Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-03-30

ton, to Monterey, in II'ghland-yess ~, nays b.
A Senate bill to incorporate the Orkney Springs
Company. in the county at Shenandoah.
Mr.. RuTHERFooRD moved reconsideration OF the
vote by which the SPEAKER decided that the bill con-
corning the James River aud hanswha tAnal was
defeated; whereupon.
On motion Of Mr.. CAprRTos. the House sd
iourned.
From "The South rl-CBy request
ADMISSION OF NEW STATES-CONsTlTu-
TIONAL GUARANTEES.
LETTER No. III.
Tue structures OF the press on my suggested amend
ment to the Federal Constitution, which you politely
sent me days since for perusal, though not call
ing perhaps for special notice, may serve ss an apo
ogy for soma further explanations.
am not disappointed that the suggerlon mas 'ounu
no favor with the party journsls Enlisted Tor the
war; self posted at the head OF conflicting actions'
ac,uaed like themselves by blind passion or deibe,
rate policy, they are continually rounding ~ horrid
symphony the trumpet call to battle. With them,
moderation il criminal neutrslity Bent on bloody
issues. they traDpe dsdsintuily the white nag "se!i
beneath their feet
But not alone by thsss professional sgi'a'ora IL the
reproach deserved OF fumeniing Intestine s'rIfh-
Love Of power the hopes OF ambition the frenzy ~
fansioism resentment, reused by Injustice aud out
rage, cobspirs 10 swell The tumult All theso ee'
merits OF mischief tend to the same calamltouS end
dlsunioni-al may be traced to the same sourcee--
the sSnsl'lv6 temperament OF tD6 nHtlVtS VI iHr
Northern States; thsir disregard OF moral and poii
cal obligations, evincsd by ncessant interference with
the institutions aud rights OF the South, and enoour
sged and aided by the upruly temper OF their multi
form foreign population.
The Union, 10 its great peril, as experience has
proved, embraces independent States distinguished
by differing systems OF internal polity. The priv
lege Of each TO shape ts domestic institutions
uncontested-t s cons.crated by the compact OF
Union. At the date OF that compact, negro slavery
THAT hideous bugbear which so shocks the Northern
escendanis Of s old patrons and promOters existed
in all the States North and South except Mnssachu
eetts Sfrangs to say In none but that waa II entirely
extinct az late as the census OF $780, in any but
two as late AZ that of 1910. In Virginia II has pre-
vailed for nearly two centuries and halt Deemed
no impeachment to the Uolon, it could not afterwards
justly BIZ regarded as preteIt for offence Yet the
Northern States ence they ceased TO have an INTEREST
in maintaining II, nave mat II with unceaslng Insult
and reproach, and acts nf meddlesoms and lawlesa
intrusion. Ii il they who are the oggreasors. IL rs
by Their handa the line of demarcation between us
ard them, has been daily drawn deeper and broader,
until at last We etand towards each other in An atti'
tude of avowed hostility and defiance. Shonld me
end be s,para,ion "attended as we are told must
be-, with al the horrOre of civil war; on heT beads
rect the shame and the ain.
The artclee to which You have pointed my atten-
ton 10 the Charleston News and the New York
Times have called forth these Reflections Opposed
political sentiment and ultimate views fha Journals
While thEy aRrce Win me IDdt tIl6 eOt
pr. santed TO the Southern States, IL su6mIss'on 10
!rorthsra supremacy or sfpdrdt!oA yet coincide IN
asserting what have endeavored to disprove, that
there can be psnceable secession. The News thus
conclude. brief notice ot my leiter7:
but We have no conception that the Union can he
preaerved by any sahsne that implies conferences, mu
fua concession and forbesrance. The TINE ~ passed
70, th0t 'ceH as TOR Peac'"bI' "pnrot'oH The
Union. it seems highly probable, ~W be rnptnred ny
polcace. The late emeute in the House ID only one OF
~ air liar nf
that point tn the result. They foreshadow disu
Mon We agree In this particular with the Editor OF
the Richmond South, that the recent Congressional
outbreak is significant Of foreaone conclusion
Such il the disheartlning prospect held out by two
prominent Journals Of the South In similar strain
the New York Times" paper of extensive circn
son, and speaking the sentiments. II Ia eaid OF the
most powerful faction Of the North, utterly deriies
the idea Of any pacific adjustment. After treating
tbs proposition OF amending the Constitution az chi
merical the Times goes on to tell that those
Southern quite right who hold that the only
alternative open 10 the s'avehoding States is sUB
MISSION to the substantial SUPREMACY Of the Frse
States or SEC EssIos:" and ads. by way OF warning.
"a peaceful secession ia IAPossIBLL" DtLendd est
Carthago. North and South the cry IL, the Union
must be- Observation-Disclosures in blood. United or
separated the idea il incucaed in tone OF apparent
exulfation, az though it were contamination de
youty 10 BIZ Wished, there shall b1 no ppars. Let us
hope the with ia not the father TO the thought. but
that the opinion owes its birth 10 al un ust suspicon
Of The good ssnse aud integrity of the people.
The proposed amendment Of the Federal Constitn.
ton the Times" considsrs as Of no importance ~
connection 0ih The practical poiiics Of The day sure
" this is not The OF acts at least sought to be
conplshed- the security OF distinct geographical d.
visions of the United States aranst mutual encroach
meni, especially the security of the weaker in poiti
cal power aganst the strongsr--ths restoration Of
harmony--the prps1rvat"n and ptrpetuity OF the
Union--none deny are Ut trarsoendent imp"r-
lance not to Us only and our pOssrty, but To the
cause of free institutions throughout The world.
But the idea Of amending the Constitution is aad to
be "an impracticable theoretical speculation TheO
reical il certainly is The objection however, though
literally irus is of force for IA truly would have
applied TO the Constitution itself when adopted az
truly indeed, to every scheme Of human polty ever
devised.
"rhe amendment of the Federal Consu in any
important reapect-in any particular involving oHdi
interests touching the connections OF any cOnsdera
Bile portion of tbs people," the inns pronOunces
specifically impossible" Now, an amendment invoI
wing vital intsrests-provded it bs for the security OF
such interests touching the convictions Of any
considerable portion Of the people-provided it coin
eide with such convictons--one would think would
be both practical aud popular. The amendment Dr..
sired may, il ia hoped secure the pRai interests OF
very considerable portion Of the Unlon-l5 out OF the
thirty one which compose II without 10 any manner
imparing the true interests or rights Of any other
w hat the c0npictions-the honest convictions. 0f tie
peopis may be, in reference to proposition never
probably ss yet considered by them can be all.
thorized TO pronounce.
The Constitution Of the United States. admirably
AZ it ia in the main adapted TO accomplish the grand
and benefcent purposes for which II wac designed
without disparagement be it raid, ia not perfect No
work OF mortal man; ever was. 10 view OF ths, lie
trainers sought TO provide for such amendments az
experience the everchanging condition of all SUBJ
lunary things, might show 10 be- necessary or expei:
emf. The task was Of ne ordinary difficulty. On one
eide waa the danger OF instability from too great
facility of thangs; on the other, that OF making ali
reformation hopeless by undue restrictions. II the
opinion now seemingly prevalent be we'll founded,
they have, by over stringent RESTRICTIONS made the
provision for amendmsnt nugaory and, far from se.
curing the stability OF the Constitution, have rendered
its downfall, inevitable. IL is absurd, va are told,
to erpsct The uadnimjty required by the Constitution
ION any question Of party sectional feeling Not
so thought the virtuous sases who framed II. In
truth, az already said. numerous vital amendments
have been made since its adoption To say that none
can bs expected now questions Of party action
al feeling IL to say, indeed, that all amendment il
hopeless in reference to the very evils which most
aure TO be redre'sed Party sectionsl feeling un
restrained, may prompt to acts Of injustice and op.
precision leading 10 violent sectional resistance and
disupion Why is it asserted that no amendment de-.
signed and calculated TO avert these evils,
be hoped from an intelligent people having full power
to make it. and whose destiny Of veal or woe 10 in
Yolved in lite succes or fsilurs?
No there lie no impossblity. II every amend
ment, however judicious and Indispensable 10 to be
rejected, it will be- owing TO want Of the w-to fac
tious wickedness or foly-and not tn want Of power
The difficulty arsing from the required concurrence
Of large proportion of Congress or Of the States is
by no means slight one. Two thirds OF the or
the other mu-t concur n rroposng an amendment,
and three fourths 10 its ratification Yet much OF this
difficulty 60 dscoursging at the arst view, will
ish when examined 10 reference 10 any given amend
ment conceded or shown to be just and necessary.-
The danger Of disunion. the certainty, even il the
Union continue Of enduring apimosits. are universal
ly admitted, and deeply deplored BY every sincere
and patriotic heart. suppose proposition then from
one or more Of the States TO the chief cause
Of the evil, by an amendment Of the Constitution,
strictly defensive and conservative: giving for exam
pie, to The two great sections Of the Union each
qualified veto, by simply declaring that no Law shs
be ps.ssd without the assent Of one half etbird
any other more reasonable proportion Of Senators re-