The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-12-19
VIII.

come Of the feeling leading to tho Hartford Con-
vention within the ensuing six months, had not
Now England been put to shame by two un.
expected events. We refer, Of course, to
Jackson's victory at New Orleans and to the
diplomatic triumph achieved by tho,American-
Commissioners at Client, where the Representa-
tivos of England gradually withdrew, all OF
their original demands. England's original pro-
posals, which the members Of the Hartford
Convention and other New England Federal.
lists had declared to be "just and liberal
were that the United States should yield almost
all Of the Northwest. including Michigan, Wis.
consin. Illinois, a large part OF Indiana and
one.third Of Ohio. which territories were to
constitute n perpetual barrier between Canada
and the United States; we were also called upon
to rencunce our right to keep armed vessels on
the lakes. or military force upon the shores
thereof. And, further. wo were required to re-
linquish q considerable portion OF Maine. Little
by little the English Commissioner gave way,
until nothing was left of their demands but a
claim on The part of England for a FREQ use OF
the Mississippi. and an equivalent for fishing OF
Newfoundland. Even these requirements were
withdrawn In tho end
Under the circumstances, It was fortunate for
the members of the Hartford Convention that
they had among them some men Of caution.
Cabot, who was made presiding officer. said to a
young delegate. I'VE are going to keep you
young hotheads from getting into mischief"
1t Is certain that any overt act OF. treason would
have met with instant resistance. and that civil
war would have broken out In Massachusetts
and Connecticut. Tho largo majority against
tho Madison Administration did not mean
that an equally large majority would sus.
tain disunion. Willing to wound, and vet
afraid to strike, the Hartford Conyen.
ton ultimately reported that "if the Union
be destined to dissolution. some new form
OF confederacy should be substituted among
those States which shall intend to maintain a
Federal relation to zach other" And again:
THAT acts of Congress in violation of the Con-
s%titution are absolutely void 10 undeniable."
This notification principle, however. tho con.
vention proceeded to modify as follows: at
does not. however. consist with the respect and
forbearance due from q Confederate State to-
ward the general Government to fly to open
resistance upon every infrAction OF the Consti.
tuition" Amendments to tho Constitution.
seven in number. were proposed. and three de-
mands were to be submitted to Congress. II tho
demands should not be granted. 1t was ire
solved that 1t will DO expedient for tho Legisla-
lures OF the several States to appoint delegates
10 another convention. TO meet at Boston, with
such powers and instructions as tho exigoncies
of n crisis 40 momentous may require" What
this meant 10 obvious. 1t was notification, fol-
lowed by a throat of secession.
1t is well known that tho demands of the Hart
ford Convention wore never presented to Con.
gross. When the delegates of that convention
arrived in Washington they found a complete
change In the situation. Not one of their as
sumptions had proved well founded. New Or
leans had not been taken, and the English people
had backed down completely. Peace had been
declared, although every one of the British do
mands had been rejected. md notwithstanding
these demands had boon pronounced Just by votes
at the New England elections and by resolutions
atNow England conventions. In the face of such
evcnts tho delegates could only have incurred
ridicule by ~obeying their Instructions, and
they quietly went homo. The men who had
nearly led their State into reasonable conduct
were never again heard from, and, for some
time. Massachusetts was so discredited that she
scarcely ventured to express a complaint OF the
said: Every complaint by her press was an.
swered by the ironicA, advice that she should call
another Hartford Convention"
For burr's attempt TO cleave on tho Southwest,
and for South Carolina's nul'ihcation of a Fed.
aral statute. We must refer the reader to the book
itself. where. also. he will find some eighty pages
devoted to the movement which eliminated in
tho secession OF tho Confederate States. or
interest also. Is a concluding chapter in
which are indicated some Ut tho dangers TO
tho permanoncy OF the republic. We should
note. b 'wever. that We cannot accept the au.
thor's view OF the Income Tax. nor do wo share
his apparent desire TO minimize the powers
OF the United States Supreme Court. We are
glad 70 record on the other hand. that he does