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SOUTHERN
RECORDER.
VOL. I.
MILLEDGEV1LLE, TUESDAY, JANUARY % 1821.
No. 47.
PUBLISHED WEEKLY,
(on TUF.RDATS)
nv s. GRJ YTL.I.Yf) ^ R. M. OK MR,
AT 'I'll It I'. K DOUARS, Iff ADVANCE, on FOUR
1101,1,Alia AT THE EXPIRATION OF THE
TEAR.
II }* Advertisements conspicuously inserted at
llio ciistntmuy rules.
PROSPECTUS
OF
TUfc YAuVav\c\\A\va Jo\m\a\
OF
Tim MEDICAL PHYSICAL SCIENCES.
lUhlcd by X. C1UPM.W, M l).
FRorr.ssoR or the institutes ano practice of
medicine and ci.inicai. PRACTICE, and
ROBERT M. PdTTERSOX, M. D.
PROFESSOR OF NATURAL PHILOSOPHY, iiC. Sic
IN TPE I NIVBRSITV OF PENNSYLVANIA.
To be published by M. Cam Son, Philadelphia.
In (lie four quarters of the globe, who reads
mi American Iwok ? or goes to un Aiuerieun
piny ? or looks ut an American picture or st a .
Inc ? IVhal does (lie irorld yet oue to Jlmt/rican
]‘hysicians or Surgeons ?
EdlnliurgliReview, No. LXV.
Next to the invention of the »rt of print
ing, periodical publications probably exercise
the most beneficial influence ill awakening
literary curiosity, ami diffusing knowledge.
Of their utility in these respects, we have
conclusive evidence, in the extent of their
multiplication, and the eagerness with which
they arc sought after and encouraged, in
every enlightened country.
Deriving tbeit materials from many k. dif
ferent sources, they arc accommodated more
readily than any other species of writing to
the varieties of taste, and the several conditi
ons of intellectual capacity, and improve
ment.
To the United Slates, productions of this
nature would seem to he singularly adapted.
An inquisitive and reading people, we are.
however, so widely dispersed, as to render
access, for the most part, exceedingly diffi
cult to libraries, and other auxiliaries oflearn-
injC.
To these inconveniences, which flic me
dical profession, in common with the rest of
the community, experience, others, more pe
culiarly incidental to it, may be added.—
Engaged in the discharge nf duties incon
ceivably oppressive, and with a penurious,
mid wholly inadequate reward, not a few of
our practitioners have neither the means to
collect, nor the leisure to pursue elaborate
works, or to pursue with regularity, any
course of systematic study. Expedients,
therefore, cannot fail to prove, acceptable, in
their arduous and perplexing avocations,
which arc calculated, in any measure, to les
sen expense, economise time, or abridge la
bor.
No scheme, in relat.on lo these purposes,
obviously combines so many advantages, as
a well conducted Journal. Being afforded
it a moderate price, it comes within the
ompetency of every one, and conveys, in a
.ondensed shape, over the widest expanse nf
Hintrv, the earliest intelligence of the dis-
ivories and improvements in science, penc-
.<ting into places, from which more ponde
rous tomes, and literary vehicles, are entire
ly excluded.
’ Nor in another view, fi it scarcely less
suited to the existing condition of the pro
fession. Destitute of liberal leisure, and
with too little of that sort of discipline so es
sential to the greater and more complicated
literary performances, we have the talent
abundantly distributed, which excels hi short
and miscellaneous compositions.
Tile preceding considerations, have h -ul no
small share, in the pro notion of the present
undertaking. But weighty as they are, we
confess the operation of other incitements,
not less cogent and impressive.
Ever since the establishmentofo'ir Jitt/rpet*-
dence, it luis become tlie habit of Europe, ve
ry wantonly to traduce oor national charac
ter, our institutions, and achievements.
Calumnies from this source, have been so
long tacitly endured, that they really seem
now to be raised, as it were, under the sanc
tion of prescriptive privileges, anti on each
repetition, to be marked by fresh acrimony
and insolence.
Even allowing that we are as deficient as
is alleged, in literary and other polite attain
ments, it does not at all militate against oor
pretensions lo genius, or to generous views,
and dispositions. Candidly examined, our
history will show, that in whatever emirs,
the energies of our people have been itirect
ed, there ivc are eminently distinguished.
ll would be alien to the occasion, and not
compatible with our limits, to prosecute, ij
any detail, the discussion of this very in)
teresting subject. Enough, perhaps, will lit
contained, to answer our immediate, object,
in the simple affirmation, that the more < lo-
gant occupations of the mind, arc the lost t>
arrest the attention of a people, and as expe
rience teaches, have atone flourished m the
maturest state of society. Cast on a deso
late shore, our first care, was to provide l«r
the proximate necessities of life, and next to
lav those solid foundations, on which, may
he perceived, through the vista of no distort
fu.urltv, '0 arise the most splendid cdifne
of national happiness, prosperity and glory
Be the charge renewed, it may he mine
distinctly replied, that we arc still in the stab
in which the useful is prawned to thcornf-
mental, St that as in the ease.of manufacturer
being readily supplied from abroad, we ha *
taken no pains to force the culture of lit. ^
ture or the fine arts by the warmth of h.d-
viilual patronage, or legislative provisions.!
No part of the reproaches to which «
have alluded, can, with ft shadow o tmslij,
be extended to the profession ofmedtciP (
Emphatically, we have (lone onr out), ji
Sy be safely said, that in no country urt-
dicL strictly defined, better understoodirr
more successfully practised than in tlict-
States. •
European physicians do surpass us,m
classical education, and in variety, dep
extent of erudition. But in acuteness of fc-
netration, and promptness of remedial jc
source,—in that species of tact, uitlU
which genius is cold, anu knowledge merj
tUr power w hereby the means are accurte
'.V adapted In the end, and which in the
treatment of disease confers vigour ami olfi-
Money, we are unrivalled.
Doubts ns to the soundness of this posi-
lion, will at once lie dissipated, by reference
to the periodical arid other recent publica
tions ol Europe, in which may be traced
doctrines and modes of practice, long pre
valent among us, now eagerly adopted and
very generaIly approved.
It is not difficult to assign some of the cau
ses ol this superiority. Necessity is the
strongest incentive to exertion, and in all its
tendencies, is original and inventive. It is
the fate, as previously intimated, of a large
proportion of those who toil at the profession
among us, to lie so situateil^as lo command
few ill the ordinary advantages, and hence
they are driven mainly on their own resources.
Neither perverted by prejudice, nor enfee
bled by any undue reverence for authority,
the medical mind of the country was every
where upon to the reception of new impres
sions, when thirty years ago, the pestilence
which has since wasted jjur cities, made its
appearance in a guise so anomalous and vio
lent, ns to render the existing principles of
the science inapplicable, and to engage, us in-
tensly in a wide scope of observation and re
search.
As new lights were elicited, correspondent
changes took place, and the spirit of refor
mation continuing lo move on, eventually
led to one of those revolutions, incident to
the history of medicine, in which views were,
established, more pertinent to the condition
ot the diseases .lour climate, and in stricter
conformity to the general advances of human
knowledge, during a season of such active
exertion.
It may he collected from the foregoing
observations, that among our leading turns,
will lie to trace the progress of medicine in
the U. States, to vindicate, our claims to cer
tain improvements, to preserve these, as
well as what may hereafter he done, from
foreign usurpation, and lastly to evolve, anil
stimulate the genius of the country to. invi
gorated efforts, by holding out a respectable
and more permanent repository for its pro
ductions. CimnecU d intimately with one of
the schools, from which lias emanated a
large share of these improvements, and
where medicine is still most ardently culti
vated, we shall have peculiar facilities in me
execution of this part of our iilan, though, at
the same time, we are sensible, that much
has been accomplished elsewhere, and is
therefore to he drawn from other sources, k
by the help of such as are friendly to our
undertaking.
There is no section of t'ne Union without
able and intelligent im dieiil men, or which
does not present the amplest field forthedis
play of talent, the extension of knowledge
and the consequent acquisition of fame...—
Confessedly, the indigenous medicinal vege
tables have hitherto hern inipfl fectlj* hives
ligated, and much remains to be performed
m relation to medical topography,—in tin
history of ephtemics, or more common dis
eases, as modified by cl.mate, the Reasons,,
the state of weather, the habits of society
and other localities, anil peculiar eircumstan.
ces,appertainin'; to (lie infinite diversities o
our widely spread territories.
Communications on these points, so curi-
onsin themselves, and of such high practical
import, ns well as on subjects, which inort
commonly enter into the eonsti.liitian of mis
cellanies of this description, are earnestly so
licited.
Nor do we confine our views exclusively to
mere technical mtdirine. tSonleinplaUd in
a shape so limited, whatever may lie its
boasted usefulness, onr profession loses hid!
its elevation ami dignity.
The physical sciences, or at least tin
branches having the closest affinity t" medi
cine, shall share our ;• (etilion. Exuberant
in objects nf curiosity, the United States most
unquestionably tilibvd the finest opportuni
ties fur the cultivation of .his species of know
ledge. Contributions, which tend to eluci
date any part of our natural history, in the
widest sense of Hie term, we shall always
gladly receive.
Criticism will regularly occupy; a part of
nor space. As our wish, however, is to in
struct, arid uot to censure, or gratify our own
' vanity by wantonly wounding the. aunsibili-
iy of another, we shat! restrict the exercise
of it tn those works only, which have indis
putable claims In notice, b) the value of their
matter, or the merit of execution, and there
by lie spared the pain of contending with
unresisting feebleness. Native medical li
terature, by which we now mean, the art of
elaborate writing, is still pretty much in its
infancy, and we an;persuaded may he more
promoted by tlu* language of tenderness and
encouragement, than by any severity of ani
madversion, or harsh exposure of its defects.
Deviations from the rule, of conduct we.
have presented ’to ourselves, will only be
found in eases ol. obtrusive impertinence, or
mpfriea! pretensions, and under such cir
cumstances, vve sh ill ever be mindful of the
legal maxim, “ that the judge is condemned
when the criminal escapes.”
To complete, our design, vve mean at stat
ed intervals, to give ananaljMs of the Fo
reign Journals, so copious as tn embrace, the
most interesting of llu ir contents, and lo ex
hibit the progress abroad, of medicine, and
the collateral branches of science. Db'thn't
f om the obvious advnntngoisvf such a si nop-
sis. it is especially demanded by the cost and
difficulty of procuring tic wot Its themselves.
Extraordinary too, as it may appear, it cun,
perhaps, tie here only executed with fidelity.
Controlled by hostile feelings, and the
earnest jealousies, the most enlightened na
tions of Europe, uni! with whose literary
proceedings we are chieily conversant, per
petually-offer proof of a mutual spirit of in
justice, in the supprescion or depreciation of
each others merits, and more particularly, in
relation to medical improvements. Too
neutral in our position, tube warped or in
fluenced by such considerations, vve are i:i
this case, the best prepared to institute a can
did inquiry, and pronounce a just and im
partial decision.
After so ample an exposition of onr mo
tives and views, vve might, perhaps, be saved
the declaration that in conducting thin Jour
nal no traces of local partialities, or sectional
prejudices shall he. discerned. Characteris
ed iiid)' by liberality, science turns with dis
gust from whatever partakes of narrowness
and favouritism. We look to the profession
at large, for countenance ami support of a
scheme that deeply concern* the whole, and
which we ave sensible, ettn only succeed by
general approval mid cordial co-operation.
An enterprise, such ns vve meditate, vigor
ously sustained by the various ability which
we hope to enlist in its service, is eminently
suited, in our deliberate opinion, to promote
the best interest of medicine, and in llm illus
tration of its character, to conduce in no
slight degree to the moral ascendancy and
intellectual glory nflhe country.
CONDITIONS.
1. The work sha 1 lie issued in quarterly,
numbers,each to contain about two hundred
pages, handsomely printed in fine,paper.
2 The price will he, six dollars per annum,
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Gentlemen at a distance who wish to n'rcive
the work, will have it sent by mail or other
wise, as they may direct, on enclosing In the
publishers one year’s subscription.
tJ. No subscription to lie discontinued ex
cept at the end of a year.
1. The first number will appear iu No
vember.
ILT Subscription* received by Dr. T. I tfrea/
and d m. J. Hobby, of Augusta, mid Wiilinm /’
H'illiams, Savannah.
ber ol the union. The question became
one nf graver consideration, when it was
considered that it was proposed now to
extend this participation lo an object
winch was not in the cuniemplutn if
those who formed the constitution ol me
United States, who looked iu ttieir pro
visions to ilie territory then in possession
of the United States, ami probably had
never calculated on the admission of
states out of territory beyond the original
limits of the United Mates, i hv» high
power was given to congress ; and alter
the discussion of last session, it was
needless to say was given without limita
tion. The power is, *• to ad mil nevi
slates into tite union"—it is granted in
the broadest and most comprehensive
manner—at J it mu.Id seem to follow,
as the consequence of this gram of gen
eral authority, that congress possessed
every power and authority necessary lu
its lair exercise. \\ h.utever power wa
le.lily given to congress, it was their do
ty lo oxi rct«e, mid not Inrn it over to
ii OUSE OF li EPR ESE.VIITl iSS.
i ltlKSllAT, Dec. 7.
M1SM)U 111.
The House then tvaolred itself into a
committee of the whole, dir. JYeison, o|
V a. in the chair, on die resolution de
claring the ttltnission of .Missouri into the
i iiton on an dpi il footing with the other
states of the Union. And the question
having been again staled—
Mr. Sf.iigeaxt rose. Of the sne,-< I,
which he delivered, occapvi tg up" .a i-
ef two hours time, the following must in
considered ns a free but not a very t li
t eport.
Mr. S. began by saying that this sub
ject had be en so long mid so much talked
of, and written ol, i-t was so m toil con
nected with considerations arising out of
the question so much debated at the last
session, that, he hardly doubted even
member of litis committee had for hi r.seit
made up his mind on the immediate ques
tion.' It was nut, therefore, with any
great hope of persuading others, that tie
now rose, hut from a wish to explain the
grounds of his nivn opinion, which war-
entertained with so much siaeftritv that
he could not permit himself to doubt th t
the opinion of every member nflhe com
mittee u;ts entertained with equal since
rity, and that the question would bo de
cided, as it ought to ho, on its real me
rits. Vv ith respect to the question hinted
at by the gentleman from South Carolina,
and discussed at the last session, Mr. 3.
said lie did not agree wi;li him that the
decision of the question now before tii •
House depended upon the decision ol
the question agitated at the last session;
How far that question might be invol eJ
in the present question might he a sub
ject for consideration ; but iudependent
ly o| that question, the one now f resen
ted was a very important one. I Ibwevf r
minute in itself, if it extended button
single provision of the Constitution pre-
-oiited by t li a people of Mivsdori, it yet
involved considerations which those, who
had listened to the arguments of the <t ri-
tieman from South Carolina, must sen,
went to the w hole extent cf (letoninn-
itig what power actually remained, in
Congress with regard iiranv ttfnitrsrv af
ter authorising them to forme C"ii tint-
tion—vvhnl they have a right to insist
upon, vvhnl they have a right to do and
say upon the subject—in short, the ques
tion whether congress have nr tune not
the power at all under the constitution
of the United States, with inspect t" the
admission of a new slate into the Union,
after the passage cf an act authorising
the people to form a constitution.
It could not he doubled of denied,
Mr. 3. admitted, that there was, in look
nay uther department, cutili hi:
^ in il to
cure the delect which ronji e m
fciltJtH'trd
iu pass uncorrecled. There
was no-
vt'itic; in the constitution ot tin
Si;it<*.s which c.H.iiti : .ui . .1 a
noren!
course. It is our n^hi .i•..i .
,i sty,
said Mr. 3. when i M ilv i :rr
lui admission into i... 1 i ni<• i
- e lhai
site c in come into tii ■ !.. .
1<!" lilt*
constitution of il:United
*. ,u<! in
• 'iiilui'.i.ity w nil lis.piui i,i .is
i orctii-
t linly, a hatei r a ere t.i • . ;
i trlncii
I power w is ;pv- .... a •
■ '!.• oi
Missouri to fo■ III a CIJHSO.'.' i'll .
> Ml-
;r,'inic
21' ID
111 of
<! i i I * 11
i.(J P» !
W rw»nS* |
to lii.tl
hv i
no to 11
.i, that wlii ,
V of tld.Tliltlilg
igre-.s authori-
i' 1 lust it ilioa ami
could for n single
lull power w.,s ru-v
i-ud the constiiu.i
or t.» bring into the
constitution wa* no?
i the United Uun es.
! Ivii* bee;, an oxercD
congress bey mid the
would ha ,,n iiiimunl'
count fir—an in, u.
constitution of the. i.
: would Ilf; iiupi'.-slidl
Oil’ll''.
It would th"tvf:rv
s, inch). ,.i to tlv ,
states mi' too in , .■
o d t ter: ilci \ to i i; ;
state go, m u,ti-. i ,i
imislitiitiop. ;o tn I'miiefl,
conformable to t"« coni: ■tm.j. of the
Uni efi S.tiros, and Ike Lie teni.ory tint-
aulhon.si\i doi ■■ mu m any sim.e become
a slate, iintil slu- tn, I, rrned s'leli n con.
stitetinn. Our. pov cr, s ii,J Mr. 5. is in
admit and incidentally to authorise, tiic
lomiatioii of a constiiuti m, with a view
to 'ad.ni^tstmi. Il.i .e c.fing’,".iss the power
to authorise a people tn firm a constitu
tion 'ind state govermneut sovereign mn
independent of the Umi-'d f. tales ? No •
the power In authorise a people t i form
a i ousiilulion is an implied pow er, sub
ordinate to lie' full power, which never
plleclunlly is exercised until t!ie ant of
admission subsequently to the l.irmnlioa
of n.confi'ilution.
Mr. ,S. said he nude tiicsa remarks in
the outset, to meet .it once ti:i aegumcat
et the itii Hiber from Ho uh Uarolini,
wliicli wits plausible, c , i .ti.ig, an '
seemed to ho calculate.> s.iniotli t'i>
way. and remove f". cr. ditkculty. That
uigument w ns, t.iut tlie state, t. o.n the
moment of its formation <d\v cornditmion.
became an iinlcpcnile.iit and sovereign
-late. Where, said Mr. S. is your pow
er in the constitution to m ike such a
stale ; V our powcr is to admit slates min
ihe Union, mid your power to authori/,e
(he people of a territory to form a con
stitution is merely niiii'iidinaie .and sub
sidiary to the main power. Can vou a I-
rnit a state by anticipation,
tlenian lias suggested i You transcend
vour authority it you do so, Mr. S. ven-
I ired to say, that Congress never had
in? at the admission of states into the j *° i J ! 'M H>c.V could not do so ; nud
l T nion, heretofore, at least an apparent
irregularity, and much of apparent dis
order. If. however, .any inference were
to be drawn from precedents tn the case,
it would he, that there never had been
any precise examination of the powers
of congress in this respect—no establish
ed mode cd’ndmissjon—or in other words,
that there had ber-n every variety of
mode, l or the sake ofthe future, peace
and harmony of the government of the
United States ; fur the sake ofthe ter
ritories here a I ter applying to he admit
ted into the Union ; for the sake ofcon-
eresa alone, said Mr. S. it i* incumbent
on us all to examine the grounds of this
question ; to see w hat arc onr 'rights,
and whiit theirs, and deduce, f. tun a full
consideration of these, a file which
shall be uniform as to the states hereaf
ter to be admitted into the Union, and
v:v some sense or other, every tm inner
ot ihe committee would agree with him
in the opinion. Could congress, by an
ticipation,/mid itself to the admission of u
stale, (for such was the argument yester
day pressed upon the committee) so as
to have no choice hut to accept such a
Constitution as that state chose to offer ?
Surely not ; lint according to the argu
ment advanced by the gentleman from
South Carolina, not only was the present
congress in he bound liv the act of the
last sos-,ion, hut the present congress
might, by tin act passed now, bind the
next congress lo the admission of a state
into the union. Was the authority given
by congress [o a people to form a con
stitution, a,compact with them tint the'
Should he admitted into tin: union on any
other terms than those prescribed to
them ? For one, Mr. S. said, lie did not
free from the danger of exposing us to (himself hound, !>v giving the nu-
contests such as that which appears lo ! thority to a people to form a constitution,
have, arisen on the present occasion, i to admit them into the union, unless their
The power to admit a state into the Jmnstitption should he such as (lie people
Union, no one would doubt, yas a very tof*the United States, through iheir re-
high one—a power to part with a por- j | ,r «fientatives, thought lit to accept as the
tinn of that authority which was origin-• fondamcntal rule of government ofthe
ally vested in the old states, and wl»jch |stivto thus to he admitted,
exists in the present states, and to admit: S/then proceeded to say, that he
to a participation in our councils, in our *’ 1,1 f 10 * !o p Mor into the ques
power, in the control and management of t' 00 r ‘I the last session ; it had been dis-
cvcrv thing concerning our rights and mussed enough, lie did not mean to a-1 tee to the terms ot the preamble ol this
our property, a new and integral rncni- ■ haudon the opinion which he had then! resolution, wherein it is declared, tbut t
formed and expressed, It Ivatl not been
formed hastily, but carefully and deliber
ately, and tie bad seen no reason to
change Itis mind upon it. Without going
into tli.it question at all, he should pro-,
cued to the immediate question presented
by the argument ofthe gentleman from
South Carolina.
’1 his single question wns, whether it
is the right and duty of congress, before
admitting a state into the union, to see
that Us constitution and state government
be not repugnant to the constitution of
tlie United Slates. He should have
Itoped he said, and he yet hoped, that
the opinion would he nearly unanimous
in this body, that there might tie such a
repugnancy between such »slate ttonpti-
tittson, ami the constitution of tlie United
Suites, as would not only justify congress
iu interfering, but make, it tneir impe
rious duty to interfere, to prevent her
taking rank m die union. IV bether that
was die vase in the present distance,
n is he said a different question.
I'ne preliminary et»j.iiry was that
winch In* nan just stated. It hud been
said lii.it Missouri was already ati inde
pendent state ; that she has formed a
state government under un unlimited au
thority from congress ; and that she tins
now the same rights as the proudest and
oldtv t status hi the union. Ifit be so,
said itir. 3. w ii.it u e vve now deliberating
ubouv ? Why i 5 it, that the resolution
now under consideration, i« propose!
tor our avloption ! Why are tins and
tiiv: other . :,e called upon to pass a le-
gislativ • . i wild li is altogether unneces*
, nl which has clauses in it, if this
truoiintt he true, which arc extreme-
N objectionable ? If this construction
be c.irrect, ber senators and represeuta-
ti-.'s have a right to their scats on ihe
tloot of either house—to unite in the
nr,i non counsels on the affairs ofthe u-
•lioti, and to give to the votes of Missou
ri the sa ne firee ns tiiose of any other
state. Why uro they then, said .Mr. S.
kept waiting at our doors, and not admit-
(•.■'I to partake of our deliberations ?—
j Why do they wait mail the fate of this
resolution he known ?
t was s tid that this resolution was no
thing hut a declaration of a fact. Such
a notification was nut necessary for the
follow t i >i inv -seri.iiura and representatives of .Missouri;
it was not necessary for congress, if, the
I vet lining known, the fanner had no
thing to do, to entitle them to a scat, but
to advance to tlie chair of either house
and take the oath to support the consti
tution ofthe United States. Why was
it, moreover, that the constitution ol Aiis-
•ouri had been submitted to a committee
nftnis house ! Why hail a report been
made by that committee, and w hy was
this house now discussing it ? And why
Was itith.il that report went into an ex
amination of a pavticul ir clause ol that
constitution, and pointed out the mode
iu w hic.li congress were to relieve them
selves from I lie task of deciding on it-.
constitulioiralV.', by leaving it to the
judiciary ? If the gontlemap’s doctrine
were true, this is nil superfluous. It is
more, said .Mr. S.—for ilie resolution de-
< lares that Missouri shall In*, and hereby
is dee lured to he on,? of the 11. States, the,
lie did not use this reference, he said,
for the mere effect of verbal criticism,
but for n higher purposes. When a com
mittee, composed as that committee was,
finds itsMi'under the nece-sity ot present
ing a t I'solntioii, to bo adopted by a joint
vote of loth houses, dt-.i biting that Mis
souri is thereby, not that she lias been,
admitted into the union, was it riot as
strong e.v'ulouee. us could be lat'nislied
that tin iu was qproevhing which seemed
to compel those w ho., acted on it to say
i« the g ui- j that this declaration of the fact is the vir
tual legislation vvliictitii'ings Missouri in-
lu she union—which qualifies her for
induction Kilo theuubm, and that anteri
or to it she was int a st,.te, and not enti
tled to be ?—f rom what period, Mr. S.
asked, was it, that Missouri was admitt
ed into the union ? It would be from
the moment of the adoption of this reso
lution. Uould it l,e said of any antece
dent period ? Here, Mr. S. said, he
would avail himself of aut/thcr conces
sion of the gentleman from South Caroli
na ; and, iu taking to his aid a concession
of his, Mr. S. said lie did it with the full
impression that it was the result of the
conviction of his own mind, and with the
benefit, therefore, of the conviction ol
such a mind as his. That gentleman
had admitted that congres might, if they
thought proper, introduce a qualification
of their assent to the admission of Mis
souri into the union, which shall serve to
show its dissent to a particular clause of
the constitution of that state. If this re
solution, then, ipstead of being merely
formal and declaratory, was susceptible
of mi amendment by which congress
could exclude that interpretation of a
particular clause of the state constitution
which on its face it bears, would it be
said that tlie state wns n member ofthe
union without the adoption of that re;
solve ? It so, where did congress derive
the authority to legislate on the interpre
tation nf its constitution ?—Mr. S. fur
ther called the attention of the commit-
whereus, in pursuance of an act of con
gress, &c. the people of the said territo
ry did, un the UHb day of July, 1820,
by a convention called for that purpose,
form for themselves a constitution and
state government, which constitution and
state government, so formed, is republi
can, and in conformity to the provisions
of the said net.” The reason assigned
for her admission is, that she has formed
a constitution in conformity to the provi
sions of the act of last seMwy^.^ How ;
ould the committee know thiiM By
their ow n examination. Could congretWi).^
then, declare this to be the case without* -
having examined the constitution of the
new state ? Certainly not. And when
in the act authorising (he formation of
this constitution, were found two limita
tions, thut it should be republican and
that it should’ not ha repugnant to the
constitution of the United States, did it
not hi*co*iM> indispensable, before passing
a preamble and resolution like this, that
the me tubers of this house should bo sa
tisfied in their.own minds that these re
quisitions have been complied with ? If,
in a single article the constitution ofMis-
suuri be repugnant to that,of the United
States, said Mr. S. can we serioh«ly as
s' rt thnt she bar formed a constitution ac
cording to the authority given to her f —
And, w hen called on to say how vve can
reconcile it t<> ourselves to sanction such
a contradiction iti terms, will it he suffi-
cieut to say that vve h.tic u< tninir to do
with that question, and 'o
the judiciary to decide it ! v- t< - v; co-
thing to do with it! e-. . med Mr. 3er-
treuul. IV bv, then, preM riV" to the peo
ple of Missouri any condition.- in the first
instance ; Why nut say, we gave her a
light to form a constitution; she ha 1 for
med it, and, whether it be or be not re
pugnant to the constitution ofthe United
States, slm is n member oftho union ?—-
The contradiction was^nfficiently appa
rent in the fact ofthe introduction of this
resolution : il would be seen «t once,
that the house was neither conforming to
the constitution of the United States, to
the uct ofthe last session, nor to any prin
ciple heretofore -observed in the admis
sion ofstates. Could it be said that con
gress had parted with the power of look
ing into the constitution of Missouri,
vviten it bud expressly prescribed con
ditions which 'should be indispensable to,
its acceptance ? The terms ofthe com
pact, if the act of the last session was to
be considered n compact, between the
United States and Missouri, were per
fectly clear—mid h« took this opportuni
ty ofsaying that, if Missouri was involv
ed in difficulty—if congress found itself
in perplexity—if the union was disturb
ed on this occasion—if this house was
impelled to the consideration of ques
tions which it was painful to act upon—
it was not tlie fault of congre»a—it was
not the fault of the constitution of the U.
States, but it was the fault of the people
of Missouri. It might be their error—un
error which they would be glad to avail
themselves 6fan opportunity to correct
—for, Mr. S. said, ho could not believe
that the people of Missouri would have
wantonly introduced into their constitu
tion a clause at variance with the consti-
lutityi ofthe United Stats?s, under an im
pression that this act of admission was a
mere form. They would not wantonly
h ive dune it, for it could not be either
their interest or ttieir inclination to try
the temper ofthe Congress ofthe United
States—to try how far its regard to th®
constitution would hear it out in tb ( e con
test,-or how far it would consent to sur
render a portion of tlie rights of the
w hole union to dVoid a difficulty which
the people of Missouri have themselves
created. There was prescribed to them
but one condition': to that condition they
had not conformed, and they are not en
titled to admission into the union. Th®
failure to fulfil the compact is on th®
part ofthe people of Missouri—and, said
Mr. S. when we come, in a case of this
sort, to the question between remanding
(Ids constitution for reconsideration, or
giving up the smallest possible portion
of constitutional power, l trust that the
people of every part of the union would
bear us out in saying that the ceustitution
shall he inviolate ; and th it we shall not
be the first to uct a precedent which, be
ing Lwluy, may be followed to-morrow,
until it involves the very existence of
our government.
Would the people of Missouri, Mr. S.
asked, think more highly of congress,
were it to yield to them on this occasion!
would they uot hereafter come into tb®
Union with more respect for c.ongi
and with more respect for themselves too
—with a higher sense ofthe value of ad
mission into the union, if congress now
met this question, thus giving to the
people of M issouri an assurance that what
was now done with respect to them
should be hereafter the rule qf conduct
for congress as to others asking admis
sion into the Union ? Would it not show
to them that congress was disposed to do
all in its power to preserve the blessings
of this government for them and for their
posterity ? \V hat, he asked, would'be
the consequence of submission by con
gress in the present case ? Missouri
will have extorted from us something, a-