New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-03-15
STATESMAN,

,yRoMA STAFF CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRiBuNE.l
Frankfort Ky. Feb. GO" Much Of the State
Constitution Of 1892" said a member OF thc
present Consttut onal Convention, in recent de-
bate came from the great mind OF that true
marriott and great statesman. the Hon. George
Nicholas whose superior Kentucky never knew.
This OpiniOn Of NichOlas's ability was shared by
President James Madison, who wrote 70 Hehcrh
Washington in li55 that Colonel Nicholas was
among the best judges of the outcome OF the con-
vention then framing a Federal Constitution
Nicholas before his removal into Kentucky, III
which State he afterward attained judicial
cmnence, wrote fully 10 Madison discussing the
prospects of the country under the new "ONerh-
inent In the following letters Madison sets
forth with painstaking clearnesS the COM
parative merits of the Confederation ana
the Constitution He explains the increased safe
guards thrown around the treaty-making power.
contrasts the powers of Congress under the ola
and the new regime, and predicts an erect Oh
the settlement Of Kentucky and ONO that was
more than realized. In speaking OF the PROPOSE
ton to separate Kentucky from Virginia, then oe-
fore the Congress in Newly York, lie evlnccs sharp
appreciation of the mischief wrought by those
who were seeking to prejudice the western states
by hints at a possible surrender to Spain OF the
Mississippi highway. lie also gives his own rea-
son for not seeking to enter the Virginia Assem-
which the present Government rests escaped de-
sstruction in the convention
These letters are of unique interest TO the STU
dent of early political history. They have never
been printed though reference is made TO the cor
tespondence in the published Madison papers
The originals in the possession OF Coionel H.
Durrett, of Louisville. T. L.
Orange, s April 17os.
Dear Sir - - ,,, noraod
N nue. ast evening The sentiments contained
in 1t appear to 10 be dictated by the most PEREZ
proprey both as they IcgSII tc NV bc i, rende
eXpedient. As wish not 10 decline any coOPe.atV"
nnon i shall cHeeriully execute the task you suggest
of urging on gentlemen in Maryland ana S0nth Nar2
as " Hampshire has set. hope you viii not oiilt
tie same pFecauOn a 10 Maryland at iea,t. h nv
that the Opposition there deSparng of success III
direct attack the Constitution. mean 10 coeu dHl
postponement OF the question, 1t Is eAi Ire nE
rested TO the opposition IN > Carolina. VIII Wiz
10 several gentlemen in Kentucky also with we" To-
counteract efforts which understand are on fool' loi
turning their jealousy the subject OF the slpp
against the proposed change in the Fece'a system IL
is obvious TO me that the obstacles to NacIlhoe Of '
important object Will be increased at the saue tio
that the pretexts for will be removed by an estab
Ishment Of the new Government; and that this event
alone promise in any short time Such art'g i
with spain as Kentucky must wish for. NO tedeI.u
Government will in my opinion, be able very los 70
procras tnate an efectual assertion OF the lst az.
onght therefore to be whether the present or the pro
posed system be most likely TO Obtain d Po1i1|o 1919 a
speedy recognition OF H. From lhe pit Tern A. h"eve
possibly have ANYTHING to hope 9e ne u GJ th1
She has anything TO iesr n0n VIII On 10 tbS Subject
hone indeed that you have already done So -FOUR
kl0Wm PttPpptiop that no other could expect. The
necessity or least the nature OF an auuIess 70 e
9y he best iudscd of after views Of the adverse
party are brot forward in the convention, anu w.
event reduced certainty. And should 9uppose ar
preparation of it may be brought within Tie compass
I think entirely with you on the subject of amend
mcnts. The plan of MasstS IS unqus tonaDH 1T 1
matum of the Fedcrasts Consutgmoh any aT"ue T
delay only of such experiments Is 100 serious 70 Dc
SsIr,eS II is faci of which you, though probably
n"t rreat number may be apprzed that The late
convention in one stage OF tnc DnsI,o5 10. m
r@l Gs' iss %ies to their GeberaoR There
moments during this period at whch SesPLt e Soyiu
cess to nothing but temper with which The membr
assembled, and their Ignorance OF the opnlons anu
stitnents The circumstances under which second
convention composed even OF wiser lndlVdnais "ouu
Of accommodation; and if 1t should happen to contain
game would be as easy it would be obvious 10 III
1 2H RSei in p oe Of the e" & Should happen
otherwise and another plan be agreed on II mus 10"
the different states among the advocates for amend
ments that the opponents in this State VINO are aaccu
government for IT, would be dissatisfied with the
result of the second than of the frNt experiment.
have IN, NO great apprehensons of his falling into the
scheme Of preliminary alterations: had some some dgys
ago an opportunity Of cOnvcrSng pretty fully viii!
his colleague and particular friend Col Taylor, ana
Of stating attn sc Sen ac Sbon T convene Occasion otter
] may take the liberty OF repeating them Ia the cha
celor. When write to our friend in Richmond
shall feel no restraint from giving rim similar inma
tiOns If report be not more than usually incorrect
as TO the conduct and language Of COl. Mason, he
has totally abandoned his moderation on this subject
and is pursuing his object by means when VIII nelthe
10 the success Of his cause. The manner IN which
you account for his intempeTance IS fancy the true
one.
had come to no dcc-i9 il, when left ~
fork On the pFIp1St" , dav oniy on tbe foor and
were then engaged on the subject. waited a. long
but Was not gratifed; and earn 10y sHnseqAehl IN
formation that the approximation soon f'l to seven
states which had suspended the consideration Of The
subject Inc opp9siuOh 10 uie Hta,re ia oI , i,t
shown Itself when came away IL WIZ pioceescHen'
and from the defect of power under the eNi,ung
Confederation. There are individuals who viii tho"
sane time. And others, / suspect, who will DO the
same with the view OF irritating Kentucky into
the influence which the temper Of Kentucky might have
ON the cvent IN III, state wa aHAl2u. iiat '1n'
garng scrupcS which otherwise cOald not De denied
TO have weight ieSp so9e"aii tnat IF: bIo% ,G
may expose him T. impressions from the d!h,uIueN
present coDuncture of things This. however. j, but
conjecture His Judgment, have reason to believe
the general interest Of America; nor do know that
he views it in different relation to that Of Ken
tacly in particular. ! know only that pains were
taken with him on his way % Congress. II not also
before SET ont. alarm his fears for the Msspi
and prepare him for unfavoTable Impressions. will
think Of the hint you throw out and will endeavOr 70
give ii effect ii can devise any convenient means
Of
1t is not In my power to occupy The last Of your
suggestions. | have made declarations which do |
not now admit of my being candidate for tho As
sembly. If have not mistaken the Inv. member |
Of Congr. Is ineligible to seat there, and do
not know that ! could resign that character to any
existing authority. But independently Of these con
sideratons. l led to suppose that advocates for
the requisite measures for setting the machine nj
work may be needed much in Congress In this |
State. DO not understand that opposition will !
De made here 70 Mr. Gordon and Mr.. Burnley. both !
OF whom declared and the former proved Fed !
crast. The publication OF which YOU wish "A number !
~ nnDlnG "a nl IL IAlnf. lIn l.