The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-02-24

srnmsn. ycaI need not press our present dan.
efs. .neheienoy OF Congress you have often fels
ar ass smc,ai cn,rscser the Increasing a 81
:. would be know, to you, source OF the deef'
. morrnostion
ppont zof the General Assem- TO the convention
at Philadelphia tor the gloomy prospect still admits
consummated the revolution can yet rescue America
frem the impending ruin"
body constituted was the Federal Convsntioa nush
nrsriety OF opinion and conflict Of sentiment would
display themselves No fact is better asoerainsd than
that the plan OF government finally agreed upon
not in all its parts satisfactory; but taken Is whole
ss comprehensive scheme OF com promise ana settle
nent calculated to existing disorders allay
sectional discomfort and the country from the
horrors OF civil war; it regarded by most Of those
Who had taken part in its formation, as entitled not
to their cordial and unqualified approval at least OF
their prompt and peaceful scquiescenc in its various
provisions Such was precisely the view Of Washington;
ton to the respective States he spoke of the plan of
government agreed upon ~ the result OF spirit OF
which the popularity OF their politics situation
dered in dispsnesble He sdded:-"That IL will meet
the full and entire appreciation OF every state 10 not
slider that had her interests been alone ceAsulted the
consequences light have bsen particularly dsagreea-
BILE furious to others That IL is liable to few
exceptions could reasonably have been ted
hope and believe; that may promote the astins vel
freedom and happiness, is most ardent wish
In one Of his numerous Letters, written after the
some thing. in the new form wiz readily acknow.
ledge, which never did, and / am persuaded never
will obtain my cordial appreciation but aid then
gregat is the best constitution that be obtained
at this epoch, and that this or q dissolution, attracts
choice and is the only alternative He also said
1t appears to little short of miracle that the
delegates from so many States, different from each
should unite in forming system OF national govern
ment little liable to we'll founded objections Nor
am yet such an enthutsstc, partial or undiserimi
mating admirer Of 1t not to perceive it Is tinctured
with some real though not radical defects
Although General Washington thus protested not to
be enthusiastic admrer Of the constitution and
IDENTIFY enerai ned the opinion that it in several
respects or lees defective yet believing that its
ultimate ratification by the State, Q matter OF
vital Importance the nation he only acquiescei
in 1t cheertuy and promptly himself but became one
sfits most jealous and untirng advocates as very
large number eff letters addressed to public in
in diferont parts of the Union most conclusiveiy
prove will, with your permission, read Q few ex-
tracts from one or two of the letters referred to
in order to place this matter beyond all dispute
confess that am the more disposed to offer tss
time an impression prevailing TO some extent that
General Washington himself was at heart hostile to
,Jttem OF government Ia a letter to Mr. Madison
dated March lsS referring to the ratification OF the
constitution by Massachusetts, he thus writes
The decision OF Massachusetts notwithstanding its
concomitsnts Is severe stroke to the opponents of
the proposed constitution In this State and With the
favorable decision of those States which have gone be-
fore It. and such are likely to follow will have a
powerful operation the mind. Of men, who not
more influenced by passion, pique ana resentmsa at
than they are by csndor, moderation and judgment.
OF the former description, however sorry TO say
there are too many; aud among them, ssme who would
hazard everything rather than fail in their opposition
or have The ssgacy OF their representations peach
ed by the issue" Again, in letter to General Knox,
he ays:-" Under the circumstances enumerated in
your letters the favorable decision which has taken
place in that State could hardly have been expected
Nothing less than the good sense sound reasoning
derston and temper OF the supporters of the
could have carried the question 1t will be inf
tal on the equvocsl States In the two which xt
TO conveneNew Ham shire and Maryland there can
be no doubt Of its adoption and In South Carolina but
little, which will make nine states without Olsen
tient The force OF this argument is hardly to be
resisted by local sophis.ry. candor and prudence,
believe there some ehsrssters among who would
hazard every thisg rather thai their opposition
CT leave to the operation OF the the chance
OF proving the fascy of their predictions. by which
their ssgacity and foresight migh be mp.sched In
An adjournment Of your convention, If attempted,
TO later period than the deci,on Of the question in
this state will be tantsmount to the rejection of the
constitution have good reasons tor this opinion and
am told II is the blow which the leading characters
ofthe oppo.iton in the next State have nsiitsted il
II shall pc found that direct attack is not likely TO
succeed in yours III this be true IL cannot be t1o
much deprecated and guarded against. TIE postpone
meut in New Hampshire, although Il had no retersncs
to the Convention OF this State but proceeded alto.
gethsr from the local circumstance, of its own, is
ascrbsd BIZ the opposition here 70 compaisancs to-
wards Virginia and great use is made Of a. An event
similar TO this in Maryland would have the ten
dency agiustle for indecision there would certain
ly have e0ntiderabe inhu-ncs upon South Carolina.
the only oher State which IL TO prsoeds Virgins aud
submits the question almost wholly to the deter
already touched upon this string, and will be
rsis.d much higher II there is fresh cause =
Agsin in letter to John Armstrong he thus writes
That the proposed constitution will admit Of
Amendment Is ackno wledged By its advocates
but to make such amendments as may be proposed by
the several states the condition OF its adoption would
in my opnon, amount TO complete lection OF 1t,
for upon examination OF the objections which are
made By the opponents In different States, aud the
amendments which have been proposed, Il will be
found that what would Be favorite object with one
State is the very thing which .tren uou.ly opposed
By another The truth lie too APT to be Eayed
By local pr.iudice.. and those who fond OF
amendments which have the particular interest of
their State in view cannot extend their idea. to
the general welfare Of the Union They do not cons
der that Tor every sa,race which they make they re
made by other states tor their ben.at and that
those very things which they give up operate thsr
advantage through the medium OF th- great Interest
In addition to these considerations, 70 should be
remembered that constitutional door IL spsned for
such amendment. az shall be thought necessary by
nine States WHEN reflect upon these crcum.
stances am surprised to hnd that any person who
Il acquainted with the eritiss state Of public
fair. and knows the variety Of views interests feel
inys ana prejudcs. which must be consulted in ra1
Ing general government for these States, and nov
lttl. propositions in Themselves opposite 70 each
ether sill tend 70 promote that desirable end can /
wi.h 20 make smsndneon the u.iialtln for adopting
the offered system
sts.s however formidable 10 has been rsprss.nted IT,
generally speaking. conpo"d Of such characters as
cannot have an extensive influence Their strength Il
veil a. that Of these Of the same Glass In other
States seems 10 lie in INTERPRETATION and deire
10 infsme the passions aud 20 alarm the fears By Il
noisy defamation. rather than TO couvnss the IN
aertsnding BY sound Arguments or fair st i'm partial
,tstemerfs Bsfisi in their attacks upon the consti
tuition they have sttsmp pied 10 Willy and deba.e the
character, those -ho ormedit but even her. trust
they vill not ruscsed Upon the whole doubt whether
the opposion 70 the csn.tution ~ill not ultimately
BE- productive Of good than evil 10 has called
forth ia its defence abilities which would not per
hsps have been othersi-e exsrtsd that have throsn
n.E lsht upon the sciences % government I. las
Esen the rights Of full aud tsr discussion aud
~ plsnsd them In clear aud forcibls manner a.
car not fail TO make lasting impression upon those
Who rssf the best publications on the subject and
particularly the pieces der the signature OF Pub
Illus y See the numbers Of the Fsdsyali,t
The true character Of Gen Washington views aud
feelings IN r,ferssce 10 the cousttuiou this
psdis Of rstifyipg It may be inferred from the
fact that on receiving intelligence By exprs.s from
the city Of Richmond that the delegates in tn. con-
vsntion Of tina. state had Adopted the constitution
10 toto the citizens of Alexandra ADD its vicinags