Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1817-12-27
REFORM on ROADS AND CANAIS.
To tie EditCa' Of he Enquirer.

~ preparedness on Sp ihttch Ui Tue
fresiuenis message, as relates 10 roads,
canals, and Summaries OF learning"
hdsere&d II with apprehension and alarm.
see in it, the commencement OF a sys-
TEN, which is 10 cad in the complete con-
soiitiaiion OF our coniedcracy. see that
the RubIcon Is passed, by tins section of
TIE House oi Representatives. see thai.
III The teeth OF the twelfth article OF the
amendments To the constitution, Congress
are TO exercise power not delegated TO
the United States, by the constitution"
anu which are, consequently, reserved
to The states respectively, or TO the peo-
pie The sequel Of this report, pre-
sumo, wsll siiew that Congress are to lake
care otour seininaries ol |. alnny. also. II
the time shall ever come, Mr.. Editor.
when all the subjects of an ordinary cha
racier, are taken from the slate govern
ments and pat into other hands Il ihry
shall, no longer have ANY schools, roads.
canals, or bridges 10 aci upon, the state
governments VIII TALL, oi course, as being
equally unnecessary and expensive!
This measure OF the committee, which
deem so unfortunate, can oaly have "a
risen from the pToneness OF all men, TO
extend and abuse their power-to feel
power and forget right. Il has arisen, too.
IA tins case, most enphaiicaly, from the
greatness OF the stake which is in Ques-
ton The subject is admitted by the com
nlliee, 10 be one OF the most nOmentouS
interest To their constituents. That inle-
resi, winie II accounts for the great zeal
manifested by The committee in this In
staHce, places them in the predicament Of
interested judges. 'fhey are not impartial
enough 10 form correct judgment on the
question. The direct interest involved in
the decision of II, one way, completely
oDliterates vision, already dimmed by
the possession of power. 1t detracts from
the weight OF the report, by showing that
ITS authors are giving evidence in their
OlcH cause.
To this frailty of human nature, and
not 10 any want OF ability in the commit
tee, is TO be ascribed the extreme weak
ness OF their conclusions, and of their ar
suments. 1t is from this cause they have
transcended the far liaiiis of the consti-
tuition, both as resulting from the face of
that instrument, and as It's construction
was settled by the HatiOn, after great
struggle, and on the basis of which, IA
lone, the republicans were brought into
power.
In circumstances so awfully portentous
and alarmng-when the liberties, al least,
of TINS nation are III peril, it behoves eve
ry citizen 10 throw III his mite. Some sem
tence OF idea may perchance escape him,
which may arouse our countrymen from
their fatal lethargy, and rescue this last
citadel from destruction. Would TO God
that could convince myself, that these
were but the visions of heated imagina-
ton. They are sober and awful realities.
do not say that these evils have as vet.
come upon Us, lii their full extent; but
the germ IS laid, IN the report now before
US. Ii will be improved OIL and extended
hereafter. The successors OF this Con-
gress will plead ats precedents, in favor of
other and more daring invasons of the
constitution. Future violations of that
instrument will be justified by the infrac-
ton now IN question:, in the same way
that our committee have bottOmed this
measure upon the supposed iniracllons of
their predecessors. The remnant of the
slate-righlS will be wrested from us, not
OH The ground of right but of precedent,
and because others OF them had been be-
fore assaulted and carried !-Fhese evils
have not yet got their fall growth but
OJStd priHeipiiS, Is my maxim: and gCOe he
20 that people who expect 10 preserve
their liberties on any other principle!
1t is my purpose, Mr.. Editor, to attempt
seine examination of tie report in ques-
.tion-bui before do so, will make a
few remarks upon the nature and charac-
ter OF OR government
1t is TO be recoleCied that the govern
mcnt of the United States, is not a sole
and consolidated government. The gov
ernments of the several states remain in
fall force, IN all their parts and powers,
except as they are impaired by specific
grants of power, TO the general govern
s1aut Tho 10 tyoyarumnufc uro 90
sential to preserve the liberties and per-
sOnalrights of their citizens, as is the fe-
derdl government TO secure the general
safety of the union. In place of one grand
consolidated government, we have tie
happiness 20 have federal republic; a
government which conSuis as well the III
terDai freedom, as the external safety Of
our people. The state governments are
an essential part Of the system They
are best calculated TO ptemote the local
wants and interests of their constituents
and give To them the general benefits Of
civil government. The national govern
meut is best adapted, on the other hand,
TO concentrate the force OF the union, pro-
mote tie general defence and eifectuafe
all The other purposes for which il WAS
instituted. These powers, in their Just
extent, no frend to his country can wish
to see impaired or aunillllaled.
There is another difference between the
Two goyerninenis--and that IS that while
tie states are in possession of the general
powers Of Legislation, the government or
the union can only exercise such ~ are
delegated. | will 20 further, and say, that
the principles Of the constitution of the
United States, are less 10 be considered
as new principles, than as an expansion of
those contained IA the former articles ct
confederation. The authority OF Mr..
Hamilton OF this subject, (e) viii not be