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Show 126 THE STATE CONVENTIONS. werp, hard pressed by Philip, applied to the other states for reli ef. llolla.nd, a. rival in trade, opposed and prevented the needy succors. Antwerp was made a sacrifice. I wish I could say there were no seeds of similar injustice springing up among us. Is there not in one of onr States iujustice too barefaced for Eastcm despotism ? That State is small. It does little hul't to any but itself. But it has a spirit whi ch would make a Tophet of the universe. But some will say, "vVe formerly did well with· out any union." I auswer, our situation is materially changed. While Great Britain held her authority, she awed us. She up· poi u ted governors and councils for the American provinces. She had a negative upon our laws. But now, our circum· stances are so altered, that there is no argmng what we shall be, from what we have been.* EXTRACTS FROM THE DEBATES OF THE COMMON· WEALTH OF VIRGINIA. June 2, 1788. Mr. George Nicholas. Mr. Chairman: I feel apprehcn. ions lest the subject of our debates should be misulldcrstood. Every one wishes to know the true meaning of the !:\ystcm; out I fear those who hear ns will think we are captiously quibbling on words. We have been told, in the cout·se of tuis business, that the government will opera.tc like a screw. Give me leave to say that the exertions of the opposition are like that instrument. They catch at every thing, and take it into their vortex. * The report of the de bates in the Connecticut Convention is very meagre, occupying but a fow pages. In none of the speeches reported is the !:;lavery question debated at all. We copy the foregoing from Ml'. Elh;worth., as containing hAalthy Union sentiments, p eculiarly applicable to a large class of people at the present time. THE STATE COKVENTIONS. 127 The worthy member says that this government Is defective, bcca.nsc it comes from the people. Its greatest recommendation with me, IS putting the power in the bands of the people. He disapproves of it becanse it docs not say in what particula: instances the militia shall be called out to execute the laws. 'l'his is a power of the Constitution, and particular instances must be defined by the legislat ure. But, says the worthy member, those laws which have been read arc argument. against the Constitution, because they show that the t\tatcs arc now in possession of the power, and competent to its cxc<.:ntion. Woulcl you leave this power in the States, and by that means dcpri ve the general government of a power whi ch will be necessary for its existenec ? If the State goverulllcnts H ncl this power necessary, ongb t not the general government to have a. similar power? nut, sir, th ere is no ~tate check in this business. The gentleman near me has shown that there is a very important check. Another worthy member says there is no power in the Stales to quell an insurrection of sla-res. IIavc they it now? If they have, does the Constitution take it away? If it does, it mnst be one of the three clan ·cs whi ch have been mentioned by the worthy member. 'I'he first clansc gives the general government power to call them out when ncce sary. Does this take it away from the States? No. Rut it gives an additional security; for, be ide the power in the State governments to usc their own militia, it will be the duty of the general government to aid them with the stl·cngth of the Union when called for. No part of this Constitution can show that this po\vcr is taken away. But an argument is drawn from that clause which says "that no State Rha11 engage in war, unless actually invaded, |