Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-07-30

and inspired the sage and commanding mind whict,
on memorable occasion, demonstrated their dam
serous object aud unconstitutional character. Bu,
so easy isthe transition from patriotism TO self in
terest, that views originating in the first. ex-
tend readily INTO the second, and political move
cn octuated by public virtue, may often terminate
IN private ambition. The original motive is lost
IN resulting designs, and Il uuou oil men for noble
purposes, becomes transformed into u combination
Tor pernicous ends. The moment, therefore, that
parties outiive just operation the causes that pro-
uuce tne'n'' hey are converted into factious, and
a.c to DC considered not so much the consequences
al Freedom, as the causes of tyluuny Selfish nud
unPriciped me, daring from ambition, subtle fror,
pf"hSaSy' or desperate from want, To whom the
iair competition OF capacity and virtue would be a
sentence ci perpetual ohscurity endcayor TO widen
and cmbittcr these distinctions, and to confer IN
names and professions value aud po,c.ari,y
than ON deeds aud merit. Hence, it sometimes han
pens that an occasional difference of opinion, or
temporary diversity of Judgment is made a pfetexr
foo perpetual turs and iuveterate orp-
sciii'l'n liberal opinions denounced, even gene
ious an" patriotic mcn tempted sacrifice love of
country To fidelity to patty, candor and independence
discouraged, a calculating acquiesencc and angry
opposition ssated; and the eNiecncies, increasing
with the abuses of faction the fundamental laws
nj the state are dSrcgardet the cardinal maxin,S If
justice deiied. and spirit Of dScufd engendered, in
c"np'i' on with the cruelty and violence of which,
! me TEN r>t rs gentle, and hurricane calm.
By a mncesS somew hat similar this, the p,e~
sent distinctions in the Cuited States have been
preserved with a.: in,eteiacy which the 81
ihc causes that created .,cm seems longer -
lJ"stHy. In regard In those causes lie capacity OF
me nution Tor the formation of parties was freely
cx;it,i, thr political cvoutnns on the republican,
size were ietely ss'"-rssiul, and the po,: ts
sn'ernn,eht Has iathfu..y adjusted to the cons,:-
Ni"i;'i principles whirh tiIcm prevailed.
| In the s,iccess of these PRINCIPLES the natural
c"u"es oIdstincton ceased. and at the close of a
i",'iiat> war, the nation ackno wledged great and
pe''aa,hg sense cf unanmiry. The administr atiou
f't ana ohcycd rlie grateful Impulses aud assumed
direction c"inciling at with lnbiic sentirne,t
ami constitutional priuciles-pupular and iberu3
'ecuve and just; and the community was left free
l" resolve hscii INTO new parties as due re-
SH" 10 me course ct The government, and the inie-
rests OF liberty should require. But. there are poli-
uciats Who troin interest Il ste prefer dssenou
10 concord; and these fnrsuke the republican CAUSE
at the moment Gifts t,iu:nph. when natural causes
cease To produce ditnctic ms, they cndeavor to ere.
a'e 'ie'i by artificial o,cs; become apostates thE,
t'cy may pe intoesant, aud pretend that the irda>
dom OF the country depends uIon the domination Of
pc sc,'inI factin;,. In order ;,iiitain this false
position Iii society, which illustrates the tf;upl,s a.
reason and truth, dimuiscs tive public supply Of pa.
triosi .ilt talents, and gains ascenaucv for ine.
fior quaiitca oIIs system of ciballing has been
adopted the most odious, tire most obstinate, and
the most dangerous, tia, ever abused the confidence,
provoked thA iobcarancc, or tempted the power VI
ii great people.
Although the press has done much To producer,
and little TO prevent this Of things, yet If out
attempt to explain the operation of party spirit has
been successful, its power correct il need not he
'espaed OF. Its chief property, THAT of ,sattins
on itself is necessarily the latest that acquires yiay
ana ACTIVITY: and un,:: .hIs is n;,iurcd by expert
mental adaptation To the demands a,M condition Of
Tie s"ciety upon which it IS operate, tho effect
ana salutafy nature of its influence viii not be OBJ
tanned Ii would seem therefore that the appcar-
ance OF new Journal i'll the etropos of the United
states is calculated To- bcspcIk the favorable notice
' The people, aud likely 10 he most kindly regarded
ny these who arc most warmly devoted to their
county.
the confidence and patronage of their fellow citi-
zens-a patronage they hope not To disappont aud
Il confidence they intend never to betray-have 10
"i'acu'ty III declaring their opposition that mar
fow and exclusive system of political management
winch originating i'll honorable views, leads its vo-
aflcS INTO actous cxcesses, into ccutral caucuses,
and provincial junios aud inculcatcs distaste for
the true aud sublime political maxinr-Hot tke first
magistrate q tie J,iicn should be tic chief of the
mation, mi tic head ot' a purity.
However tie ii';its oi prospectus might countc
iahcc rcse Aaton of opinion in regard to the con-
stFuci"n OF the constitute ~ the editors are so SEN
be u Tic Importance u the subject that conscious
Oh the integrity OF their sentiments they neither
affect ambiguity practice conceanieut. Although
II may aoi be easy to be explicit u subject which
requires detail and cScmpcation it is not difficult
10 be candid.
HW'ii be their endcavor TO support fair and ma
q
s"ided by the intention of its authors. aud the i'm
port q" lis language, ad not by views of local or of
PERSONAL advantage. Toits express grants they ara
inclined To apply liberal construction, to its iu,pI:-
ed powers St,ct onc-by which means they should
hope To reconcile justice with policy TO combine cx-
pedicnce with safety and to demonstrate that the
strength OF tIc Union is neither exhaust the sovc-
Feisu'y OF tiie states, be sacrificed to their in-
| dependence.
! tpon these principles. they conceive Mr. Ma5-
son proceeded iii his celebrated report TO the Assem-
I by of hic, as far as il goes they con-
SiGef a model OF just and profound constitutional
reasoning as well as paper Of uDrivallcd consrs-
} Vcrsui elegance aud power
ihe Sazette will be open to- ihe essays of those
VINO may wish to investigate and define the princ-
pies OF our Observation-Disclosures upon which,
VIC editors feel disposed promote and encourage
pelS persuaded that tho better the federal const,-
iop Is understood, the It will bc'ievcred and
valued
! merses 1rcfit'do, Pulc1,rior crenn
! Besides containing faithful account of the
proceedings OF the great branches of the admins
u'oh' ana literal aud exact report of the delates
:" CohS'eSS' WIN the customary selections of do
niesuc news, the Gazette IS Intended TO furnish sue
chct aud candid reviews of the growing Literature
oi the United States. Earnest and u.s,raI afteu-.
ton viii be paid TO this subject from convictions
that liberty, which is fortified from diffusion OF
knowledge. is at the same time cIniucntly favorable.
to the cultivation of science, the enhancement OF
learning the creations of gcnius and the enbclIis,
incnts of taste II is time that the literature of the
country should emerge from its colonial state.
Whoever reycrts 10 tie recent original OF 'tfiy
Ii.- 81 hoe,