Alexandria gazette & advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1822-1824, 1824-09-16


ere were delegated 10 the General Govern
ment; and it claimed for that government,
right to exercise IFS powers in such
manner as to effect the acknowledged pur-
poses OF IFS creation. The editors of the
Enquirer. on the contrary, exacted rigid
compliance with the strictest letter OF the
constitution. They conceded nothing ',bat
was not in the bond;' and in the true spi.
rit of that philosophy which authorized
the pound Of flesh'to be taken, but not a
drop of blood TO be drawn, they denied
to the General Government the authority
so to exercise any one OF its delegated
powers, (no matter how necessary TO
accomplish the great purposes for which
the constitution was ordained as 10 inter-
fere. in the smallest degree. With, what
they were pleased 10 denominate. State
Rights
The editors of the IntelIigencef were. Of
course, The advocates Of n a,ionaI Bank;
because, although without its agency The
finances OF the country might BIZ admins.
tered, they could not be so administered
a efeciually TO promote the general well
fare They were, ia like manner, advo-
cafes tor system OF Internal Improve
ment, undertaken by the authority, and
pr secuted with the resources OF the &c
neral Government; because although they
believed that fbe government might exer-
else IFS powers over the military and post
Office departments, as we'll as over the
commerce of the States, without the aid of
roads and canals, they did not believe,
that wlhou, their aid, i, could so exercise
any one OF these important powers, as Ell
ther to ensure domestic tranquility, pro-
vide Tor the common defence, or promote
the general welfare OF the Union But a
b0ye all. the editors of the lntelligencer
contended for the Jurisdiction claimed by
the Supreme Court of the United States,
in all cases OF law and equity. arising un-
der the constitution OF the United States
on the ground. that such jurisdiction was
essential to establish justice throug bout
the country.
Their friends OF the Enquirer, on the
contrary, denounced all these measures, as
assumptions ct power, aud alarming in
Engagements or tie Rights OF the States
They were especially indignant at the
course of reasoning by wuich the lntelli
gencer attempted to sustain them; aud, as
well as we recollect. federalist and Jaco.
b in, aristocrst and dlsorganiser, ultra and
ap3state, were amongst the civlest terms
on the occasion. Certain j is,
that being pescesbIy disposed ourselves,
we were frequently constrained to rejoice
that the cooling waters Of the Potomac,
and at least hundred miles of a;mosphe
rio air, interviewed between the enraged
combatants.
But peace is restored. Lord North and
Mr.. Fox are sitting in the same council!
chamber; and :he people have yet TO learn
on what principles the coalition has been
established. Have Messrs Gales Il Seston
become the advocates OF State Rights Or
have Messrs Richie D. Gooch given 10
their adhesion to the high prerogative and
fe deral power' Or have they, like their
prototypes OF GrealBritain, reserving those
weig6ty matters tor future adjustment,
vamped up union tor present purposes?
But to be serious-we ask these editors
to tell US, 'opeuly, honestly, and candid
w. what are the views of Mir. Crawford.
in relation to these important points! Is
he an advocate for that construction OF the
constitution which the Intel ligencer MAIN
taIns? Or does he incline TO the Virginia
rula OF construction? There is no middle
ground TO occupy On Que side, are VA
tional bank, roads and canals, an efficient
administration, and judiciary suited TO
the extended character, and the varied in.
tsrests of our country. On the oibe all
is chaos, and confusion worse ConiOunded.
We must be pardoned for pressing this
matter with some zeal. In our opinion, it
presents the most important question con-
nected with the approaching election, We
have never thought Mr. Crawford fitted,
either by his talents or his education, tor
The station to which be is aspiring; and we
shall always think, that dangerous spd un'