Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-02-13

but for short time, that arguments of this cha
racter were never very g1ciousy received ON
this floor; and especially where they were sup
posed to conflict with tdrorite or inteyesting
schemes of national policy. If there was no
thing in the measure proposed, and objected to.
offensive to the great principles of civil liberty.
or republican government, gentlemen were not
disposed to examine very nicely the po,cers be-
tween the two governments. The line between
powers surrendered and those retained, they
were not anxious to draw, provided any rood
end might be obtained, by the exercise of the i'm
mediate power claimed. We hear it daily rupg
in our ears, said Mr.. 8. that these discussions
are adte 4; that this will, and must, become a
great and splendid government; and that it
| Is Jolly to suppose, that we have not, and ought
not TO have, the power to accomplish it. Virgil
mia, too, is ridiculed and abused, for her scr1-
pies and her jealousy upon this subject. Sir.
let Inc tell this House, that the period is ap-
preaching, If it has not arrived, when constitu-
donal discussions must, and will be listened to
here. Thcpeople are getting reused, and the
| subject is coming home to the bosom of every
man. Human affections and attachments, MIR.
:. sand, had been APPLY compared to solar heat,
which decreases in proportion as it recedes from
the sun. This vas true, in relation to govern
ment. AS it extended and spread out its limits
and population, the extremities would become
weakened, and corresponding energy and power
must be given to the centre.
When the government was formed of the old
thirteen states, fears were then entertained by
many ofthe wise men who formed it, that its ter
ritorial limits were too large for single govern
nent, and that it would require too much DOW
or to govern well. What would then have been
thought, if it could have been foreseen, that in
forty years, we should have been pushing our
ltf1tf C f.,f BIO, a.
from the Seat of Government of some four or FIVE
thousand miles
Sir, is it not demonstrate that, as YOU extend
your territorial limits, the po,oer in the centre
Will, like the SNOWFALL, continue to increase :;
and thata spirit of jealousy will arise in the states
and among the people, unfrendly to the govern
ment' Do we not know that this is now the
case, and that more danger is apprehendcd
from tyranny in the head than anarchy i'm tie
ertrematies? 1t is not what might be expected !,
Do we suppose that the people are willing to a
bandon their state governments as useless cor
poratons !-thosc governments which brought
them through an age of revolution, and cheered
| them amid the gloom ola long and bloody war ;
| those governments, to which the people look up
| for the protection of their dearest rights, and
consider as the safe guard of their liberties !.
| We may hug ourselves i'll the consciousness of
possessing power which cannot be taken from
us; but the eyes of the nation will be upon us.
NO constitution, said Mr. S. possesses the power
OF preserving itself; no parchment barriers ever
did o. can preserve government: it is the vir-
tue AND intelligence of the people that we are to
look. Without this, your constitution, when
opposed to the lust of power, would be dead
letter; miserable, empty reed, dashing against
Colossus. There is, besides, no friendly third
power to decide between the states and general
| orfNx-N n
siderations ought to teach those who are rulers
in the respective governments the necessity of
caution and forbearance in the execution of their
powers-to recede from, rather than to oyerstep.
the line of separation; and to invite, rather than
TO scowl upon, constitutional discussions. 1t is
only by this course, said Mr. s. that we can pre-
serve the Union, and the Liberties and happiness
of the people. As to my own course. Mr..
Chairman, it has long since been settled.
came here to exercise my duty in good faith :;
and, whilst will not, by an improper or weak
exercise OF power, paralyze the energies of this
government, or defeat the great objects of its
creation, will not legisate into the constitution
one sclnhlla of power, OF assume even that
winch may think doubtful, TO obtain any OBJ
ject, however desirable.
Sir, said Mr.. S. | can never forget the words
OF the venerable Clinton, when, in the Senate
tering the Bank of the United States. He said
Sc In the course of long life, have found
that government is not to be strengthened bv an
assumption of doubtful po,oers, but by a wise
and energetic execution of those which arc
anco'itest'ble: the former never fails to produce
suspicion and distrust whilst the latter inspires
respect and confdence.n
These words ought to be written in letters or
gold upon your COLISEUM, and over the doors of
thus Hall; and he would go still further, (much
as he was opposed TO amendments to the consti
tuition, and despised oaths, and to the oath which
every member of this House takes 10 s,1pnort
the constitution of the United States, he would
add the words, sand neuer exercise O. doubtful
poscer."
Mr.. S. said, that, before he came to comment
upon the two parts OF the constitution which thc
honorable Speaker and his friend from Della
ware (Nlr. McLane) relied on as deriving this
power, he would make a single remark upon
the discrepancy which existed amongst the
friends Of the bill, as to the sources of the power
claimed. The Speaker had defended this diver
sity of opinion, and thought there was nothing
extraordinary in it. He said that it was COM
mon for men to view the same subject under diff
ierent aspects. That it was favorable to the as
sertion of the power claimed, inasmuch as the
same result was obtained by so many yari
Gus modes OF reasoning. Sir said Mr.. S. II
protest against arguments like these, as appli-
cable to a written and limited constitution.
Can it be believed that power like that claim
ed; power involving all the highest attributes
of sovereignty, should have been wholly omitted
in the specification ofpowers and left as accesso
rial to half a dozen subordinate and inferior
po'cers? The friends of this bill are completely
al war among themselves, as to the true source !
Of the power. One gentleman comes forward |
and claims it under the clause " TO establish post