Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-11-16

Certain il is Rowever,that patty feelings, excited
oy me discussion were aggravated by the decision
, nose VINO opposed the adoption, were not a
sie alarmed at the Character and tendency of Sc
veral propositions which were made i'm the Convep-
| non. The alarm was not abated, by the exposi.
non Oh uie Constitution contendcc for by the fedc-
| ias's. Inc country was divided among aristo-
1 eIa,s ana democrats, who some time afterwards
'ook the mider name of federalists and republi-
cans In this state of things, where novelty and
uncertainty kept the people in constant tank
iey, II was natural that those i'm power should
oe viewed by their opponents will, gre al lea ousy
' mar opposition to their principles should lead
ga cohncniIation of their rules of construction
| a"a OF their measures. All were taken together
"nu an advocate Tor a navy, for the establishment
oia system OF foreign intercourse, Sc was regard
| eo as federast, as much that account as ON
account OF any opinion relating the principles of
| government "
BUT while we contend that no man should he
| .aied federalist a republican on account of
ne construction which he may give TO the Consti-
.olon Oh the U. States, yet it is probable if not
an; that all those who have the strongest
anu'repuoiican feelings, will generally be found
WIN those, whose construction confers the greatest
mass oil power on the general government.
on the other hand, there is an obvious and now
eru consideration, which is calculated to induce
| the most jealous republican to take the same
course II a question, which has been freouent-
~ and profoundly considered, and NAV il he for
evera question, whether the union is exposed tn ,he
greatest danger from the ambition of the head n,
turbulence of the members from the encroa chments
Oh Inc general government, those of the states;
from consolidation, or from DISCRIMINATION This
is question about which there is a great differ
ence OF opinion: and he who really believes tina,
the cause OF free government throughout the world
depends on the success of our example, and this
may well be believed, and further believes that the
only danger, or the greatest danger, to be appre-
hended by us, must proceed from the States will
naturally throw his weight into the scac of the o..
| neral government, and adopt that construction of
the Constitution most conducive TO its energy and
! stability.
These two considerations are manifesty caIcu.
lated to throw some shade of doubt, some little Oh.
security ON the question: who i, genuine republican,
although the question as TO what is renub1;c,p;s
very easily solved.
But the cause which has involved this subject In
most obscnTity, proceeds from a numerous and
powerful class IN society, who may be called middle
men; men, who are raised by education or other
requirements, above the majority, but who are no,
ciassed among men of talents These men have no
nope oil distinction except from their union and
their zeal. They therefore, whet her converted
federalists or republicans; are pelpetually talk
ing of what they do not understand, and do
not choose to understand; establishing standards
of orthodoxy absurd i'll themselves, which men
of talents and independence disregard, and which
these middle men denounce them for Disregard
ing. In thus acting they indulgiug the most
powerful feelings of the human heart; vanity,
as they attain distinction by their zeal; inter-
est, in establishing a standard of orthodoxy
which men of understanding must condemn. and
men nf independence will surely disregard, they
multiply the chances of their, own elevation This
subject is worthy of the most serious examination.
He who has leisure and capacity for its full deye-
opement will render service the public by devot-
ing them to An investigation, novel as it is inpor-
tant. **f
NOTE. u
I. CD Gibbon, after having noticed the Latin words,
Exercitus, Nirtus &c. remarks that there is room
for very interesting work, on the subject of the
ainhity between the language and the opinions,
manners and customs of people. A remark a BILE
illustration is furnished by Cicero. I.etters, Book
-, Letter 81 SOCIAL meetings at the table were de-
|Signated among the Greeks by word, which sig
nihes eompotdtiOn; whereas among the Romans
they were called coupial meetings; ntimating that
1t IS in communication of this nature, that life is
most truly enjoyed" -,-. 1850
There is certainly room for a work equally in
teresting, and more useful, in relation TO words of
no meaning, of equivocal meaning, or of perverted
meaning. From the abuse of words has arisen
one half of the miserias of modern Europe What
misery was brought into the world, by the uncer-
tainty and unascertaimable meaning of two words
between which there difference of one letter
only, Homo ousion, and Honor custom; and no
difference of meaning. Athanasius himself con-
fessed, that the he thought, the less he com
prehended and Lord Bacon remarks, rather
quotes with appreciation the remark, Hills tempon-
bus ingeneosus res fuit esse christanuni.'
u" The author of 'sCurio,n has received an
anonymous letter, communicated to him through
the medium of Mr.. Peasants, which he deems
1t proper TO notice in this way. That letter sug-
gests the names Of several gentlemen, and invites
an examination of their professionalism hop
ing that this may be scored, and that eulog,sed
1t Is not for the satisfaction of the writer who
ever he is (who can be neither entitled to this,
or any other notice. that ask leave to declare
again, that my object was rrei.!:e- to euogise or
score, acknowledgment less to comprehend
particular individuals for either of these purpo-
ses-I wished to be of some use, and shall never
be, either fatterer or satirist unless sheer
justice be the one, and fearless censurs the
other.-I desire my anonymous correspondent
to understand that disregard his hints.
CURIo.
We cannot better comply with the following
request, than by publishing the letter contain
ing it.-EDs.
TO The Editors Of the Constitutional Wdig.
GENTLEMEN-Will you be pleased to state
IN your paper, that the proposition TO appoint
Mr.. John Tyler one of the Orators. at the York
Town celebration, originated egcluaUeiy with
me at the Board of Charles City and New Kent
Officers, by whom he was at firstrecommended
and in which recommendation, the General
Committee, afterwards assembled at York, |
believe, concurred. Some misconception, either
involuntary or willful, having prevailed on the
subject, induces me to make this statement
Yours very respectfully,
THOMAS MACON.
New Kent, Nov. 5, 1924.