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


enctcy OF nation cCpteDding for is freedom
whilst subsequent events have unfortunately
demonstrated how very easy is the transition
from Jealous vigilance OF our rights, 10 SUI
pine 'nsensihilify upon subjects OF the deem
est interest 10 a free people
ihe'e was time when the rights of the
STATES were held TO be sacred-when the usur-
patrons OF the general government, and the
i"so'ence ot the military authority, would
lravc excited indi grafton aud alarm, i'm tbs
breasts OF onrteiiow citizens. Ii would seem
however as 1t new pr inciples and feelings we, 9
nov tue order at The day. The rights of the
s.a.eN nave been openly Observation-Disclosures
OF me FEDERAL compact no longer surprise us
Ny iheir holiness, or their novelty-and i'm
snort late sweeping decision- of the supreme
co"rt nn!ess connteracted by the timely in
'srPos'ton ot HE states may eventually un-
uetmibe tile mann pillars OF the constitution
HE peopie of the United States have viewed
these Alarming signs OF the tunes - viii, am
parent apathy and unconcern-nay more they
nave seen military chieitain trample with
impnnitl upon the civil authority. and assume
Tue Responsibility OF making war against a
natioh win whom we were al peace Sucb
IS the CRISIS nj which we have arrived.
f,incipia Don hop,ines' is said 10 be the ar
n.o,ia motto OF one OF our most disiing uisied
.".zehS. IL wonid he happy for our country
~ the sentiment which il CONVEYS. had beeu
ueePiy Impressed upon the minds. and had IN
nuehced Tie practice OF our poJi,icians and
LEGISLATORS Such however has not been the
and OF the great political questions which have
uiVided and agitated the people of this conn
Try, since the adoption of the federal consti,u-
ton' VIII prove this assertion. Ii will prove
umat hn,'' me t1derai party ceased TO be for
tneir principles-that gradual derelction of
those principles has ensued the increase ot
their power aud stability as party--thst hav-
ing oDtained the ascendancy. they have adopt.
ed in substance most OF the leading measures
ana principles which they had previously re-
prooaied IN their oppouents-and that i'm their
construction of the federal constitution. tLev
naVe III common with their rivals, assumed a
degree OF latitude which NAV be most awfnI
~ us consequences. These facts are TOO rlar
ing 10 nave escaped our observation tho tbpy
certainty have not experienced The animal.
versions which they nteIited
a., ne tIha"c,ai system 1T the government
the hrmy-the Navy-the eXpediency and
co"stitutiouaiity of Bank were among the
ieauh. questions OF domestic poIicy upou
winch the Republican party founded their on
Posi'ioh 10 Tie federal administrations. What
,h.;. oaem 'nG course OF the Republicans since
'n'ir accession To power9 There is scarcely
any species OF taxation which had he en- resort
ed TO by thpir predecessors, however odious
III us character, which they have net adopted
ahd enforced. Internal dutic. diroct ,axss
and even Excise and Stamp Laws (wnatever
opposition and excitement they NAV formerly
have occasioned,) have of late years been vcrS
nnceremonionsly imposed, aud very patiently
submitted to,
The Navy of the United States. so lon. neg.
lected aud desPised-and so frequently tn,
theme OF Republican declamatioH has fought
itSeli into notice, and united the sentiments of
all parties IN Its favour This shield and pride
OF our conntry-this wonder of the world.
this infant Hercules, still grows with on,
growth, and strengthens with our strength"
Inc violent opposition, and the extreme ZEAL
ousS winch formerly prevailed in relation 10
a Standing army, seem also TO have vanished
y nt mill
(acqulesced iu by the government) womln
seem 10 indicate that approximations upon this
subject mls hit rot be altogether uniounded
IL IS true indeed that the Hero of New Or
leans has immortalized his name, anu done
honour TO his country: And thar the giati-
luce OF bis iellow-citizens, and the admiration
OF the world, have been The high rewards
which lie has received Tor his signal services
and distinguished gallantry Bur let not the
blaze OF glory which has marked MS career, so
dazzle our sight as to blind us TO tue DARN.
entertainments, and the nigh toned insolence
OF military nsRrper. Al an early, period 1T
the Romaa Republic, ManlIus the ConSmi with
tears IN MS eyes, condemned his own son TO
death. IN the presence of his army, for diSobe-
ditnce- OF orders :" rhou hast redp~1i
iiciug my son or my country" lily " 90 go
tut alternative the iUfiexible Roman knew
but one course 10 adopt. If a high reputation
and splendid achievements are to exemut
from anmadversiou or punishment acts high
iy reprellensIble in their character, then in
deed may those who have been most conspi-
cuous for services TO their country. very mo-
perry be regarded as it's most dangerous citi-
zens. Whilst the acquiesceUce ct the govern
ment, and the submission of the people upou
this interesting subject, are deeply 10 be re-
greeted, the decisive and manly course of the
Seuate OF the u. >. has entitled that highly
respectable body to the gratitude of their conn
Try.
These are subjects, however, whic!, involved
no constitutional points OF controversy: and il
might reasonably have been expected, that
upon questions affecting the vitality of Tie
constitutions, the champions of state rirh
Mouid nave undergone no shadow OF change
Even here, too, have they be en- found wanting
They have advocated and chartered the present
Bank of the United States. Notwithstanding
the very cautious aud minute definition of tbe
powers delegated TO Congress by the S.h Sec
LIST Article of the Constitution, which has ne yer
been contended TO he any other than "A chart, :
OF limited powers Notwithstanding, that ther G
are powers therein enumerated, by no means
OF so high grade as that which would have
enabled Congress to create corporations =
Notwithstanding the we'll known influence
OF banking institutions, ard the invariable
Jealousy OF the American people of corporate
bodies and mnnopolieS of every description
which could not have escaped the observation
OF the trainers of the coustitution-and wonid
consequently have rendered any omission on
their part TO delegate such power, most
SlngulaIly unaccOuDtaDlP, 1! they could hays
had ANY such intention. Notwithstanding the
combined effect of these considerations, anC
the precautionary amendment To the consiitu.
ton, providing that " the powers not delegated
(by that instrnmenD TO the United States. no
| prohibited by ii 10 The states, were reserved tC
| the states respectively. or TO the people" And
although tie necessity ind prOprety of this hIel
act OF legislation, according TO tie true iuten
| OF those terms as mean 10 carry into efiec
| any OF The delegated powers, has never beer
| demonstrated. Regardless of all these facts
| this Legitimate offspring Of compromise o
| procple--thIs national u dra has been imposed
! upon our country, by those who OH former
occasions most strenuOusly opposed it, npOI
| constitutional grounds. VarionS ave the mode
| by which the advocates Of this measure hayt
1 SuTluHuuted the obstacles taat ,.nr, o.ns,