The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1812-05-15

the memorial are to persuade and obtain a
repeal OF the Embargo law. Is this house
prepared to repeal that law ?. Or are the
members thereof prepared to excite a con-
tinuance of the delusory hopes which seem
10 prevails From whence have these hopes
arisen Let those, if any such there be,
who excited those hopes, be responsible for
the effects. If any section of citizens will in
such case act, with themselves be it if in
Jury occurs by conduct bottomed on par
ticuiar opinion-an opinion contrary to
the reason of things, persevered in also
against evidence, the laws are not censura-
BILE.
In this memorial the word rulers is used.
1T by this word is meant the Congress. Exc.
cntive and Judiciary of the us, or either
OF them, 1t is apprehehded that the use of
that term in that Specification, however we'll
II may apply to any foreign government,
can nave no relation to the government of
the Us. 'or to any departments of tina; go
vernment. They who administer the said
several departments, and perform the du
ties belonging TO each of them, are the re-
Presentatives, not the rulers, of the people.
Inc people are sovereigns, from them ema-
mates all power; they are the true rulers
they create & annihilate the power held by
those whom the memorial deslgnates rulers.
1t appears difficult TO eradicate ideas spring.
ing from monarchiCal principles, and more
especially If the mind is habituated to the
contemplation of them. The word rulers in
the sense used in the memorial is abhor-
rent to the constitution of this government
land itwoull be well, if the use of it in
that sense was omitted.
hat all popular governments are bottom=
ed on the people, and ought to be exercised
ior the good OF all, is political axiom as
old as the existence of popular governments
Whatever the number of periods of popu-
lar governments heretofore have been, the
government of the United States at the pre-
sent day appears to be the only existing po-
puiar government consequently, to 1t is ap-
plicabie IN peculiar manner, that it ought
to be exercised for the good of all. The in
tsrest and benefit of the greatest number
are therefore to be contemplated and che
rlshed, although that might produce some
partial i'll. This will apply to nearly every
law enacted, and such application is not
new. The embargo law has been for seve-
raj weeks in operation /; and if the opinion
OF the citizens relative to that law is to be
formed by comparison ofthe numbers petit
tionlng against the embargo law, with the
numbers OF those who have not petitioned, the
inference is, that the great body of the people
al etsatisfied that the law is expedient, be-
oaufe tue NUMBER petltlonIng is small indeed,
ana bears little proportion to the numbers
VINO nave not petitioned. Hence it follows
that there is evidence, manifesting that
the embargo law contains principle opera
ting Tor the general good. At the time the law
alluded to was enacted, they who were in ia
vor OF 1t believed that it would operate for
the interest OF this nation; that it would to
certain extent be means of preserving
american seamen from slavery, and the
property OF American citizens from robbery
that 1t might operate as a cautonary no.
mercantile, +ho A..
the times were dangerous, and advising not
10 hazard men or property on the ocean
once the day that law was made, no Cir
cumstance has occurred to alter or change
the reason OF the law, or 10 Shew thai it
oughtto be repealed. Almost every day
brings information that seamen are impress
ed, and property, neutral property Of this
natlon, unlawtully and wrongfully taken
1t Is III the mean time admitted, that the law
wan more or less affect every section of the
Union But it is presumed, that its oDerati-
on will effect national benefit. more espe-
cially when it operates as a preparatory to
war. 1t, is urged, that the language used
III the memorial is respectful, and that the
are very respectable. All that
Is admitted, but that will mott go to prove that
the prayer OF the memorial ought to be
granted. ltprays for a repeal or modifica.
ton OF the embargo law, because of the
great quantity OF produce shut up in a par
ucular section. 1t would be gratifying in
deed IT the case was otherwise. But this is |
one OF those circumstances which generally
are consequential to laws of a similar ma |
ture, and which when put in competition
with the general safety will partially re-
nam until the proper remedy is applied
IL is true, that the motion goes to set aside |
the memorial, but for that it is not a denial |
OF relief the national Legislature |
viii no doubt give that relief which the pre- |
sent state OF things requires, and it is hoped |
enat the memorIalists will confide in the Lee |
glslature of this Union, that the proper re-
medy at proper time will be applied.-l
this nation will be ready or not to !
go TO war within 60 days, is not at present
necessary to undertake to show. This consi- |
derat1on IS respecting a motion 20 postpone a |
memorial, q does not necessarily involve the !
question OF being prepared to go to war. Lit |
tie oy me- said Mr. X. as yet has been said on
the subject OF ware at present it is no. !
deemed necessary; day may be when j.
may be otherwise.
1t is urged that they do nor belieUe that
the United States can 10 TO qoar. We'll, if
They do not believe, and will act ACCORDING
ty, with themselves be it, on themselves be
the consequence. Several laws have been
enacted during the PRESENT session, bearing
strong evidence in themselves, that they
are preparatory TO war, carrying with them
also evidence that the u. States can 20 TO
war at a time when the unprovoked injuries
inflicted by foreign nation renders war ne
cessary--but they will not believe that the