
at the time, refused to elect him to the Z. S. sen
ate, and his opponents, Richard Henry Lee and
William Grayson were chosen. The same Lee
gislaturc requested Congress TO call another Con.
vention TO amend the Constitution but Congress-
had no authority for thar purpose. Mr.. Madison,
having been elected to the House OF Representa-
tives after being defeated as a candidate for Sen.
I
which, together with those presented by the sew
eral States, referred to !, Committee con-
fisting of one Member from State, with general
instructions. Amendments We're reported by this
Committee, and atter long debates and various
alterations twelve articles were agreed to by both
Houses, to be submitted to the States Ten Of
these articles of Amendment Were adopted by
three-iourihs (thc Constitutional numbersl OF the
States. and reported by the President othe second
Congress at their first session III 1871. They
are the first ten amendments which have been
since added to the Constitution OF the United
States. The e'erenh amendment 10 the ConSt-
tuition, as it now stands, proposed at the first
session OF the third Congress, and was declared
adopted in January, los. The tircIM amend
nent was passed al the frs! session of the eighth
Congress, and was declared adopted IN September,
1874. Two amendments proposed BY the first
congress, relating 10 tho number OF the House o.
Representatives, and 10 compensation for the ser
vices of the members of the National Legislature.
Were rejected by The States, threc-four,hs not
voting In favor OF the same.
In the Z. S. Senate the various amendments
proposed by the Virginia Convention were moved
and rejected. This gave grea, dissatisfaction 10
the Senators as well as the People OF that State
Mr Jefferson, however says, IN his letter 10 MIR.
Meiish, (vol. OF hls works. page lSl.} that the
Republican party obtained at the commencement
OF the Constitution sail the amendments To II
they deslred. These rcconcilcd them to it per-
iectly, and If they have any rl,erioy view it is
only perhaps TO popularlzc It further by shortening
the Senatorial term, and dcvsing process for the
responsibility of Judges, more practicable than
that of impeachment
The amendments of the first Congress. as
adopted. were principally confined 10 Declara.
ton of Rights, and did no, include those various
alterations Ia the body OF the Constitution pro-
posed by some OF the States, particularly by Nir.
ginia and New York, There is abundant evil
dencc 10 show tina, the anti. Fcderalists. who af-
forwards adopted the name OF (" Republicans
Were not satisfied with the Constitutions nor were
they perfectly reconcilcd to 1t, as Mr. jefferson
asserts, when amended the amendments a6opted
not beng those proposed By them The Virginia
Senators, IN transmitting the amendments TO the
Legislature III that State, observed, :. 1t is i'm.
possible for us not TO see the necessary tendency
to consolidated empire, in the natural operation OF
the Constitution, Il no. fisrthsr amended than is
nop proposed, Such amendments. therefore, as
may secure agains, the annihiatio. of the Stale
Governments, we dcvoutly wis.,. TO see adopted
Governor George Clinton, who was the leader
OF the anti FederaIsts in Now-York, in address
ing the State Convention, alter ii had ratified the
Constitution by small! majority, SAID : that until
q Convention was called TO consider the amend.
men,s recommended by this State Convention,
(Which was no, done,] the probability was that
the great body OF the people who were opposed 10
the Constitution scoata not BE- SATISFIED"
The ans'-teceraltsts in the first Congress, With
very lew exceptions showed ,sieir dissatisfaction
with the aes- Constitution by throwing Obstacles
in the way Of the esicien. organization Of the
Government under the auspices OF Gen. Wash
ington, and in opposing the wise measures OF
Hamilton, the Champion OF the Constitution.