New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1846-02-14

ordinary or strange. Nurtured as they had been
under British law and in the British spirit il is not
surprising that their predictions were British.
They thought their old constitution the best that
could be formed with safety, and eulogized the
mon law the perfection of reason. All bad their
doubts of the success of their experiment" and
some believed free Government would al length
merge into the British FORM The debates of the
Convention that framed our Constitution reported
F., by Madison, show this Mr.. Pinckney believed this
would be the result, after the lapse of considerable
/ period OF time. Mr.. Hamilton thought unfavorably
/ OF Republican Government Gouverneur Morris
seconded motion allowing the President retain
Office during good behavior. DR.. Franklin thought
there was natural inclination in mankind kingly
government. and he was apprehehsive that the Gov.
eminent OF these States would end in a monorchy.
E!bridge Gerry thought Democracy the worst of all
political evils. But, Notwithstanding such was the
sentiment prevailing among some Of the influential
members Of this renowned Convention. the re-
set of their deliberations the establishment of a
freer constitution than the most anguine republi-
cans of them all had anticipated We have had
half centurys experience under it. and have
learned not fear the freedom and sovereignty OF
the people. We are now prepared for consummsring
a free Government-for concedng 10 the people the
utmost limi, of political power. They are the only
correctors of abuses and corruption is invariably
found where they have not direct control Let.
then the constitutions all be amended 50 as CON-
plete the harmony OF written law with Nature s
! unwrItten code. Let not leglsauCn transcend Inc
bounds of necessity Government consists not in
constitutions statute law, but is the same in
thosiry over the moral conduct OF mankind, though
not a law be written except where God has trans
scrbed ton the moral and intellectual constitution
of our nature. The aspect of law makers as they
improperly styled is tina, Of force and coercion.
This is repulsive and there is disposition in Inc
breasts OF many 10 array themselves against il Great
J advantage would therefore be gsined by greatly
curtaing legislation and interfering only with
OF the extreme causes Of insubordinaiion TO truth
and virtue The business or morals Of the people
should be n,ertered with as little as possible for
moral power asks no aid from concentrated force l.
may be question legislation as it has been
and is conducted In these States. is productive
Of more harm than benefit
We intend TO discuss, at some future time, the
important questions which here arise
We have thus reviewed three chapters OF the
book before US. We shall continue the review in
subsequent numbers of the " Journal and Review
until II be completed. We cannot avoid, notwiih-
standing the opposition We have wased to some OF
It's positions recommending ii 10 the careful auen-
ton of the public. II is book that all should pos
sess, and we hope its thinking author will continue
his political Writings We haye arrived al a juno
ture that demands the boldness Of firm and inde-
pendent sinds. Tbs people are in transition state