Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1859-04-05

1.-The enemies of Republican institutions
sternly resisted the establishment of our pres
ent form of government, and predicted rum
and disaster as the result. y Union and Amer
ican.
Upon the question of accepting and adopt
ing "our present form of government" or
what is the same thing, of ratifying or reject
ing the Federal Constitution. the people of
the United States were for the first time divi-
ded into two definite and well-marked parties.
The friends of the new Constitution assumed
for themselves the title of Federalists, and be-
slowed upon the opponents of the Constitu-
ton the name of anti- FederaLias.
The anti-Federalists were very strong in
Massachusetts, Virginia, New York and Penn
sylvania, in so much that it was doubtful
whether there was a clear majority in those
States heartily in favor of supporting the new
government 1t was the same case in New
Hampshire and South Carolina. Georgia was
by no means certain. 1t was only in Con-
necticut, Delaware, New Jersey and Mary
land, all of which, in the Convention. had
supported at first. the State-Rghts view, and
had opposed the formation of a national gov
ernment, that the Constitution, Immediately
after its adoption. seemed certain of support
No disposition, however, was anywhere
evnced to resist the will of the majority as
declared in legal form. In all the ratitying
States the anti-Federalists expressed their
readiness to aid, in good faith, in putting the
new system in operation. But they insisted
on the absolute necessity of immediate
amendments, which had. indeed, been recon-
mended by four out of ten, or rather five out
of eleven, ratifyiug conventions.
These amendments were numerous, but 1t
is noteworthy that not one Of them pro
posed to interfere with the great cOmpro-
misses on which the whole system was based,
the equal vote in the Senate, or the rule of
apportionment for members of the House
Nobody proposed to alter the general distri-
button of powers as arranged in the Constitu
ton. unless the proposal Of a special council
to perform the executive functions of the Sem
ate might be viewed in that light. II was
not even proposed to curtai the appointing
power. the veto, or the extensive authority
vested in the President, nor seriously TO limit
the powers OF Congress or the jurisdiction of
the Federal Courts. The proposed amend
ments were of this sort: first. general restric-
tons on the legislative and judicial authority.
In favor of natural justice and the personal
rights of the Individual: and secondly. partic-
ular restrictions as 10 some matters OF pecu-
liar local interest, such as the prohibition to
levy direct taxes, and the two-thirds vote for
borrowing money, declaring war, raiifying
commercial treaties, and maintaining stand
ing armies. 1t may hence be concluded and
this is "A matter of great importance toward
correct understanding of the subsequent his
tory of the United States. that no question of
fundamental principle as TO the theory of
government was really in debate between the
Federalists and the anti-Federalists, and that
she different views they took of the new Con-
titution grew much more out Of differences
Df position aud local and personal Interest,
than out of any differences of opinion as To
what ought to be the ends and functions of
government or the methods OF it, administra-
ton.
The Federallsts. anxious to accomplish GER
tain great objccts--to consotldate tne Union,
to uphold the public credit, to aid and en-
courage the national commerce, navigation
and manufactures, To prevent paper issues,
and 20 enforce the obligation of contracts
were chiefly intent upon securing a goyern-
ment capable ct accomplishing these objects;
and, they appeared, therefore, al the thea
present moment. as the special advocates Of
power and authority.
The anti Federaiists. on the other hand,
alarmed at the idea If national taxes, fearful
less the interests Of agriculture might be
sacrificed TO the protection Of eommeres and
manufactures; not over anxious for the pay
ment of the public debts. and more concern
"a for the interests Of debtors than creditors,
looked with alarm upon the extensive pow
srs sestsd In the national government. aud
soaght, by particular restrictions 10 hamper
it, authority
This yiew OF The subject Is confirmed hy
Mr.. Madison, who. ia . letter 10 Nj. Ieiisr-