Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1823-09-02

vised for the public eye, we have distinct
declaration of his views of the constitution In
speaking of il, he declares AIN ALL rmE
CHANGES OF MEN AND OF PARTIES THRo'
WHICH IT HAS PASSED, II HAS BEEN AD-
NINisrERED on THE SAME FUNDAMENTAL
Principles"
Can such sentiment be ro,,rd on the lips
of a republican Can Mr. Adams be sincere
and his friends talk about his republicanism
What is his doctrine? Why this, that batting
matters of form, in all matters of substance
there is no difference between the administra-
ton of John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson
That all the odious measures of the federal
| administration were things ONO sort of con-
sequence and received the countenance of the
republican party. Is not this superlative
Saw ever any body the like % this 2" AS Dunn
brdikes exclaims. But ludicrous as his pre-
| tensions must he on this score Mr.. Adams is
indebted to these worthy editors. for another
view absolutely amusing. They say his mode or
constituting the Constitution is precisely the
same with the most rigid friends of limited
construction. Hear him, they say, and Judge.
believe (says hr) that the Constitution of
the U. ). is one of limited powers. That some
| al these powers must he constructive | never
doubted, hut that this construction must be
hmiied WAS equally convinced-and | could
not reconcile il tn my Judgment, that the au-
thority exercised In the section Tthe Cd in the
Louisiana hill wasin the legitimate powers Of
Congress, con(ormnbiy TO The constitution"
So MIR. Adams is friend Ia state rights
When did he send in his adhesion 70 whom
To prgiaia--in the full glow and ardor of her
zeal.
Let us examine Mr.. Adams doctrine. He
believes the constitution one of limited porers
gOod--never doubted but that some of tn, Sc
| powers were constructive--very well. But is
equally convinced that this construction mast
be limited. Look back aud you will find this
a literal transcript. He begins with limita-
ton, which is opened by construction, which
is shut up by another limitation. What is
construction, and what limits it Construc-
ton is the evisceration of IA clear meaning from
IA doubtful sense, by the process of volition-
and according IL Mr.. Adams it is limited by a
Judgment oh Judgment, thou art fled, sc. of
the legitimate powers of congress, couforma-
bile 10 the cOnstiluton-TlIis is not very intel
Hglble. ii is about much so as Jenkinsun's
description of the cosmogony of the world
to the Wear of Wakefield. Yet see the use
oft 10 Mr.. Adams. 1t endows him with sail
ent " p0tCers" that have no limitation. He is
enabled To leap over every ditch and dyke in
the constitution, and execute the same move
ments in retrogradr style with the supple JOINTS
of harlequin. Thus he could not vote for
the Louisiana hill il not " legitimate
power in Congress"-why His Judgment
tcds not reconciied' 10 II. And yet he proposed
the Florida bill in similar terms, the same
measure.-~Why because his Judgment US
reconciled to it. This is rigid limitation with
Il vengeance.
In such waverinS hands can the constitution
he safe :? As well may the monarchical prin-
ciples of Pnblicola, which obtained for Mr.
A a
English noblesse and the honor of IA cita lion
from their attorney general, vic with the pure
political doctrines of Paine in the estimation of
our cuuntrymen-of that Paine, who howe, er
vIllfed and abused, history will record with
a nObIer encomium than any ephcmera and
aeeting praise PublicuIa could hestow.
Mr.. Crawford, il is said does not possess the
genius of Mr.. Adams.
Clearness of Judgment, strong intellectual
powers, evenness of temper, dignity of man
ners and character, hahiis of industry and btu
slness, a known dye of human nature, acquired
by an acquaintance with the world and men
not from the MumLing oftooks, may supply
in President of the u. s. the absence of this
Eighty and mercurial temperament. And IL
> these requisites Mr.. Crawford may take Iii
chair by the side OF Mr.. Adams, and fear 40 dis
turbance.
Mr.. Adams may perhaps round figure w i'll
more pIiable drXterity of rhetoric but Mr.
A. ii Will be recollected was once proressu
of the art. The style of MIR. Crawford is per
spicuous and unaflected-it aspires to no loft,
flourish Of the Corinthian--it is content ', iii
ITS own Doric strength and simplicity.
It's objected TO Mr.. Crawford that he vOtet
. to re-charter the Bank of the U. Sand il
his speech That he abused the great states, aut
the printers
To have voted for The Bank Of u. S. if it b,
an error, was one he shared in common witt
many would not weaken his defence b,
adding any Other individual to the two 1 an
, about 10 name. Ii WAS an error he shared IL
common with Washington whose SWORD
achieved the liberties of nerica- Mndi
son whose pen traced her constitution.
To have abused the large slates, WAS no tricl
Of Il time server--to have abused the printers
was an act ofbOrTid impiety Tor which no pos
sble Justification can be offered or attempted
But the printers will have too much mag
, nanimity to complan--like Shy'ock,' =" Kin,
sir, last week you spit upon my gabcrdne."
now part with my" good Athepian" will
ono warning word of counsel Do you re
member Missouri, aye Missouri Dmng TN
ensuing presidential term, Arkansas aud Flo
, rlda Will present themselves for admission il
the Union Would that the narrowing rs.
t, collections of the past presented no fearful
image of the future. MASON.
FOREIGN NEWS.
Il We lay very from Hayre and Gibrala
before readers Morlo has unmaskcd lie has seize