By advices from Poughkeepsie, we learn, that a number of the Anti— federal members in Convention insist upon the adoption of the new Constitution, in a conditional mode—others are willing to adopt it in toto, and to instruct their members in the Federal Congress to press the amendment of the system, agreeably to their recommendation. This latter sentiment appears to be most rational, and, we trust, it will ultimately prevail; that our country may be rescued from the horrors of anarchy and confusion.
We are further informed, that on Saturday last, the Honorable Mr. Jay, Chancellor Livingston, and Colonel Hamilton, severally addressed themselves to our State Convention, in a masterly, animated and pa— thetic [i.e., moving] manner; which, it is said, made sensible impressions on the minds of such anti-federal members, who have not yet rendered their conceptions entirely callous, by pre-conceived prejudice, to the voice of truth—to sound and eloquent reasoning. In our next, it is probable, we shall be able to declare the interesting decision of the Convention, on this important business.
Before Nine States had adopted the New Federal Constitution, the ground of argument on that subject was very different from that on which it now stands.
Then, there was hope of procuring amendments thereto, before its operation:—Now, all hope of that sort has vanished.
Then, the federal compact among the States, under the old Confederation, was entire and unimpaired:—Now, there is in fact a secession of Ten States from the old Union, whereby the others are left to shift for themselves.
Then, those who voted against the New Constitution, only preferred the old one, or a chance for another:—Now, those who vote against the New Constitution, vote themselves out of the New Federal Union, which may be considered as inchoative.
1Those, therefore, who had rather adopt the New Constitution, with its defects, under a prospect of future corrections, than hazard the consequences of being repudiated from the Grand American Confederacy, will give their voices accordingly now, whatever part they may have taken heretofore.