Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1819-03-02

februSry ., 1919.
The Legislature passed The LOTTERY
law, which Colonel TatI,am asked for,
but few days before his dea,A
Editor.
FOR THE RNQuIaER.
To TIE Freeholders Of Campbell, P,ttsyira-
mia aad Hahtar.
FELLOW CITIZENS-A season like the
present Of general peace and tranquility,
wben we are treated with amity or res
pect by every foreign power, aud party
passions no longer divide and agiia,e US
al home, is peculiarly favorable 10 re-
view OF our public affairs. III this calm,
unclouded state OF the political almos-
phere, II believes US to take vide sur
vey oil orr system OF government, exa
nine Wiai parts of lis complex machine
ry are in good order, and what need re-
oars search out these abuses which. like
weeds from tile earth, spring APP and -four
iSb under every human inSiIiution--and
guided by the lessons of experience. AS
cer,aln what we should alter or abolish,
and what deserves 10 be cherished by our
affections, and confirmed by the strong
est sanctions Of law. Such a survey is
particularly useful i'll our country, under
gong, as II always is, the most rapid and
important changes. Allow me, then,
fellow. citizens, in the character Of z de.
clared candidate, TO cab your attention
10 some subjects OF our national policy.
IL Is the distinguishing excellence of
our political system, that while the gem
erai government possesses powers on
subjects III wblch the interests of the
several states are the same, or nearly so,
each OF these is left free 10 make such
laws as touch the property and private
rights of the citizen, and 10 adapt them
10 Their several local circumstances, Their
habits and feelings. Thus, OF the sub
Ject Of domestic slavery, some of the
northern and nidJle STATES have abrosated
II altogether, while Others have passed
laws Tor lis gradual abolition. In Virgil
MIA, where no means consistent With our
safety are competent 10 abolish IL. we
have guarded against al! further increase
from importation. in NoriJ Carolina.
importation from other states is not alb.
sniuiely forbidden il is merely discour-
aged 10y lax. South Carolina, after a
huciuaing policy OH the subject, again
allows their introduction. While The
states dijior so much in their muuiciual
regulations on this subject, according 10
tier various circumstances, iiev have.
IN their confederate character, all con NJ
red III the policy and humaaiily of prohib.
iling further Importation from A!lica.
If Tie several states were so MANY dis
tnctamd unconnecied sovereigniies. The,
would, a. all history tells us, be occasion
ally involved III disputes about boumda
ries, or tOrelgn commerce, or individual
injuries, and the infinite causes Which
affect The interests or arouse the passions
OF men. These would sometimes rinen
into war; which, under any form, is The
great desirol ~ Of human happiness, and
Is not carried on with the less bitterness
and fury because il is between kindred
naiiOns. In the perpetual struggle for
performance by lie strong, aud for in
dependence by The weak, standing ar
mics, heavy taxes, large discretionary
powers, would be the consequence, until
civil liberty would be either surrendered
by The people rs sacrifice 10 their safety.
or be wrested from them by military n.
surpaioH and our country, now so
peaceful and "a free, would present the
same melancholy spectacle which is ev-
cry where exhibited in Europe, Of over
grown armies, iorfresses, barracks, and
The various instruments Of civil tyranny
--Oi the many consigned 10 poverty and
degradation, that iew mag enjoy rank,
wealth and insolence.
II, OH lhe other hand, the several states
were consolidated into single undivided
government, ihc danger TO our freedom
and happiness would be no less serious
II would be impossible 10 hold smcll
widespread commuBty together. i'm the
same political bands, without giving 80
The executive powers dangerous 10 dvil
liberty. Where all The function 4-of poiit-
teal pOwer--tlosc which affect It's inter
nal as we'll as IFS foreign c0nccrns-are
cOncrniPrcd IN one gov ernmenf, over AN
extensive aud populuus country, there
uuat necessarily be- great delegation of
legislative pOweriO The executive, and Of
eXeculiee power TO subordinate agents :;
and much OF HE power so delegated, will
be abused. Even where tie legislature
Itself acts, The majority will be moi hkGy
ioregArd, nor vet always fo know. The
local interests Of tlie ciA rent paris. 70
take tic same instance Of domestic slave
~ Can II be believed, that if this sub
leci bad been Confided To- the general 20
vernmeut, 1t would have made laws as
well suited 70 the several states "a their
own legislatures have done OF, is II not
more probable that they would have
made one uniform law for The whole ?
And IL Is sucl laws as ilc latter, that are
suited 70 majority bat mol 10 every
paFf, which lave hecH Size most fruitful
cause OF local discontents aud iDsuFrec-