Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1822-02-05


RICHMOND. FEBRUARY 5, 1892.
For THE ENQUIRER.
Yet, RErupLicANs l greatly fear that
g your sins have overtalen you. | deeply re-
greet that you are found sleeping at your
posts, and that " you could not watch one
hour greatly fear that the day ofretri-
buti"n IS at hand The sceptre of power is,
F" fear, about to depart from beneath your
feet."-f'he leaders of that party, who were
shern of their political ascepdancy in the
year 1901, are again beginning to bestir
themselves. The hair of these federal Samp-
sons, has again begun TO grow, and, with it,
their power and their strength. They are
hoping, with great glory, to bring their van
pushed party, once more, into power. They
are bowling themselves, with all their might,
to overthrow the Temple of Dagon, and
will at length, l fear completely avenge
=" themselves, of their political adversares.
+" Woe be to the unhappy Philistines who
shall be crushed beneath its fall.
"ALGERNoN Sidney"
10 The Editors Of Ike Enquirer
have heard, with pleasure, Messrs. Editors,
OF the resolutions offered by Mr.. Epps, pro-
posing amendments to the constitutions These
amendments are only explanatory of that in
strument; contain nothing neio are only cal
cuiated To correct enormous abuses of that
constitution ; and are a sine 9uG non of the
preservation of our confederacy.
For example :-one of them, If Tam rightly
informed, limits the incidental authority of
congress, to such powers as are absolutely ne
cessary and proper, to carry into effect, the
granted powers. Without this explanation
and restriction, that legislatures, under the
a la O.,
exercise all such powers as are, any how, or
IN any degree, "erpedient or Conducive to-, the
end proposed. This latitude of construction
covers III fact all powers whatsoever /; COM
pietely does away the limits, prescribed by the
constitution and converts the general gov
ernmcnt, into one of unlimited authority!
Another of them goes to prevent a sove-
reign state from being " dragged" to the bar of
the federal court,-even by u writ of error
except in controversy with another state. 1t
goes to declare, more explicitly, principle
held sacred by all foreign states, that they
shall not be sued at the bar of another state,
and to give force and effect to the eleventh ar
tele ofthe amendments 10 the constitution =
which, indeed, was before sufficiently clear
Another of them goes to deny to the gene
raj government, Tor its departments, the pow
er to pass, conclus,reiy, upon the rights of the
other parties to the compact. 1t goes to pre-
vent the big fish from swallowing up the little
ones. 1t goes to assert that we hare real
constitution. 1t does this by denying to the
federal court the power to mould and model
it exactly as they please.
Another-goes to prohibit construction,
which gives an appeal from the supreme
court of state, to that of the United States.
The constitution gives il not, either expressly,
or by Il far implication-vou court of appeals
has solemnly so decided, on great considera-
ton. Oar legislature SO decided, in their pa
triotic protest, ofthe last year. The executive
have so decided, in employing counsel to re-
slst the principle, in the case OF C0hens. And
the people of this commonwealth are beIiey-
ed to entertain, almost unanimously, the same
opinion.-Wherefore then, shall not this prn-
ciple, thus violated, he again declared, and
made more plain? A relaxation from il, ope-
rates like screw, which will destroy the
confederation,.andw rest from " the states and
the people" the powers secured to them, by
the 10th amendment to the constitution.
And another goes to meet and reprobate
the principle of the decision in Cohen's case.
1t goes To declare, that the laws or ordinances
OF the petty district of Columbia, shall not be
executed within the states, against the consent
of the legislatures thereof, When those laws
violate justice, rested rights, or the moral or
fiscal policy of the said states.-However we
may be disposed to bow the neck to the ge-
neral government, we ought TO resist this C.
norDlouS pretension in this petty corporation.
If iii submitted to, we have no longer any
tdWs or any legislatures, within the several
states.
j trust that the Legislature will with wisdom,
and with m Liberation, propose these, or such
like amendments to the constitution, before
they rise.--They are indispensable to the pre-
seryation of our government, as federdt one.
Let us take courage from the illustriOus sue
cesscs of our predecessors in former times.
Let us not, now, Disgrace the old Dominion.
Let us act like patriots, and act, in this case,
more majOrUm.
know, Messrs. Editors that there are
many who are ready 10 bend the knee to alb
sOlute power, and desert the standard of re-
publican principles: but, trust, there is yet a
great majority, who are true 10 the glorious
principles of l799.----For myself, ] am
ready to die in the last ditch, in defence OF
our beloved confederation. am prepared
to subscribe myself, il it is so dccreed,
The lostof the Republicans"
VJRGLVL4 LEGISLATURE
PROCEEDINGS OF TIE HOUSE OF DELEGATES
Friday FEB. lit was Mr. Mayo, If Hen.
rico, who moved to refer Mr.. Morriss's reso.
luton TO select committee tss stated in our
last
An epgrossed bill "inposing taxes for tn.