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wt-IQLE NO. 413 NORWALK, Com. TUESDAY, MARCH 28, time. — VOL. IX.‘ N0. 5.
.__._ X
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1’UBI’.lSIIED as
S. W. BENEDICT.
, -pEn_,ti.c,___’1‘.tvo Dollars_per arinum, payable
Mail subscribers in advance.
.-\nv'=.tt'risi:ut-:.‘i't's, less than a square, 75
iitits; 21 .sUUi}.l'(‘3, :31 00, for three insertions.
, .
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NORWALK PACKETS.
5-. _ I I n
‘, in; Norwalk Line of Packets will per-
,. form two trips each week until further
itotice, a vessel leaving Norwallt and New-
Yorlt every Tuesday and Saturday-‘
‘ Horas 8:. Co.
I
, Norwalk, Feb. 27, 1826.
FOR CATSKILL AND ALBANY.
HE new Sloop GANGES,
Daniel K. Nash, master,
. sails for Catskill and Albanv di-
_» .. 7." rent on or about the Ist of April.
For tretgiit or passage apply to the master, or
at the store of STREET 33 JAMES-
’ ii’Iat'(:h, 13, 189.6. 3
REGULAR PACKET;
Between Five Mile River and .N'ew York.
HE subscriber informs his
oltl ciistoriiersand the pub
lie that the Sloop ATLANTIC,
‘Capt. Byxbee, will run the en-
suing ...-asuii from the new Store. and VVh_arf
neaftlie Bridge, at Five Mile River. l€‘1V‘“.2
eyery Tuesday evening, and returning on the
Saturday following. Every acconiuiodation
will be given to passengers and freighters,aiid
allbusiiiess faithftillyatiended to. Apply to
jhe Captain on board, or to ilie subscriber
ANDREW BELL.
G N.B. She will make her first trip on the 1st
Tuesday in April next. ,
Norwalk, Five Mile River,
February 9.0, 1828. Eltti”’ 52
PUBLIC ACCO.\’lMODA'I‘ION.
. . .-Cg, I-IE elegant Steatn-
= 5: I: BoatJOH.V'MflR-
~ SH./QLL, ABRAHAM
Benson, Master, com
m..,,.,, .i he, ,-.=g..t,,. trips fortlie season, ‘on
the um in5t_ leaving New York, at Catharine
st. Ferry, every Tuesday. Wedne-“lays Thurs‘
~dav, antl Friday niornings, at 7 o’cloC_l<» arid
ret-tirn the same days, leaving Old Well, at
Nortvallt. at 2 o’clock, P. M.; 3l3° le3Vl"“»‘§ N-
York Saturday morning and return on Mon-
day from Old Well, at I o’clocl:, M. touch-
ibg going and returning, at W l'l|lBSI0llf‘- and
-Sawpits, every trip. Post coaches and stages
will be in readiness to convey passengers to
any place. For freight or passage. 3l‘Pl.V '0
M,-_ No“; J].j1V[TT, No 808 Front street N.
York; CHICHESTER 8: QutN't‘ARD.1_‘7m"V-Mk»
or the captain, on board. Freight will be re-
ceived at the usual prices, payable on or be-
fore the delivery.
Mr. Samuel G. Fairchild will convey P35‘
srtigers to and frotn the boat from Saugatuck
and Ftiirfield.
N. B.——-Passage to Wliitestone 37 1-8.’. cts.
Saw-pits 50, and Norwalk 31- 3
Silver Ware, Jewelry, &-c.
n " "HEsubscriberlias
lately returned
from New York with
air addition to his
former stock. He
considers an entitiie-
ration of his articles
.. u'nnecessary—-assur-
" * -”‘- ing his friends, and
the public generally, that a call at No. 1 cati
not fail ofgiving them satisfaction as to qual-
ity andprices. A few good English 33 French
'Watches. Watches and Clocks repaired as
usual. CASH paitl for old Gold and Silver.
N. B. His articles are ofthe very best kind
and of the neatest patterns.
- DAVID N.isrt.
Satigattick, December 17, 18°25. 43
FREDERICK’ REED,
WATCII MAKER 3-I. SILVER SMITH.
I_IASjUst received
from N. York
a splendid assort-
ment of GOODS
in his line, viz :-
SILVER ENGLISH
AND FRENCH
.._, . WATCHES
Gold Watcli Seals, Keys, Slides and Rings
‘BREAST PINS, and Finger Rings, of a
very fine quality
Gilt Watch Seals, Keys, Slides, and Rings
Steel Chains, Seals, Keys ; &u:. I
An assortment of SILVER SPOONS
will constantly be kept on hand of the very
;best kind and tieatest patterns, warranted e-
‘qua! to Spanish milled dollars.
WATCHES carefully repaired and war-
‘-ranted.
Norwalk, November 0, 1825.
VALUABLE POTTERY, &'.c.
- 130R SALE, on reasonable
terms, that valuable $1. pleas-
ant sttuatioii known by the mime
. . of “ The Village” lying about a
mile fr.nn the Old Well, in Norwalk, ti large
Pottery, two Kilns for btiriiiiig ‘lVnre, 3 303,1
8,0,4: and Burn, with other buildings, a good
VVliarf, and 20 acres of Land. For further
particulars inquire of BENJAMIN ISAAC3,
, Norwalk, April I6. I825 7
FOR SALE on TO LET,
A
EX‘
../
o
in North Stamford Society
- ing 23 acres, consisting of plow,
l'llt‘:l(It)W, pasture, and wood latid, with a good
Hiiiise, Barn and Shop tliereori,iind an Orch-
SMALL FARM situated '
near the .\'leetiiig-liouse,contaiu- *
rird sufficient for niaking 1°}. or I4 barrels off
uiuer ycarl_v.~ The place will be sold low, an
indispiital.-ie title given, and payment made,
i':.Ai.":z')'i~:I:' Hoit'r.
eiisy. ,
4'9 t‘A
,‘.':',t_atr_if0ttl, Jjlnf. I'9jrI
. P
, dec’d, to exhibit their claims for settlement.
....:I
F O R S A L E
VA LUABLE tract ofL_and,
containing 9 3-4 acres, con-
. Orchard, all of the first quality.
Said property is situated in Wilton. adjoining
the Belden Hillroad. and is an eligible sitiia-
tion for a Dwelling House, at... considered a
conveiiieiit situation for a mechanic. The
property was formerly occupied and owned
by Peter Jauncs. deceased, it being his houie
meadow, and orchard. For further particu-
lars and conditions, apply to Barnabas Mar-
viii, Esqr. or to the subscriber, at Nathan
Nash’s. DANIEL NASH.
Norwalk, Allflllsi E13. 1395. 9.7 if
‘ FOR SALE, ~
A FARM of about 06 acres of
Land, with a new Dwelling
House and Barn, and a well of
, .. never failing water near the
duo». Said Farm is well proportioned for
meadow, plow, and wood land, pleasantly sit-
uated two and a lialfmiles north ofthe meet-
ing house in New Canaan, on the post road
from Ridgfield to Stamford. For particulars
inquire ofthe subscriber on the premises.
Josiiru Frrcit. Jr.
Ni’-‘V Came". January I6, l8Q6._ 48 tf
OR SALE—A FARM of
about 55 Acres, with a new
Dwelling House and a good
Bar"; With a good well ofwater
near the door. Said Farm has a stream of
water running through it. Said Farm has a
large proportion of meadow land, with plow
and wood, lying three miles northeast ofthe
meeting liotise in New Canaan, on the main
road from said New Canaan to VVilton. Also
another track oflatid, 67 acres, lying ata place
called Cheese Spring Ridge, plow and wood
land. Said Fartn will be sold together, or
separate, a-s will best the purchasers. For
further particulars, inquire ofthe subscriber,
living on said premises.
FREDERICK Rrcruinns.
New Canaan, Feb. 14, iscc. 56;
FOR SALE,
small FARM. containing ti-
bout I9 zicres of Land, well
proportioned into plow, pasture,
. meadow, anti wood land, with
an Ortztiartl ofgrafted Apple trees, and a va-
riety ofoiher choice Fruit and Ornamental
Trees. On said farm is a large and coniiiio-
dioiis dwelling house, to whit-.h is iittziclied an
excellent Garden ; a convenient Barn, and
other out buildings. Said property is pleas-
antly sitiiatetl iii the eastern part of Darien,
on the old post road from New York to New
Haven, and one mile frotii Five Mile River
Landing. For conditions, and further par-
ticulars apply to Roswell Reed, near the pre-
mises, or to the subscriber, at Selleck’s farms,
in Darien. Krnaottx SELL}-ICK.
Darien, Feb. 23, I826. I 6W
FOR SALE
711 HAT stantl for business sitti-
iite in the town of South.
East, Putnam county, N. York,
eight miles from Danbury, on a
public i-oritt leading to Somerstoivmconsisting
of about 3 acres of Land, on which is a Grist
Mill, Saw Mill, Cartliiig Mtichiiie, still house,
stills and tubs to hold Cider, cider Mill, a
Wagon maker’s shop, with water works for
sawing, turning, boring, and inortisiiig. Al-
so, 3 Dwelling Houses, one ofwliicli has been
used as a store, being an excellent stand for a
country store: also about IG acres of Wood
Land, near said stand. , Most ofthe mills and
buildings are almost new, and in good repair.
The above property will be sold together, or
separate, as best shall suit purch:is't,=rs, very
cheap. If not sold at private sale by "the 16th
day ofMay next, it will then be sold at public
auction. on the premises, at 1 0,(Yl0CkOr}fliIl _
day. For further particulars inqiiire.:,ofWIr.-
LIAM L‘. H.nvr.i=:Y, living on the premises; or
of .loiv.x'rtiii.\' Moniiuousit, living at the
Court,house in Carmel, in said coiiuty.
February 54, I896. tll‘v’Iay 1
HF. subscriber wishes to dis-
pose of his F.-‘XRM, situate
in the town ol8outheast, county
. . of Putnam and state of N.Yurk,
coiitaiiig one hundred and thirty acres oigood
Pasture, arable, tneadow, and wood LAND,
Dwelling House, Barn, and out houses, and
never failing well of water near the house, to-
gether with a fitie sireaui ofwater running
through the premises. The above land is in
a high state of cultivation, and will be dispot
sed of at a low rate. Any person wishing to
avail himself of a good situation, will be ac-
Ct)l'nn‘lOflalt‘fl by applying at any time between
this and the firstof May next, to the subscri-
ber, who will give an intlisputable title forthe
same. Issac Parmocrr.
Southeast, Feb. 521, 18216.
VENDUE.
0 be Sold at Public Ven-
due on Tliursday, the 30th
:tistaiit March, at 1o’clock, P.
" . M. on the premises, a valuable
F.'tl‘tli, situated in the flourishing village of
Long Ridge, in Stamford, containing about
sixty acres, with a Dwelling house and Barn
standing thereon, with plenty offruit trees of
various kinds, a never failing well of water
within twenty feet of the door, and a small
stream of water running duo’ the satiie which
has not been dry in tiny years, making it a
convenient place for a tannery. Any person
desiring to purchase good latid will,by attend-
ing, have an opportunity. The Farm can
conveniently be divided so as to suit purcha-
sers, as there is two Apple Orchards on the
premises. Conditions made known at the
time and place ofsale. HENRY Han‘.
March 20, 1826. - 4
IIE Court of Probate for the district of
Stamford, hath limited and allowed six
months front this date for the creditors of the
estate of i‘IIAn'rnA Bnowu, late of Statnford,
Tliusc who neglect to present them witliin
said time will be debarrt-d a recovery.
I‘¥LNJ’A'MtN Wmi.rNe. {
, I 3'.
2:'1'c1='iii:N B. l’iiovos'r.§ Adm '5'
sisting of Meadow, Flow, and _
Stzfmford, M'.t-'rctr 7, ram. 3_
\
SPEECH OF MR INGERSOLL. qfCon.
on the Resolution qf.l1r. M’Du_fli‘e to amend
the Conslilutioii.
Mn. INGERSOLL comnienved by observing
that he rose with reluctance, as he knew the
patience of the comtiiittee was-already nearly,
ifnot quite exliaiisteil, anti he could not expect
to hold their attention, after the bright and
brilliant displays which they had so lately iii..-
nessed from the honourable gentleman froiii
Virginia, who had j|lSl1'€SllmC(I his seat. On
the ordinary subjects oflegislation, (continued
Mr. Ingersoll,) I am well satisfietl to give a
silent vote. But on the present occasion,
standing here, as I do, the representative, in
part, ofone ofthe small states of this Union, .I
should feel that] was an unfaithful servant,
did I not make an effort, however feeble it
may be, in dcfenceofthose rights which were
secured to the state sovercigntics, small as well
as great, by the fathers ofthe Republic, but
“hich the effect oftliese Resolutions, ifa-
dopted, will be to wrest forever fr. their hands.
It is proposed by the resolritions——first, to
take frotn the states the right to elect, in their
federative capacity, a candidate for the Presi-
dency, from the three highest returned by the
people, where no one has it majority ofthe
whole number of votes. This resolution, in
its terms, IS expressed somewhat equivocally;
it proposes merely to amend the constitution,
so as to prevent the election, in any contin-
gency, from devolving on Congress. The
honourable gentlenian from South Carolina,
(Mr. M’Diifiie) has howevel‘, frankly informed
us, that the plan is not only to do away the
contingent agency ofthe House on the second
ballot, btit to destroy the state vote, should a
second ballot become necessary. The sccontl
resolution proposes to divide the whole Union
itito electoral districts. I will examine both
of these propositions in the reversetl order in
which they have been prr,-s-.=tited. The pro-
position to district the Union, like the one
which precetles it, is also rather etitiivocally
exprossetl ; as, indeed, all general propositions
must be, where we are not lurnislictl with tie-
tails. It does not specify wlietlier the electo-
ral colleges are to be preserved in the contem-
plated aiiiendtiicnt, or whether the primary
votes are to be given directly for the Presi-
dcntial Crlll(ll(lZll(.', ltuiay, therefore, become
necessary, to meet the full force of the resolu-
tion, to examine the district system, as appli-
cable to both plans; for there mightbe weighty
reasons with many for adopting the district
system, if the colleges are to be preserved,
which would lose their force, should there be
no iutertnediate agents in the election between
the people and the President. Let me be
here distinctly understood to avow myself in
favor ofthe district system. as applicable to
elections of the legislative branches of our
state gtivcrnmeiits,aiid all local appointmeiits.
Nay, I “Ol1l(.l go further, iftlie electoral colle-
ges should be preserved, and if the District
system, wlicti applied to the state sovereign-
ties, particularly to the large states, did not
interfere with the federative principles on
which the constitution is based ; lshould, in
bat case, prefer choosing the colleges by uni-
form distrtcts, to any other mode. My reas-
ons are these: It-i the appniiituient of public
servants, the agent, as a g€l‘lPI'E‘-i rule, should
be brought titider the eye ofthe priticipal, that
the constituent may know, and thorouglily
understaud,ilie character and qualifications
ofthe individual to whom he eutiusts his vote.
But, in the view which I take of this subject
to enforce the district system upon the states,
as applicable to the election of the executive
branch of this government, would be depart-
ing essentially from the original conipruriiise,
which secured to each at sovereign character.
Aside, however, from this objection, if the e-
lectoral colleges should be dispensed with,
whicli,'judging from what we have seen and
heard, appears to be the prevailing opimoti of
many of the friends ofthe proposed amend-
ments, the reason for district elections would
cease with the abolition ofthe electoral colle-
ges. If we are to vote directly for the Presi-
l . .
dent, the C8n(.ll(.la_I8 is not brought nearer to
the people by gathering their ballots, in dis-
tricts.———There is, I apprehend, a fallacy at
the root of the argument which was so ingeni-
ously raised oii this subject by the honourable
gentleman from South Carolina, that has not
been sufiiciently adverted to. He seems to
suppose that the trite reason why district elec-
lions are preferable to any other tiiode is, that
the minority of a state is represented by such
elections. But, a niumeat’s reflection will
convince us thattliis is not so. If you vote in
districts for the President, there will be a. mi-
nority in each electoral district, approaching,
in many instances, to within a few votes of
the district tnajority. These minorities, tho’
units in their respective districts, will, in the
footing of the general result ofa state caiivass,
present a strong phalanx of votes; which,
however, are entirely unfelt, and tlirowti out
ofthe account in the winding up of a Presi-
detitial election. I cannot illustrate the sub-
ject better, than by taking the case which has
been alluded to, as having happened in a
neighbouring state, during the last electioii--
The candidate who polled the greatest num-
ber of votes in the state alluded to, carried but
three electoral districts ; while another cati-‘
didate, with a less number of votes, actually
carried seven districts. Sufiicient, I presume»
has been said, to show, that the great principle
which renders district elections valuable is,
not that the majority and uiinority have al-
ways the state fairly divided between them
according to their relative numbers, but lllal
such elections are valuable only where: from
the nature of the case, the candidate will be
better known to the constituent. This, liow-
ever, cannot be the case where no electors are
to be appointed, and the presidential candid-
ate resides in one State, and the constituents
are voting in atiether, or in the same state.——
A cantlidate, for instance, residing in Massa-
chusetts, or Tennessee, is not brought nearer
to the voters ufSourli Carolina-—-that is. lll_3Y
have no better opportunity to become acquain-
ted with his qiittlificatioiis by being coiinietl
offinto sections, than they would have ifthey
gave their ballots for liitii ina general State‘
vote. As applicable to such an election, the
~,.
r?qfSDIi of the tlistrict rifle ccasds ; ants where
i
I
i
t
the reason ofthe rule ceases,it is time to drop
the rule itself. You might with as much pro-
prietv say. in the election ofthe Governor of
a Start», that the candidate should succeed
who obtains a majority of counties, or dis-
tricts, whether he has a majority of the peo-
ple or not.
If, therefore, the Electoral Colleges are *0
be abolished as useless, in practice, the more
equitable way would be to letithe people vote
directly for the President, in their primary
meetings.and give to the candidate w'iio ob-
tains a majority in the state,tlie whole strength
vote, gradtinlly to its number of Representa-
tives and Senators in Congress. Or, what
would be more compatible with the federative
principles on which the Union was foruieddet
each state deteitiiiiie for itself, in its sove-
reign capacity, as is now the case, whetherits
vote should be brought out with an unbroken
front, or in the diveisifietl forms ofdistrict e-
leciions. This, sir, would be preserving the
old land marks, the primitive principles ofthe
constitution, unimpaired, and only varying
the forms iii which those principles should be
brought into action. One other remark on
this branch of the Sul‘;jFC[. Why are we call-
ed upon to abolish the Electoral Colleges ?-
Have they ever gone cotititer to the will ofthe
power that created them ? The answer is,
no. But since the electors faithfully comply
with the instructions ofthe people, for wlioui
they acctherefore they are unnecss:iry——-they
do nothing more or less than the principals
could do for tlieniseives. Granted : but what
then do you gain by dropping them? Ifthis
electoral machinery, instead of resisting or
divertingthe popular voice, only conveys itto
its tlestitied point, is it worth while to alter the
venerable charter of our rights for the sake of
forms, when you already have the substance
for which you seek? But I have already de-
voted tnom time to this part of the plan than
I at first proposed, antl will therefore hasten
to the examination of the other proposition,
whirali is by far the most important of the two.
Tli.r.~.atiient.l..ment, which took place in the
early part of Mr. J-ifi'erstin’s administration,in
relation to the election of Presidt-.nt 82. Vice-
Presitlcnt, did not materially change the fed-
erative features ofthe original article. The
rr-piiblican Wistlo-n of 1804-, left those ferittires
firm and prominent as they were introduced
by the wise men of ’87. But, sir, the attietid-
ment now proposed is aimed at the root ofthe
federative priiiciple ; and ifit prevails, the
small states, iftliey are out eventually crush-
ed, will he redncird to mere dots, upon the
political map ofour country. Sir, wheii I am
called upon to revise the grave work ofthe fit-
thers of this I-lepiibliu, and am remintled that
my native State was represt-nted in the'Con-
veiitiou by the stern rnpiililican virtues ofold
Roger Sherman, aided by the powerful elo-
quence of William Samuel Johnson, I feel op-
pressed by the niagnittitle ofthe subject upon
which I am to act: and cuiitiot but regret that,
on this occasion, my constituents have not an
abler representative in the person ofthe'hum-
blc individual who now addresses you. tit,
sir, I shall not shrink from my duty ; for, I be-
lieve, ifl could ask the people wlioui I have
the honor to represent, what course I Should
here pursue, they would answer--whats.-Vet‘
you may do, remember “ Dou’t give up the
ship.”
l\‘Ir.Ciiairman, this nation hasjiist emerged
front a Presidential election——an event which,
when it occurs, in its lllll(l(’Sl forms, is apt to
create some excitettieni. Prejudice will, oti
such occasions, steal witliiti our bosonis, and
imperceptibly wind around the purest heart.
How different was the situation ofthe vener-
able men who framed the instrument that we
are now asked to change in its most vital
Point! The framers of this constitution en-
tered not upon their holy work, when they
were either mortified by disappoiiitinents or
elated with victory. They caitie together with
cool heads and incorruptible hearts ;, they re-
garded not the present da;. alone.——they lo0k- -
ed to posterity-—their motto was, God and our
Country. I: was in a spirit of coinpromise
and tiiutual forbearance that they were ena-
bled to reconcile, and carefully balance, the
complicated and conflicting interests of the
thirteen States, so as to unite thetn under
one comiiiou government. Tit-2 circular ad-
dressed by the convention to the States, after
they had finished their labours, and signed by
W-asliingtou, speaking ofthe peculiar (IlHIClIl-
ty of the compromise, thus obst,-rves——“ This
ditiiculty was increased by a difference among
the several states as to their situation, extent,
habits, and particular interests.” Again z-—
‘‘ The coiistitiitton which we now present, is
the result ofa spirit of auiity, and ofthat inu-
toal deference and concession, which the pe-
culiarity of our political situation rendered
indispeiisible.” Sir, in no part ofthe instru-
ment was the spirit of mutual deference and
concession iiioie strikingly displayed than in
the article which regiilated the election of
ChiefMagistrate. The convention were eni-
ban-asged here as well as elsewhere, by the
“ extent” ofsouie States, and the “ particular
interests” ofotliers. Sumeoflhe States were,
comparatively, extensive in population; the
territorial “ extent” of others was wide, and
they were rapidly increasing in strength-
others were dense in population, btit from the
restricted “ extent” oftheir limits, were desti-
ned to soon rank in the smallest grade of
States, they were consequently apprehensive
ofbciug swallowed up by a general consolida-
tion; while a third class of States were deli-
cately situated in regard to their “ particular
interests.” These last possessed _a peculiar
popuiation which had been entailed upon
them, when in a colonial condition, by the
tnutlier country ; but were considered by the
convention as being, in sortie respects, proper-
ly, in other respects, persons. To reconcile
these apparently jarring interests, and, as far
as possible, to leave them all undisturbed, was
theiaiost arduous and delicate task that ever
devolved upon man. Hence, in regulating
the election of Chief Magistrate, the conven-
tion felt it necessary to provide that each state
' Sam,-in be allowed to‘ give either a general, or j
, ,, ,i,»_,,.,-'m vote, as it should decide for itself, in 3
its sovereign capacity, which secures a com'- ’;
tnanding iufliience‘ to the large states when .
trier c1r'oi0$_‘c to ¢‘-*'«!-‘V.-U1‘-1.1m-“>15 ass!" was ‘
4
held in check by a ftirther provision, which
enabled the small states to stand on an equal
footing -.vith.tlieir larger neighbors, in select-
ing a candidate, should there be no choice ef-
fected by,the people, in the consolidated votes
of the electoral colleges ; while, again, three-
fifthscf the slave population were allowed in
the representation ofthose states, whose par-
ticular interests seemed to retjtiire that secu-
rity. Now, sir, let me ask the attention of
the committee to a closer view of the propos- ‘
ed amendments. Bv these resoliitioiis the
large states are required to give up the right
to an titibrokeii electoral vote-—the small
states are disarmed oftheir federative strength
in the contingent elections, when the people
fail to make a choice-—and the only interest
which remains untouched, is the three-fifths
-represeetation of the peculiar population to
which I have alluded. Can it be expected
that we should yield our part of the constitu-
tional comproinise, when the correlative pow-
ers of any ofthe other states are retaiiied ?--
Tlie interest so carefully protected by the con-
vention, and so closely watched by the state
which the gentleman from South Carolina
ably represents, is not more valuable to his
constituents, than the federatrve principle,
which his resolutions will destroy, is to my
constituents. Let me assure the gentleman,
that our fathers have so arranged this subject,
that we have both a common interest to de-
fend. The two principles were engrafted into
the Confillllitlon originally together-—they
I'nlISt,grq'\V together, or they must be plucked
out together. Sir, I generally listen to that
geiitlatnan with pleasure,and with profit, even
when Ea difkers with rneiii opinion——butwhen
I saw im the other day calling upon the suiall
states to take this amendment or encoiinter
the wrathful displeasure ofa general conven-
tion, I watched him with intense anxiety, for
I felt as if he was treading over the hidden
flames of a volcano, upon a crust that was
hardly strong enotigh to bear him. The in.-
terests ofthe north (K: the south are intimate-
ly blended in our federative union ; I beseech
the gentleirinn not to separate tli in. Lay
not rash hantls on this original compromise
of our mutual claims—it is the key stone of
the constitutional arch.
In all the discussions on this stibject, either
here elsewhere, it has always appeared to me.
that the important fact ha~ been too often
0verl0oked,t«hat this government is ofa mixed
character. We regard our constitution as
containing a sacred system, it is true, nitich as
we venerate our Bible,but one, like the other,
is too often laid upon, and not opened half as
often as it ought to be. Examine critically’
this instrument, and you will find that the
tendency to consolidation is, in every branch
ofit, checked by the federative barriers 0
state sovereignty. You can hardly fix your
eye upon any spot in the ooii-tituzion where
these mutual checks and ball-.i'nt;t:s are not to
be fcutid. You cannot pass a law, without it!
being submitted to, and approved by, the
states in their federative character, as repre-
sented in the other branch of€ongress. Out‘
treatiespwith foreign powers : all our import-
ant appointments iiitist pass thro’ the same or-
deal. Thhe federative principle which ex-
tends through the elective powers of the con-
stitution, does but preserve the entire symme-
try of the work. It is indeed, here, perhaps‘,
less distinci,because it can be only ftilly drawn
out by a contingent vote, after the consolida-
ted strength of the states has failed to make '8;
selection. As we have been reminded, tlie
arratigeuient oftliis elective power was oppo-
sed, when submitted to the states, less than
any other part of the instrument; and if--,en-
tleiiien will examine the pamphlets and news
papers which followed the session ofthe con-
vetitiou, some of which were as highly spiced
as any ofour modern publicatious—-it will be
fotind, that the writers who opposed the Con-
stitution, very generally admitted,that the an-
ticle regulating the election of President was
admirably arranged to snbserve theinterests
of the Union. And yet, strange as it may
seem, this very article is the first that has been!
selected, I will not say for amendment, but fdt
a radical change.
But we are told, that experience on this
subject has made us wiser than our fathers--—
that ii combination ofsmall states may be for-
med, as represented on this floor by forty are
members, to take the government into theii"
own hands, that the immense strength of the
large states will sleep no sound, as to be fris-
tened by Lilliputian tics. When the periotf
arrives that there will be danger ofsiicb ah
unholy alliance, ofthe small against the great
—it will betime to apply the remedy. How
could such an unnatural utiion be effected ?—
What motives could produce such an alliance?
To concentrate the federative strength of
these small states, you have to bring together
members ofthe system, opposite in interests"
as thejpare distant in location. The extreme
east, the extreme south, the north west, and
the middle, must, by a simultaneous move-
ment, be btouglit into a concentrated action.
And what wotiltl this strange combination a-
mount to? "A conspiracy ofthe fingers and
remote fibres, against the heart. But further,
all the present small states,witli the exception
of New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island,
Connecticut, New Jersey, and Delaware,ha'-'6
large territorial limits, and by the time the ad-
vocates of these resolutions get their amend-
merit throug|i,the increasing population ofthd
country, will have swelled some of those
states into the size ofthe 2d grade of3tates.--
The danger, which the proposed ainendmeut
is liiterided to remedy, will have ctired itself,
by the cflnstant increase ofour population, at
the west and south.
It‘, therefore, the federative powers of the
small states are now to be feared. our larger‘
neiglibors have, at least, the consolation to
ltnotv‘,-'~‘that our relative powers are fast dimin-
ishing, without any cotistituiioual amt-nd"-,
uieut. Every returning census turns some of
our represetitatives from the old states away
frorii this hall, and lessens our relative we-igh -
in the Union; Are not gentlemen satisfie_
with this ? The federutive power is about -‘
that we have left to remind us what we 'mdU'
we're. Take this from us, as now pro'p'0sed§
1 it requires not the spirit cf prophesy__t _
?‘gj'(g;£,e,.lli'tfi_l.he precedent will b'b.f1)J_I9t'I§fl__%“
9..
Norwalk Chronicler