Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1822-02-02
TO THE EDITORS OF THE ENQUIRER.
WORD TO THE WISE.


1t appears by the public prints, that Ken
lucky has sent two of her most distinguished
citIzcns on ii mission To negotiate with this
commonwealth, as to certain questions which
grow out of the compact between the two
states. In relation to the points which NAV
be Involved in the discussion about to TAKE
place, IT is not my purpose TO say any thing
conided as the subject is TO gentlemen of dis
unSushed ability, there is no doubt it will be
presented to our legislature in form calcti-
lated to develope its merits There can be
no question, presume, that whatever NAV be
the result TO which the legislative BODY NAV
come, they will listen with that respectful at
teDtIon to the views which the gentlemen del
egated by Kentucky will present TO it, which
IS due TO the high ard patriotic character of
the state which deputies them, and to their
own standing and talents. There is one as
Pect,In which this mission is highly interesting
TO those who are attached to the preservation
OF the state sovereiSnties, and il is on this topic
only that 1t Is my intention TO trouble Won at
present. 1t is practical recognition tina, the
states are in truth parties to the.federal com,
pact, that they have rights to maintain. and
subsIsiing sovereigntics TO defend. 1t points
our, pretty distinctly too, the course which il
may be essential 10 pursue, when any question
Shall arise in which the states are Interested.
and marks the most ready mode Of obtaining
redress. Kentucky complains that a system
of policy pursued by her for a number Of
years, III which hundreds of her citizens are
deeply interested, is about to be subverted by
an opininn which is entertained, and has been
once expressed by The supreme court. Now
the shoe begins 10 pinch. Now does the called
Jade vince. What have we been saving 10
Kentucky Tor some years past The supreme
court have given to the constitution n con-
structiOn, which enables congress TO pass anv
laws they deem to he expcdient, and have i'm
putrd to their own tribunal the exclusive 8, final
right TO decide on all constitutional questions
by this power SO assumed, that court has in a
variety OF instances interfcred with and para.
lyzed the municipal regulations of the states
Kentucky and some of the western site,
haYelent TOO easy an ear to these alarming doc
trlnes of the advocates of IatituIinous con
struction of the constitution. Their soliritude
lOI roads, canals, and internal improvements
has made them lose sight of the dangerous
consequences resulting from those alarming
powers claimed by the federal authorities. II
IS true that II is important to have good roads.
and safe and convenient navigation but il is
sill more so TO retain the sOvereignty. and
the soil itself or what avail are the splendid
and magnificent roads OCancient Rome They
have long survived the liberties aud indcpcn-
dence Of the country which constructed them.
But this is not mentioned in anger towards
Kentucky. There is no man out ofthat state.
more attached to il, or who admires its high
and patriotic character more, than he who
now addresses you. IL is to be hoped That
the evils she now experiences, however the
subject may be disposed Of, will bring her to
consider The importance Of adhering to the
true principles of the constitution of conced-
ing to the federal authorities the power, and no
more, that IS conferred by the federal compact.
and OF making common cause with Virginia in
obtaining such amendments 10 The federal con
stitution as will remove all pretence 10 future
for The exercise Of authorities not Intended To-
be given. II this course be not pursued. II
Will turn out that all the municipal regulations