CHAP. VIII. Bourbon resolutions-Census-Governor's communications, and Legislative proceedings-Mr. Jefferson, president of the United States-Circuit Courts abolished-New Orleans, port shut-Louisiana bought-District and General Courts abolished, and Circuit Courts established-Greenup, governor—Mr. Jefferson again president-Colonel Burr visits Kentucky-"Western World," published; Sebastian's pension-Burr's Intrigue-Various proceedings-Observations, &c. &c. [1800.] IN the annals of 1800, it is thought, may be inserted, notices of a meeting of a portion of the citizens of Bourbon county; whose avowed object, was to take into consideration, the alarming situation of the country, occasioned by the great scarcity of MONEY; and to prevent, as far as possible, the "total ruin" of the citizens, by abstaining from a destructive intercourse with merchants. And to effect it, these good citizens entered into various resolutions--the first, and most im portant of which, is, as follows: "That after the first day of April next, we will not purchase from merchants, traders, or others, any of the following enumerated imported manufactured articles, to wit: woollens, linens, cottons, silks, hats, shoes, saddles, sugars, or liquors, (wine for medicine excepted) unless the same can be purchased and paid for, in articles of the growth or manufacture of this state." This is not exactly a non-intercourse with the atlantic states; even if it had been general, while it is believed to have been but very partial; it is, however, a proposed mean, in effect, for banishing money, from the country, under the absurd idea of rendering it more plenty, by starvation, or barter. As if to render money useless was the way to make it plenty. It may be true, that before money was brought into use, ex. changes, constituted the barter, or traffic, of rude tribes of uncivilized men. With money, of whatever it was made, commenced merchandise--for then there was a common measure, by which to regulate exchanges, and to liquidate balances. Money, being once recognised, as the measure of the value of things, became hence their equivalent-in reality, their representative, and substitute: and by consequence, the object of desire, with all men, and in the same proportion, a stimulus to their industry, care, and ecomomy. Not as a thing which they could eat, drink, or wear, or which would directly gratify any one appetite; but, either directly, or indirectly, convertible into any thing, and every thing, that a man could desire. How to obtain it, has therefore been a subject of perplexing inquiry, with political economists, and superficial legislators, in most civilized nations, for ages. The prudent man knows, that it is effected by industry, and care, under a government whose administration ensures punctuality in payments; and that otherwise, it eludes every inquiry. In vain, are non-importation and non-consumption associations, or laws. Absurd are combinations against merchants. Compel those who consume, to pay for what they buy, and their intercourse with merchants will never injure them; although they deal not in the exchange of articles, but sell for money only. Leave it to the grower or manufacturer of the article, and his merchant, to settle the terms of their dealing; and it will be adjusted, to their mutual convenience. To limit consumption, or restrain commercial intercourse, between citizens of the same country, with the view of making money plenty, or of preventing the ruin of the people, is a mistake in policy, of the grossest kind. The people need but one sumptuary law; and that may be written in two words, “Pay punctually." The next resolve of the Bourbon meeting, is the result of sound sense; they say, "We will encourage the raising of sheep, the cultivation of hemp, flax, and cotton-and promote home manufactures of every kind:" which with the addition of four words as far as prudent," would have been perfectly unexceptionable. But there is no danger of too much being done in pursuance of the course suggested. It was not generally adopted then— nor even yet, is it overmuch practised. On the 1st of June it is to be remembered, the second, called the new, constitution of Kentucky, took effect: it may be said, without even an emotion, much less commotion. The last governor, under the first constitution, was elected to the same office, under the second; the lieutenant governor, a new officer, and ex-officio, speaker of the senate, who was Alexander S. Bullitt, and also the members of the general assembly, had been elected also at the same time, agreeably to the ordinance of the convention, without opposition to the change. Such is the benign influence of the great republi can principle of free states, "that the will of the majority expressed according to the constitution, is the law of the land, to which all are in duty bound to submit." This is the principle, which every citizen of Kentucky should impress upon his own heart, and upon the heart of his son. It is the equivalent of declaring unconstitutional laws, void; and of admitting the constitution, to be paramount, to all acts of the legis ture; and although alterable by a majority of the whole people, yet in no other way, than that prescribed in the constitution. Give these principles complete effect--place them under the guarantee of good faith, supported by adequate penal sanctions, with a firm executive, and judiciary, to enforce them, and a constitution may be preserved, without difficulty, as to good citizens, and in defiance of the bad. Than which, nothing in political science, nor in social intercourse, is more important. It is the foundation of confidence; as the constitution itself is the foundation of all legal obligation; contradistinguished from moral obligation. Why is moral obligation, ever during and ever binding, on mankind, in all situations? It is, because it has its foundation in a perfect and permanent law, prescribed by our creator. Being a constitution of cause, and effect, which requires no amendment, and which no majority can alter. While the obligation of that, which can be altered, may be impaired, perverted, or annihilated. And hence the importance of giving to the constitution of government, all the sta bility of which it is susceptible. Not only because it is itself a Compact, in which the whole people have agreed with each man, and each man with the whole people, that they reciprocally will keep it inviolate on their respective parts; but, because, a violation, implies a disregard of a solemn promise, and evinces a breach of good faith. Again-This original contract may be considered as the prolific parent, whence springs every other contract, between man and man, having a legal existence, or obligatory force; while the validity, the effect, and value, of these obligations, depend essentially upon the stability, it may be said the inviolability, of the constitution; and that, upon the reverence and awe, which are entertained habitually, for this primary compact, by the majority of the people with whom it may ultimately rest, to alter, amend, or violate it, with impunity. From these considerations, may be perceived, the immense importance of cherishing an invariable respect for the constitution, and of carefully abstaining from any, and every, infrac tion of its rules, both affirmative, and negative. This reflection can but derive great additional weight from the admonitions of experience-which teach, that those who disrespect their constitution, have but little regard for contracts of any kind, which they can evade. And when a majority of those who make the laws, are contemners of contracts, both public and private, the state, or nation, for whom they legislate, must be sustained by a miracle, if it does not fall into discredit and decline, shame, and embarrassment. The new constitution, compared with that which it superseded, exhibited several material alterations, in conformity to the spirit of democracy, which had demanded the change; and which are worthy of observation. The great objection to the for mer constitution, was to the aristocratic features, as they were absurdly called by the jealous and envious demagogues of the day, who produced the change, because they had not the merit or patience to become governor, or senators, when they were to be chosen by men of intelligence acting on oath. The people at large, and especially the most intelligent part of them, were well contented with that part, which introduced electors, chosen by the people, for the purpose of choosing a governor, and senators, and which was accused of aristocracy. A term of odious import in America universally, and in Ken tucky particularly: often maliciously applied, to those who have become distinguished for having more land, or money, than the generality of their neighbours; unless they are very liberal towards those who choose to call themselves, and be called, démocrats; and moreover, if they possess talents, with riches, they are to devote them also, to the use of the democracy, in order to obtain its favour. They are then taken into the bosom of the order, and stand secure from the application of this obnoxious term, "aristocrat," however rich, enterprising, or assuming, they may be. A term, the more obviously and grossly abused, as there is nothing in the constitution, or in the country, that bears any affinity to aristocracy: unless it is, that some men, are distinguished for having more lands, or money, than the generality of the community; which seems to be an unavoidable consequence of the structure of society, where industry is rewarded, and property even promised protection: and which may with equal propriety be applied to those members of the community, who have in a higher de gree than common, either talents, or learning, or knowledge. But why, in a community, where industry and frugality, are universally pursued, with the laudable view, as it is thought, of bettering conditions, and of acquiring riches, those who have succeeded, should be nicknamed, and abused, by those who have failed in the same pursuit, is only to be accounted for by the envy, jealousy, and malice, inherent in man's nature; and which, a race of beings, common to all democratic republics, called demagogues, incessantly stir up, for election eering purposes, in the minds of the less informed part of the community; who very willingly take the name of democrats. And hence the term "aristocrats," which means in Europe, a "privileged order;" though having no place in the United States, has been introduced, and applied here, as the opponent, and the adversary, of the term "democrats," or "people without privileges." Whereas, in Kentucky, they are "the people with privileges;" if having equal political rights, with out equal property, or interests, and the actual control of the government, may be ranked as PRIVILEGES. And surely, they $* VOL. II. 1 |