The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-04-03
Historical Society.


A numerous meeting Of the Members Of this So
ciety was held last evening, at the University,
Washington Square.
WILLIAM BEACH LAWRENCE, Esq, wee fres'-
dent, in the Char.
Among the gentlemen present, were Judge Jones,
Mr. Robinson. the distinguished Eastern Traveller
General Wetmore, Messrs. Benedict, Folsom, Jay,
Dr. Mathews, B. f. Butler, Field, Colt, H. A. "A.
Parker, and several members OF the Society, dis
tingushed in the various walks OF literature.
The Recording Secretary, Mr.. JAY, offered re-
solution proposing an amendment 10 the Report OF
the Committee, III favor OF concentrating the ae-
ton OF The Society as 10 confne It's operations
within New York. The amendment proposed the
establishment of Branch Societies Throughout the
States.
General WErMoRE opposed the resolution, on
the ground that 1t would operate nIurlousy against
| the interests OF the Society.
| The resolution was referred TO select commit
| tee OF three
The Corresponding Secretary read communlca-
tons from the National Institute, Washington, e-
guessing the Society 10 open correspondence With
that department.
being appointed an honorary MEMBER OF the Socle-
~, and accepting the same.
From Charles Campbell, Esq with donation,
"The Bland Papers.
The Secretary read long list OF donations TO
the Society, consisting OF various documents from
Congress, and works on literature alter which
The Hon. BENJAMIN + BUrLLn proceeded to read TO the
Society paper On the History vi the hrst amendment
oil the Constitution OF the United states" He epoogsed
the Society the imperfect manner III which he had
prepared the offered TO them and he claimed their
Indulgence as 1t was prepared within very lew days.
His object TO give succnct history OF the ten og-
amendments oil the Constitution, which gnaranieed 20
people another Magma Charter-which amendment to
then only because they secured the invaluable pr
veges oil perfect freedom oi relgonthe uncons FAMED
liberty Of The press &c &c but because vi many asvca-
tons connected with the exciting ume-other watch
less identified herewith He CONSIDER ed the
question under aspects-trst their connection with
Constitution VI the United states; and I'd as limit 10
the judicial power lie went into u minute Detail
OF the OF the different State Cow and
the disc hch took place therein beginning with
Massachusetts The conflict OF opinion ON the adoption
OF these amendmt ns gave rise 10 much opp9sion even
the part OF OF the most distinguished patriots OF
the day. Their conduct he defended by pointing toihc
briliancy and ability OF their subsequent career ana
ground tor nputing either iactons
selfish motives them in their OpposIIion The Con-
ventions OF Maryland, New Hampshire, Georgia, Sonh
Carolina, New ork next came under review ia Inc
course Of which descriptive sketches OF many OF the
great men OF the day were introduced. washington
Randolph Jefferson, Henry Clinton and many more,
successfully brought forward as connected with the
events then the subject OF consideration Inc zeal Oh
ame( dments to the original constitution IN the lace OF
the strong feeling which prevailed against Their made
quaCy to remedy the faults Of the original CONSTITUTION
were dwelt upon popular feeling prevailed that the
amendments explicit enough, nor suficlehty
comprehensive remedy the deiect OF the original
Constitution in not guaranteeing to them another BIN
OF rights"-such they had been taught by Eng
fish history regard their privilege and right
1t was shown, however that such u summary OIL
popular rights not only not necessary, but dah
Kerous; as would imply restricuon Vi the CON
sutonal demands OF the people what was therein de-
fined anu FORTH and precuded the wholesome adapta
subsequent legislation to the regiments OF more
advanced country. The proceedings oi the New YORK
Convention OF peculiar interest," ana much warm
| opposition then encountered by the aneha-
ments, but it showed the great Judgment and dscri'
miAation OF the who then represented this state,
that the ten amendments, adopted by them, were
those which enforced to-day in the Constitution ne
ndments (ssid Mr. b. might be remarked in
protect the people rom the nioads OF inc
Federal Government than IRON the influence oil TIE
State governments He audel to the diversity OF oPn-
the best authorities ON the appi-
cation parts vi the amended Constitution to The
States gov enmenthe opinion vi Chancellor Wai"oih
and the final decision oil Judge Marshall IN 1888 that
they applicable only to the oihcers oil The
Union The decision OF Judge Marshall on Tins occasion
highly praised by the speaker and its perusai recon-
mended all The variety oil the topics Introduced into
this interesting historical essay preciudes the possibh'y
OF doing justice but by iull Insertion The aboven
only an cpome of the full taken Of it, but which
would be TOO long to insert in iull.
After the vi the address, the marked satsiac
ton Of the society evnced, and their unanimous
thanks returned the Hon Mr. Butler for this valuable
contribution to the sociey's operations II was then
by the president that they should adourn the pro-
ceedngs ended by adjournment to partake oil some
choice refreshments provided for the OCCASION