The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1823-09-12

latter is in addition subjected To restraints |
which guard against their undue exer-
else, we are almost constrained to admit, |
that all admiration Of such a system must
originate IN a hlind and uncunqnrrA1lf par
lialiiy for monarchy ITSELF But, upon esa-
minatun, we shall lind that these powers, 80
I I'm udoars on paper, cannot be exercised
without the assent of parliament ; because
thai hads holds the putsc-s'rlngs OF The
naiion. The popular branch Of that body,
morr particularly, has II IN rs power To
nrevrui the exercise of tlicse powers, 10y
/ etlnsiug Ia grant the necessary resources.
| In be- said, thu the House Of Commons
! has almea, aad Is onw 80 corrupt, that The
ceunier,aiiiug pewcrs which are placed ~
/ is hands are merely negative, thai IS no
argument against the system itseli, but
merely provre the liability Of all human
institutions, IL the progress Of lime, To adj
MI abuse. No man can deny, that the
British constitution IS stuprndons nonu-
mHnt III wisdom and that, until the ter
period OF our osD revolution, and the m
proseurnt which we have made upon II,
for il will be admitted HAT orr c0nstliu-
ton Is founded upon the same general prln-
ci1,s though il varies essentially IN lis de-
fails n Wa rs highly pllzrd for the free.
dom wlilch It guaranteed I" the SUBJECT, as
even our own Justly priced constitution
w do nj int.nd 10 say thai the British
constitution Is n perfect as our own. We
know thai IT would nnt be entitled Is that
llgh praise even II abuses, the growth OF
lgcs, had nut crepl IN, aud almost entirely
81, In - nrtrnul uplI
But wIi.n we speak of ht constitutions we
leave ont of view entirely the,operdtioH OF
lis provisions, aud tls perpeYs,ons, OF IFS
original intent, which prosre ,sisc eaeroAce
ments upon its Fundamental doctrines, have
made. The King Of England, 10 true,
decides on peact or Tcr, aud makes treaties
with foreign nations on such terms as he
plrascs. But, thu sword cannot be witldcd
without aid from the purse A; and he cannot
dip his bands into the treasury without
special act of parliament. Nor ran treaties
be always carrl.l lnio effect without the
sanction of that body. THIS check has
been always the rneans Of preserving the
rights Of the English people. The maxim
taught IN that instrument, that ia. hmg
can do wrong," sId which has been the
causr of SO much cavll against Mr.. Adams,
~ having sanctioned II, with the extensive
and odions Specification which It bears On
II, face, cannot br eApllined more briefly
& at the same time more fully, than IN the
words o. De Lolmc--" II does not tsays
he) signify that the King has no power Of
doing i'll, or as II was pretended BY certain
persons III more ancient times, that every
thing he did was lawful but that he is
above the reach of all courts OF Law whate-
ever, and that his person Is sacred aud III.
ylollble'--thus shifting the responsibility
from his own shoulders To that his min.
sttrs aud confidential advisers. Nothing
is by this lost TO the people. Under the
operation of tins constitution, too, the In
giish people are certainly more free than
their European ncighhors. In theory, the
rights ofpropcrty, and personal security are
guarded with a jealousy and care unknown
in rny of the ncighboring nations ana in
practice we have seldom seen these fuuda.
mental principles of all good governmont
violated OF disrcgarded. Where, then, IL
the munslIous crime of ressrenclng this
instrument Can we not respect IT, and at
The same time be more attaohedto our otcn2
This charge, bearing on its front the gros-
sest absurdity would never have been rak.d
from the Kennels To which Mr. Adams
enemies resnrt for their grounds Of opposl-
ton To him, if he had no, had the presulnp-
lion to come in competition with the pre-
tensions Ut Mr.. Crawford. We should ne
Yer havr heard this allegation brought for
ward against him rs a proof of his devotion
II nonarchjcaI principles, did he not, las Il
late cssaylst well expressed IT. stand a
living busbclr To Mr. Crawford, in his mea-
surcd strides TO power" Mr.. A. has mani
tested his respect for the constitution of his
own country-hc has shown determine
ton To guard that liespcrian fruit" aud
we are content Our object in this number
was not 10 show thai Mr.. Adams is not un-
! reasonably aHactei to the British constlin
tim. No man believes that he ls-But IT,
,how, that that instrument, the model oi
our own and OF all free government, rs nor
thy Of admiration.
To nE CeSTINuFp,l
" Great nloa hire othtr points If blnnce
-. Il.