Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1851-03-18

such selection Z For they would not believe US,
tbatconstitutons were vain and Worthsess lhihs
and civil and political liberty, their own included
mama and nothing more. And what would the pec-
pie of all the thirty free and independent States OF
this Union think and say living enc and an OF mem
under written constitutions, full OF guarantees SDG
Limitations of power and in the full enjoyment OF
civil and political liberty; all their citizens enjoy
ing equal rights and perfectly sale, happy ano lEee
with Ilthcir governments with few excepnonS)
based upon equal rights and numbeTs-what would
the whole world think and Sayings and SUBJECTS
all
But 1 forbear TO press this course of argument
The truth is there is of US who can believe
himself when INDUCING in such objections, not one
who must not feel and know that this scouting OF
antics arising under express and positive PrcVl-
sions is worse than idle, il is dapgcTous-dIscour-
aging. affirm. and in this take issue with the
gentleman from Fauquicr and others on his SIDE,
that If instead of relying upon the almost unlimited
power in our present constitution, and this implied
guarantee so ling and tenaciously he'll on to, OF
union of power and interest," IN the hanos OF inc east
which has provided for US and posterity, the STATE
blessing of eighteen millions of debt and liability
and TO be increased, the present session OF our Leg
isaturc several millions more. II, instead OF THIS
unlimited power and present mixed basis guarantee
for such il is in effect, this giving we are told
the power to the hands whose interests would re-
strain it's abuse and improper exercise without
other sanction and under which, il is said, the cast
would take care of ITSELF the west, and the valley
all, the majority had been under its own govern
ment and care, and under express positive Suafan-
tees, arising under express ana pOSlllSe
and restrictions, we would not now have this debt
upon u.s. and be infinitely better off, And fell the
east and the west also, that my constituents, rich
slave-holding and-holdiug, tax paying people and
unyielding in their support Of the white basis favor
these express positive restrictions and prohibltlonS
OF legislative power upon every subject, slavery;
debt State credit, loans, taxation and ALL ana WI
insist upon them whatever basis we adopt; we
arc sick and tired of protection under the minority
unlimited power and implied mixed basis Guaran-
tee, as existing basis is in effect and OF that
Ill
Legislature, ard of its corrupting, demoraZing IN
huenccs, taxation, sinking the charac-
ter well as the credit and resources OF the state
We believe and feel that we have had enongh OF
thistort OF protection and too much Of it. We de-
sire profit by dear bought experience, by change
not by the continuance OF the same order OF hlnSS
which would be the effect as ii is the very Design
Of the proposed amendment under conSIdera'tnn.-
miScal!Gd publican government with almost uh-
limited power in the hands OF a sectional minority
upon slave basis in part in disguise so degrading
to rcemcn whom it excludes from the enjoyment
oftheir rights, and which has worked so badly, is
not what we desire. Such government, i'll our cs-
tfmation is little better than monarchIal one OF
limited powers, II any better at ALL Will not say
little better than aristocracy, for then should
only compare it with itself.
We know the power in this government, in who
Soever hands, west is To he exercised by ana
through legislative agents. and repeat, we have
learned from all history we'll as from tho pastex-
pcrcnCe OF our goYCTnm with power in the hands
OF the east has been abused, and we fear would he
again. unless sufficiently guarded and restrained
and VIC therefore would restrict and Withhold all
power from the government except SO much as may
be necessary and proper for wise and prudent au-
minisratou of our affairs, believing in the doctrine
of bill Of rights that of all the modes and forms
of government, that is best which is capable OF pro-
ducing the greatest degree of happiness and SAFELY
and is most efectually secured against mal-admln-
istration, and that when any government shall be
found inadequate contrary 10 these purposes
majority OF the people hath an induhItabc, unaicn-
able and indcIcasible right To reform, alter or aDOl
such 4 shall be judged most CON-
auciVe 10 the public veal and our fixed, unchanSc-
able conviction is that OF all the modes and forms,
republican government is the only one that comes
up to the standard, and that none is truly rcpublI-
can that is not based upon pcoPle-numbcrs-th
one based upon numbers and wealth combined Is
not republican, and as il places the power IN the
hands OF wealthy minority and a sectional one TO
boot is aristccraCy, and VIC believe our present
government is such, and we know certainly 10 our
sorrow that it is eiectuay secured against mall
administration. understand all this NJ =: We
but know too we'll that if the power exists IN Cr the
constitution, and an act pass the Legislature ho+s-
ever great an abuse OF that power and o! TIE 20 y
dence of the people, that still the law will BE- "a
and binding however great the evils growing out q.
it, 10 such rights, vest, and The courts, can
afford no relief the power existed, although the
Legislature abused its trust ever so unwisciy.-
This has been our misfortune to a great extent in
tire past, we must all know and lament But i'm
nose positive Limitations and Restrictions upon the
power and that cannot be abused which does not
exist, and that shall be done which is prohibited,
The violation can do no harm. Declare that the
Legislature SNAIL nave no power 10 40 Inc lnlO9,
and il in violation of their sacred trust the constu
lion and their oahs they do it, We, the people, will
be safe Tor the act will not then be valid and Oind
ing but vOid and 50 The courts and Judges under the
constitution, and their OaIhS would decide and
the State ant! the people from the consequences
This is the distinction and the difference is vital
and important in the last degree. Hence the pro-
prety, necessity, and suiciency of express imita-
lions and restrictions. These guarantees will be
certain and lasting. These will afford complete and
adequate constitutional security, guard your treas
ury, save it from bankruptcy, preserve the credit
and character of the Stale, prevent burthensome
taxes, protect the slave property and all other ptuP
crty from harm, make safe and perfectly secure
life, liberty and property and every thing We hold
dear. No power on earth can break through these
guarantees they will be parts and the vital parts Of
your constitution, and must last while it lasts, and
perish only when it shall perish. Our judiciary
shall he shield. My interests, feelings, and
sympathies, and my people are with the east. As
have before said am myself, State rights man,
and fyou please, an eastern State right man, and
upon all the subjects of our federal relations stand,
l repeat, upon the resolutions of '9S-99. But my
people and myself for thewhite basis and the jus
nLdJOriS, and we shall not surrender this mother
principle which lies at the foundation of scIEgov-
eminent
have said the west claims political equality, and
demand it as right. AT the same time we tender
that ample guarantees for the protection of the
peculiar rights aud interests of the This
der is voluntarily made: and we even so further,
and agree that another Convention shall not be call
ed for an indefinite time. But gentleman of the
east spurn the offer with contempt-snecr at tender
of aper guarantees, they pleased TO charac-
terize constitutional restrictions. They say the
power is in their hands, and will be retained because
its retention, they insist, is necessary. And they
tell that any attempt at any time to right our
selves and secure this political equality would be
treason against the existing constitution and laws.
But Iwarn gentleman that it may be better settle
this vexed question now, aud anticipate the time
that may when they may not be able 10 hold on
TO The power and getsaie guarantees Justice stm
pie 'justice-we ask no more, and ask this as a
majority of the people in spirit ofconcession with
out threat or tannt Have gentlemen considered, il
is not the time, when the time is come to set
lie the question so as to end it forever. II say
should come Will it be when the Great West has
become strong and powerful with teeming wealth
and overwhelming numbers and comes 10 take the
power Will that be a better time for the east TO
secure these guarantees and safeguards? | have
looked 10 thai lime when the west ma cease to lear