The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-01-19

10 assent to such q modification OF the
Articles as would assure greater power
TO the Federal Government. 1t Ia the
papers revealing Madison's views OF this
subject to which the reader Of these vol
umes will naturally turn with especial
curiosity. In a letter to James Monroe
dated Jan. "a, I7se. Madison mentions the
appointment by Virginia OF commission
ers TO meet commiss toner's from other
States mt Annapolis to discuss commercial
regulations. Tho ~expedient,' he writes,
is no doubt liable TO objections. and will
probably miscarry. I think, however.
It Is better than nothing. and as q rec
ommendation OF additional powers to
Congress is within the purview OF the
commission. II may possibly lead to better
consequences thai at first occurred
In a subsequent letter to Monroe dated
March 10 Of the same year we read; you
say that the question Of policy is whether
II will be better to correct the vices OF the
Confederation by recommendation Ion tho
part OF Congressl gradually as It moves
along or by a convention, If the latter should
be determined on the power Of the Virginia
Commission are inadequate. II all on
whom the correction OF these vices depends
z ~ Y luio ittt anu q 'iNBt'"t
the mode would be Of little moment But
as we have both ignorance and iniquity
TO combat. we must defeat the designs
Of the latter by humoring the prejudlces
Of the former. The efforts for bringing
about a correction through the medium
OF Congress have miscarried. Let a Con-
v~ention, then. be tried, II It succeeds
in tho first instance, II can be repeated as
~ E--. Al -..L1l-
attention, and as the public mind becomes
prepared for further remedies. The Assem-
bly, here would refer nothing To Congress.
They would have revolted equally against
a plenipotentiary commission to their
deputies for the convention. The option.
therefore, lay between doing what was
done md doing nothing, Whether a right
choice was made time only can prove. I
am not In general an advocate for temporz-
ing or partial remedies. But a rigor In this
respect, II pushed too far. may hazard
everything. II the present paroxysm OF
our affairs be totally neglected our cause
may become desperate. If anything comes
Of the Convention, il will probably be Of a
permanent, not n temporary nature, which.
/ think, will be a great point
On March 10 Of the year named Monroe
communicated to Madison the fact that
New Jersey, having lately taken into con-
sideration the late requisition for money
made by Congress, the house of delegates
resolved that having entered into ths
Confederation upon terms highly dis
advantageous TO that State from the nee
essity Of public affairs al the tiino. and a
confidence that those points in which they
were agreed would be reInedied. and find
ing that his was not the case. and a COM
pact founded in such unequal principles
likely by their acquiescence TO be fettered
on them. they would not, therefore. comply
with the same until their grievances were
redressed." Madison recognized that the
incident was q grave one. Under date
Of April 0. 1850. he writes to Monroe as
follows: THE step taken by New Jersey
Was certainly a rash one. m will furnish
fresh prcte1ts TO unwilling States for with
holding their contributions. In one point OF
view, however. II furnishes a s~alutary lesson.
Is IL possible with such an example before
our eyes OF impotency In the fed
eral system. 20 remain sosptical with
regard 10 the necessity Of infusing more
energy into it7 A Government cannot
long stand which Il obliged In ordinary
course OF Us administration 10 court a
compliance with It's CoRs'it utiondI acts
from a member not Of tho most powerful
order. sit uatsd within the immediate
verge OF authority. and apprised OF every
circumstance which shoUld remonstrate
against disobedience. The question
whether Il he possible and worth while 70
preserve the Union OF the States must be
speedily decided some way or other. Those
who are indifferent 20 tie Preservation
would do well 70 look forN ard 90 the con-
sequences Of is extinction. The prospect
10 my eye IL a gloomy one indeed
Ia a letter u Jefferson, penned on Aug
~ Of the same wear Madison mentions that
tho States which had appointed deputies to
the Federal Convention at Annapolis.
we're New Hampshire. Massachusetts,,
Rhode Island, New Yorb. New Jersey,
Pennsylvania, Delaware and Virginia He
goes on 20 say that Connecticut declined,
not from a dlsliks 10 the object lthe general
regulation " oOmmeroel but 60 tho idea ~ a
convention ~htoh. II seems. has been ren-
dered obnoriouA by ems internal Con
vontions, which embarrasssd the iaglslA
tive Authority Maryland, OF fathsr her
senate, nssati,sd a. appointment ID com
mi-solsfsl because thoy supposed tho
moAsuIs might interfere viii the plans OF
~pfefosauys- Il doAsru- (which itself SAs
iuooi4ns a federal cYnssniiou fof larger
puIo-us North taFuiiHa has had 40
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