The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1845-02-22

sti,ution which ,ntlemen now say we have. But no
one in that convention lifted yoice-not finger
was raised-to put in this necessary sta and essen
rial limitation upon this broad aud comprehensive
grant of mower AZ YOU conceive that II was the in
ention Of the convention TO restrict II. The con
chl,,on therefore was irresis be, that the conVen-
ton either did not understand the import oil The terms
which they used Or knowing Them, intended TO de-
ceiye or be misunderstood or that they intended 10
do precisely what they have done-to give the power
in The broad and comprehensive terms IN which IL Is
written upon the face of the Constitution, to be ex
ercsed with wise discretion for the salutary puf
pose for which we were now called upon TO exercise
it, for the common good and for the dement's 10 arise
to posterty 49,. ,.ho
attempted To explain away the import of these terms
upon the action of GouveIneur Morris and Luther
Martin in that convention. Now, lei him eau these
witnesses, whom the gentlemen had themselves IN
yoked to the stand. One OF them, he UNDERSTOOD,
was called up yesterday by an honorable senator
Mr.. CoLaUrrr i but the other had not yet been
called upon this side OF the question. He need not
quote the opinion of Gouyerneur Morris upon TINS
particular article Of the constitution II was read
yesterday The Senate, therefore, were well INFORM
ed upon it. Perhaps, however, II would be well 10
read an extract from his letter, written 10 loO3,-
though he (Mr M laid no stress upon Il himself
IMr. NJ. here quoted at some length from Mr.. Nor
ris's letter showing that Mr.. Morris was Of opinion
that in the natural course Of events, the whole ter
ritory of North America must at some future period,
become incorporated under this government."I
Mr. Morris, then, knew that all North America
must eventually be united to us; yet this gentleman
knowing and ioreseeing this and as one Of the con-
yention, who, It was alleged, intended TO restrain
and limit the broad meaning of tins clause IN the
constitution, 10 admit new States into this Union
made effort 10 insert All mendment which would
limit il.
Luther Martin, the patriotic sage of his own State
in In
the constitution would have great weight with him,
had also been appealed TO as sustaining the con
strucuou which gentlemen had endeayored 10 give
to this clause Of the constitution, and who had so
ingeniously attempted TO show that these words
| should not be understood according TO their plain
and true import Ia carefully looking over the jour
nails of the conyention-in carefully perusIng and re-
| perusing all that Luther Martin had said IN his
communication TO the legislature Of Maryland, CIV
ing his reasons for voting against the adoption oil
the consttutIon,he could nowhere find the slight
est possible alluslon made by him 10 any objection
urged against the comprehensive nature of this grant,
but the whole Of his influence and power was d.
reced against the restriction OF the clause, as re-
! garded lis internal operations No objection what
ever made against its external operations
! Now, could any man induce him Mr., MeTick) to
believe that Luther Martin, the most learned law
yer practising at the bar of his country, and one OF
the most sagacIous statesmen IN the convention, did
not perceive that this clause would give Congress
| the power to admit States wherever they should
arise, whether within the Union or without Yet
with all the certainty we have that he must nave
perceived this, not word of objection was made
and no reference to il can be found In his commun
cation TO the legislature Of Maryland, when he came
TO reader account Of his stewardship' But what
does Luther Martin say He objects to the consti-
tuition strongly, but upon what ground2 Hear him.
in his communication TO the legislature OF the State
which commissioned him to represent them upon the
floor Of this august assembly Speaking of this par
tIcuar clause, he says:
"By the Sd section of the 9TH article no new State
shall be formed or erected within the jurisdiction OF
any other State, without the consent of the legIsla
ture Of such State"
Not word is said in objection to this clause upon
the ground that foregn States might be admitted
Detailing his objections 10 it, he continues:
There a number of States which are so cir
cumstanced with respect TO themselves and 10 other
States, that every principle Of justice and sound poll
cy requires their ACKNOWLEDGMENT or division into
smaller States. Massachusetts is divided into two
districts, totally separated from each other by the
State OF New Hampshire, the northeast SIDE Of
which lie the provinces of Maine and Sagadohock,
more extensive in point of territory, but pspu-
ous than old Massachusetts, which lies the other
side of New Hampshire. No person can cast his eye
on the map of that State, but he must IN a moment
admit that every argument drawn from commerce.
interest, and justice, requires that the provinces OF
MAINE SagauOnock snOul0 De erected INTO new
State, and that they should not be compelled to
main connected with old Massachusetts, under all the
Inconvenience of their situation.
1.-The State OF Georgia Is larger in extent than the
whole island Of Great Britain, extening from its sea-
coast to the Mississippi, distance of eight hundred
miles or more; its BREADTH for the most part, about
three hundred miles 1 he States of North Carolina
and Virginia, in the same manner, reach from
coast unto the Mississippi
The hardshIps, the Inconvenience, and the ipus-
tee OF compelling the inhabitants of those States,
who may dwell on the western side of the mountains
and along the Ohio and Mississippi rivers to remain
connected with the inhabitants of those States re-
sPecuvely on The Atlantic side of the mountains and
subject 20 the same State governments would be such
as would, in my opinion, justify even recourse TO
arms, to free themselves from and shake Off igno-
mnious yoke"
Still nothing is said in reference to the admission
OF foreign States. He would not detain the Senate
by quoting all the grounds of OF lection taken by
Luther Martin but merely read more passage.
In summing up tins was the language used
"When reflect how obstinately those States
(Massachusetts, Virginia, and other large States }
cunteDded Tor that unjust superiority of power in the
government which they have IN part obtained and
Tor the establishment of this superiority by the con.
stitution -when we reflect that they appeared willing
to hazard the existence Of the Union rather than not
succeed in their unjust attempt--that should their
legislatures consent to he erection of new States
within their jurisdiction, it would be an immediate
sacrifice OF power, TO obtain which they seemed dis
posed to sacrifice every other consideration when
we further reflect that they have motive for |
desiring to preserve their Territory entire and unbro
ken, which they never had before-,he qualification
o: their ambition IN possessing and exercising supe
ror power over their sister State and this cons,i
tuition IS to give them the means to effect this desire
OF which they were formerly dcstitute-the whole
force OF the United States pledged to them for re.
straning intestine connections, and preserving to
them the obedience aed subsection of their citizens
even in the EXTREMIST part of their territory saw
sir, when we consider all these things It would be too
absurd add Improbable TO deserve serious answer.
should any person suggest that these States mean
ever 10 give their consent to the erection Of new
states WITHIN their territory. Some of them, it is
true, have been for some time past amusing their in
hlhIianis iu those lIaLriGLs ihat