Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1844-04-18

sriTrTioN," seems to have been wholly devoted
J 10 The cause OF Constitutional Reform, To him
therefore, we may appeal with confidence for q
'ai''iui account OF movements in which he PLAYED
SO conspicuous part, and took so deep an inter.
Isl. In MS general view of the state of public
anairs' al the date OF the Constitution, he saws :
"The want of authority in Congress to reguIate
commerce, had produced in foreign nations, parti-
c"iai'y oreat Britain, monopolizinp policy in
furious TO the trade of the United States and de.
s'rnct've to their navigation the imbecii,y. and
anticipated dissolution, of the conlederacy extn-
su,s"nS all apprehensons of countervailnu
Po"cy on the part OF the United States The
sahe want oil general power over commerce led
W an exercise OIL the power, separately, by the
Sta'eS, which not only proved abortive but en-.
genusred rval, conflicting and angry regulations"
(Mad. papers, lily
Here was the mischief. Let us now see the
remedy. This will be found in Il letter which he
wrote 10 Edmund Randolph, on the 9Th of ApriI.
1857, In which he gave the outline Of such Con.
sutu'ion as he wished TO see adopted. 1t was
,his: "Let the National Government be armed
WIN rs'hve and complete authority in all ca
es wne'e UNIFORM measures are necessary. as ia
trade, &c. Let 1t also retain the powers which il
now possesses" This letter would be a precious
nut Tor modern Estate Rights men, 1t NAV be
iou an IN me Madison papers, page $50.
ne Convention was organized on the 25lh Of
may 1857 on the 2Sth, Mr.. Gouverneur Morris,
n LET
ter from citizens of Rhode Island. That STATE
had refused 10 send delegates to the Conyen,ion.
anu ms letter was sent by citizens favorable to
the objects of the Convention and was intended
to be presented by Gcn'l Varnum, who was com
miSsioned TO communicate more fully to the Con-
Veh'ion the views and wishes of those who SIGN
ed H.. We give AN extract from this letter which
may be found entire in the Appendix to the Ma
olson papers.
at is the general opinion here, and, we be-
lievc, OF the wcll-informed Throughout, the State,
that tui power for the regulation of the commerce
OF me United States, both foreign and domestic,
ought To be vested In the National Counciln
On the 29th, Edmund Randolph opened the
main business of the Convention, having, as we
are informed by Mr.. Madison, (Mad. pap 7l5,)
previously consulted with his colleagues, as TO
Inc propositions which he should submit. He
began by enumera'ing the principal defects of the
articles oil Confederation, and, among Others sta
ted the following:
" ihirdiy, that there were many advantages
winch The United States might acquire, which
We're not attainable under the Confederation
such as productive impost--counieraclion of the
commercial regulations Of other naiions-pushing
commerce al hbitum, &c. &c."-(Mad pap.
1909
With these facts before us, is it presumptuous
In us to ask, have not established our pronosi-
ton! Nay, NAV we not strengthen it, and as
sert without tho fear of successful contradiction,
met me uniform regulation Of trade, and the eff
cient protection o home interests md h,1e indus,
Try ,oos The great desideraiu ,olic more Than am
Other cause brought about that glorious result, lie
ftaTal Constitution? In our next number we
VIII trace the history OF the subject of mposts
through all the various notifications 10 which il
was subjected in Convention, and then proceed
to examine it with especial reference to its rela
uons TO the great parties and statesmen, who have
from lime 10 time guided the destinies of our Re-
public.