Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1822-01-26

;,sis may be Goae, by means OF a writ OF err
ror when these so, ereign states are at its
bar, that court has also condemned the laws
OF tire said states, into mere non-entities even
those laws which are most salutary to the mo-
raj and fiscal economy of the said states. Ii
has even given To the acts of the legislature
Of the petty district of Columbia, force ne
yer yielded by one independent government,
to the laws OF another.-It has given To the
acts of that district, the power To control the
laws, and, in fact, nullify the legislatures, Of
every state in the Union.
And to crown the whole, that court has de-
clared the government OF the Union To be IN
effect, but one government and il has obi
terated the state governments from the face
of the constitutions. Ii has done this, by re-
viewing and reversing fhe judgments of the
supreme courts Ofthe several states. That is
no longer an existing and independent govern
mcnt, the decisions of whose supreme courts
are subject 10 this control. 1t might, indeed,
he, that the constitution has given this control
ing power TO the supreme court : But II has
not been SO given, by that Instrument. Thus
has been solemnly decided, upon great consi-
Iteration, by the supreme court of this COM
monweah and that decision has been sane
toned by both of the other departments of
the government That decision and those
Publications have, also, it is believed, received
The unqualified assent and appreciation of our
people.
In this crying exigcncy of our affairs, fellow
citizens, hope you will find time TO do some
thing for your country. lhope you will give
the go-by, If necessary, To some of the divorce
bills which are now before YOU, or some of
the bills in favor'of the free negroes. Ii yoa
have not time to do every thing, at lvist find
lime 10 do that which is the most important
of any.-Your country expects 1t nj your
hands: and, believe me, your constituents are
neither indifferent, nor amin formed, on this
great subject A general solicitude has cX-
listed, that the manly address OF our govern
or, on this subject, should be deferred TO a
committee Of the whole. This momentous
business, least, ought 60 longer 70 be de-
iayed. Your immediate predecessors have
distinguished themselves by protesting against
these alarming usurpations ; and i, is now
your business TO act.
You ought to act, fellow citizens, but TO act
with dignity and moderation. You ought, in
this respect, to follow the example OF your IL
lustrious predecessors You ought To appeal
calmly, hut powerfully, 10 the JUSTICE aud ua :
derstandngs of your fellow citizens: but let
no manner ofviolence be used. Tile time may,
indeed, c0me,when AN actual Resistance to- OPP
preston may become necessary. The cri-
sis may arrive, when we ought even TO shed
oar blood, in defence of our beloved con
federation. That time has, however, not yet
arrived, and trust in God! it never may
There is, II hope and believe, there Is,-a
redeeming spirit, yet existing in the Ameri-
can people, (which will calmly and peaceably re-
store an excellent Constitution, TO its origin
al puriiy.--I hope and believe that the Amer
ican people cordially concur with the people
of Virginia, in the noble principle contained
III the fifteenth article of our bill of rights
That principle ought TO he written, again and
again, in letters uf gold. 1t Is declared in these
words: That no free government, or the
" blessing of liberty, can be long preserved TO
"any people, but by firm adherence to jus
& tice, moderation, temperance, frugality, and
virtue, and BY FREQUENT RECURRENCE no
"FUHDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES"
So far from resoiting 10 any measures Of Il
rash character, at this time, fellow citizens,
iwould even ask nothing netc, from the Amer
lean people. would only pass declardtory
amendments TO the constitution, going To
meet and reprobate the great abuses just men
toned. II our agents do not understand
their charter, would make it more plain. l
would put the department, which has usurpcd
upon us, more clearly in the wrong. would
endearor, ii possible, TO save the rights 6 OF
the states and of the people" from utter ami
hilation.
1 would even, fellow citizens, establish IA
periodical council of censors, or ;rbtrators, TO
adjust the collisions, which are always occur
aing between the general and state govern
nents. AS to these, they must end in a
blind submission of the weaker to the strong
er party, in war or in mediation. prefer
recourse tn the latter.-A set of arbitrator
no how connected with either government
might safely be trusted, TO mediate these diff
ferences and settle these collisions. On tn,
part of Virginia. | would have our illustrious
citizens Jeftrson and .l1udiSon for our arbitra-
fors. think our citizens would be salts fed
with the umpirage of these illustrious farmers
They might, at least, make an effort toward:
a paciication but even their acts should be
also, subordinate TO the paramount POKER o
the people. Subject TO this control grea
good might arise from the measure, & no evil
If, however, there is get a valid objection Il
The establishment ofany tribunal, let the de
clarntory amendments, at least, be passed.
Before you rise, fellow citizens, ] hescechyol
TO do something, which may ward off the i'm
pending danger, and allay the rising storm.
FRANKLIN.
January, n, is22-
PETER FRANCISCO.