Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1820-02-17

VUFsTtONS InVOTvlnv' thp sOye
feignty OF the states, are allowed to be of sufi-
cient validity TO prescribe limits of dem2rcation
10 their authority, then, indeed would all the
barriers OF The constitution he Ievelled to their
foundations. This branch of the General Cow.
ernment, identified in feeling and i'm iu,e,est
wth Its other departments, will invariably
decide Gas experience has repeatedly shcwp
against the states--whose consolidation nm
one sovereignty would inevitably follow and
would prove hui short precursor 10 tbe
downfall of our liberties. Although il is admit
, teo 'hat the Judiciary of the United States has
coSni1ance OF all cases arising under the con-
stiiution, ii would be waste oi time 10 tiisntove
| ,iS authority In cases paramount 10 the constitu
,iou, involving conflicting claims to mower
y, parties 10 compact, who alone ought
| 10 be regarded as its legitimate exponnders
! appears TO be Il plain principle. (sayS the
celebrated Reportnpo the A liei, and Seditiov
| iaws,) founded in common sense illustrated
by common practice. and essential TO the nature
OF compacts; that where resort can he had In
NO tribunal superior TO the authority of the
! pa,ues: tue parties themselves must be the
rightful Judges in the last resort whether ,Lp
bargain made has been pursued ar vioI,t.J
ihe Constitution Of the United States was
formed ny the sanction of the states given by
eacn il us sovereign capacity. Ii add, 10 the
StaOity aud dignity, we'll as to the auihority
OF tue constitution, that il rests npon this
legitimate and solid foundation. Tie states
'hen, being the parties to the constitutional
compact and IN their sovereign capacity il
follows OF necessity. that there can be no trbu-
nal above their authority, 10 de eide in the last
resort whether the compact made by them be
Noia'eu; anu consequently, that as the parties
TO ~, they must themselves, decide i'm the last
resort such questions NAV be of sufficient
| magnitude to require their interposition"
mere rs another question. however upon
winch " one section of the House OF Represen-
| tatives has passed the Rubcon'-anC TO which
the foregoing observations are coualiv as
applicable, as TO the subject just under consi-
"efati"h lhe disposition which has heen
manifested by "A forced construction of the
constitution, 10 draw every possible subject of
legislation within its vortex, has given a still
iarther evidence Of it's grasping tendency in
The late attempt in Congress 10 provide toi Inc
construction OF Roads and Canals throughout
Tue United States. But whilst the frnstta ton
OF thus attempt to intermcddle with The local
pohcy OF the states, may be a subject Of con-
graduation 10 the peopie--tiey have much 10 |
apprehehd tIom The decision OF a uucstiou ,,ow
IN agitation. more vital in IT'S character than
any that has ever yet divided the peopIe of
these Stdies. Tie propositions 400 Lefore Con-
's.""" s'iu'"te 10 Tue people ot MISSOURI Ter
ritOry, terms unwarranted by The roustitntion
as condition or their admissions ip,o the
Union, aims IA most deadly blow al the soye-
reignty ct the states. Not even The solemn |
obligations of IA treaty, superadded 10 The
express supn,atiOns of our constitutional |
charter, have been able to arrest tins n:ost
alarming anu outrageous attempt. The peopIe |
OF the u. States await with painful anxiety |
the decision ct this momentous ouestIon-upoi, |
"hich TIE rights The inter eSts * The feelings OF
oil large portion OF our cont erac are ply
interviewer and identified with those of TN, |
people OF Missouri. And however sincere NAV |
he thrit disposition TO make every reasonable
sacrifice and concession which NAV be nired
! ter the preservation of our unon aud TRANQUIL
hty, there are certain rights which they cannot
and will not abandon.
There was period when strict attention to
economy IN the administration OF orr finances
and Il jealous viz lance of the Increase of the
Executive patronage, were esteemed highly
essential To the preservation of public virtue
ana public happiness. IL might reasonably
| nave been eAneCtpd that "A Inc I'D
SiSiency would have kept alive The extreme
feasibility of those who former ~ asons
were so clamorous upon these subjects. But
| iliS expectation has not been realized We
nave seen the influence and patronage of the
| chlet magistrate ei the nation most wonderful.
W itCreased-whist daily experience might
- 90 = ~; :.sSii;;yM-
| dltures during the various administrations of
! ri,s Government, has been called for i'm Con-
| gresS-which,' III Is believed viii prove 10 the
satisfaction OF the American people, that a
necessity Tor reform upon this subject is irnoe-
r!onsly required. The retr0spective Conlpeusa-
| ton bal of the last Congress (Grounied mon
| The great depreciation of money ] has draw,
| down upon IT'S advocates the indicn.tion of rho
| people, LII IS 10 be seen whether The great
aud very sudden appreciation OF our curreucv
the peculiar pressure OF the Zines npen the
puhhc treasury, and upon the nation at large
-aho the great necessity OF economy IN {, rrv
shape in WHICH il can be practised-wilI nro-
| duce any repeal OF modification of that act
| These are no Ordinary times They reouj,e
Inc
people. National extravaganza and corrnpti m
| march hand IN hand live wish therefore tn
| remain Virtuous aud free, let uS arouse from
our apathy, and arrest these evils in their
course Lei ns ~" WI witb contempt upon that
servile Disposition, which would meanIy imi-
tate the pompthe parade-the extravapance
OF foreign courts which would exchange
the manly department aud lofty spirit of tree
men, TOT me VAIN forms OF etiquette, or The
tiusel tTappings of royalty
| These cuTsory reflections NAV serve In sI,av.
how great Is The necessity OF a Constant and
rigid scrutiny into The conduct of p4bIicmeu
HE leaders ofpolitical parties are moi unfre-
| queuty actudted by motives very different
from those which auislate the great mass nj
the psOple. The former are too ant when ,hPv
feel power, to forget right" The latter are
GENERALLY disposed TO view with all dnlgeuteye
the acts of their representatives. Aud aItlio'
sudden and unexpected fluctuations ia POM
| lar sentiment may Occa Sionally take place
| from accidental cause.-the virtue and good
sense OF the people will Ultimately predom-
naie. Great and permanent revolutions in ma.
ilohal sentiment are never produced by causes
OF light and transient nature whilst violent
! usurpatlons ina free country, will invariably
excite opposiiOn-and lf frequently repeated,
VIII produce change III the form or admins
! TatiOn OF the government. " Whoever (saVs
BlackstODe) will stteutiveIy consider the Eup.
liSb history may observe, that the Hagrant
abuse ofany power by The crown or its minis
lers, has always beeu productive OF struggle !:
which either discovers the exercise OF tlIat nov
eTto be contrary to law, or Of legaD restrai,,s
u for the future" The truth OF nj. re-
marx has been fully eXen pliiied in the political
; history OF the United States The progress OF
parry spirit,a connscted with tie most pro-
iniheDt measures OF the Varions admiOis Iva Mons
OF tie government, is too we'll known 10 re
: CURE ANY further comment. The alien aud
! SeditiOnS laws sealed the dealt. warrant Of
, the political Influence of the federal party.
Aud il is too true that those tyrauuicai aud
mi rfpbI Il a.,