Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1818-06-12
STATE RIGHTS.


Nothing can be more gratifying than
TO learn, that concurrence of opinions
on great national POINTS exist between
men OF judgment and in power-thai rea-
son trlumpbs over prejudice, and that "A
regard for the sacred principles of the
constitution IS paramount to local inter
ests OF personal views. The following
extract is from the speech of Gov. Brooks,
OF Massachusetts, and ii developes The
opinion OF statesman on The question
relative 10 The powers of congress 10 ap-
proprlate money for the internal improve.
ment of the states. The extract is uor-
thy oil attentive perusal: N. Y. Adro.
EXTRACT.
IL is not deemed necessary, on this
occasion, TO advert TO considerations.
which have only an indirect bearing on
The subject i'll question. Whatever agcn-
ey Massachusetts may have had in esta-
biishng the National Government or
however great her sacrifices or valuable
her contributions in supporting lis exist
ence and efficiency, in tile spirit of ami,v
ana accommodation which produced the
compact, we concede that she enjoys
an equivalent and in estimating and re-
munerallng her contributions and various
efforts for the public defence, she asks
only the same measure of justice and euu-
ty, that has been observed, for analogous
expenditures, towards her sister states.
That the constitution of The United
States has been productive Of the most
! beneficial effects that the blessings re-
| sultng from it have transcended the Ill
most hopes the sages " no formed and
| the states which adopted il, are subjects
Of high graduation and JOY, and of de-
Vout gratitude TO that Being who rules a.
mong the nations. But to insure a con-
tlnuance OF its beneficial effects, the prin-
cipies upon which it was founded must
be maintained In their purity. The prima.
ry apprehensions of many of its friends
which arose from an imagined mhecility,
IN lis STRUCTURE have subsidized and the
severe trials II has sustained. sufficiently
demonstrate IFS lone and vigour. The
proofs OF its strength, however, have been
intermingied with admoniiioms of lis ten
dency 10 accumulate power bv refinement
and construction and should the time
arrive when The sovereignty of the states
shall be merged IN the general govern
meni, tie catastrophe must probably be
effected bp fhe extension of constructive
prerOgatlves. Whatever difficulties NAV
occur IN drawing line between those
rights which have been surrendered. and
those which are retained by the states. il
is 10 be remembered, that on every cues
ton of doubtful import, touching The dis
trIbuIion power, a favorable coBstruc
ton is due 10 the individual States, under
provision, sacred as it is decisive: that
all powers not expressly given are with
held.
In support oft,is doctrine which deem
essential TO the preservation of the true
nature OF our institution of government,
1t Is highly satisfaction: to me 10 be able
10 cite the opinions of the President of
the United States, and of his immediate
predecessor. The opinion of the latter
was expressed III giving his negative, d
mong the last acts OF his administration,
to Dill that had passed both houses of
Congress, on the subject of making aD-
preparations for roads and canals. A.
mong the reasons he assigns for exeT-
cislng the right ofnegsiive, he observes
that sucha power is not expressly given
by the constitution, and that if cannot
be deduced from any part Of il without
an lnadinlslble latitude of construction :;
aud believing also, that the permanent
success OF the constitution depends OH a
/ definite partition of powers" And the
fies ldeEt, IN lis message at the opening
al Tie late session OttlIe national legisia-
ture, expressed a concurrent opinion on
Tie same constitutional question, upon
| the ground That Congress do not pos.
scss Tie right assumed in the bill that i;
10 not contained IN any of the specified
/ powers granted TO Congress nor" the
| President adds, can | consider if incl
| dent 10, or as Il necessary means, for car
| rlng into effect any Of the powers spe-
Cifit ally granted" Further 10 illustrate
tins important subject, and at the same
time 10 point out the legitimate mode OF
| acquiring power III instances where the
distribution Of il may be equ,o Deal, the
message adds, that " in cases Of doubt
Iul construction. il COMFORTS with the
nature and origin OF our institutions,
and will contribute much 10 preserv e
them, TO apply 10 our constituents for an
explicit grant of power"
Under this aspect, IT must weld us the
highest satisfaction 20 reflect, that constr
iullonal principles bear with paramount
weight OH our national councils: and for
bearing, on my part, TO inteTpose au o.
plnlOn on the subject Of illusion, we may
ieci confident, that while The great and
vital provisions of our constitution are
thus ieuderIy and watchiully guarded,
the rights OF the states and the liberties
of the people vii! remain unimpaiTed."
LAW CASE
NEW YORK, June 5.-On Wednesday
,saY trf-,l ,ff