Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-07-02

"S II. IDc same remark is tr,e perb, nc J., -.
I .auoh 10 mr.. Adans--Thc fact proves not ,bo,
oSo genuemen IN reality are friendly 10 tho
out 'oat the zeal of their partiIans sci
they suppose will have influence with tho nco.
PIE. we are disposed to believe that boil, ur.
.,ua'i's anu Mr. Crawford have on this question.
,!e same oPnion-that they were both for a in
cicious revision of the Tariff, with no view to
'u.eiu'ct commerce, but for the purposes of re-
venue. Candor, a sense ofjustice impcl us to
snaAe inns admission in favor of MIR. Crawford
iro" the uniform policy of his friends, we have
w 'easoh 10 expect, nor do we expect an equal
degree of iberality for Mr.. Adams opinions.
put we are persuaded that he is as independent
Vi the Iavors OF his enemies as he is of their on
mity-and that he is not disposed to court the
hrst, as he has never shrunk from the conse-
queuces ofthe last.
ne enquirer with great ingenuity antici-
pa.cs' q oy anticipating, expects To cvade, what
ts wcii aware, is strong answer To this attack
upon the opinions of Mr. Adams 1t foresees
mat ON TINS subject, they are to hear esthe com
mon cant OF the day"-that MT. Adams on this
score rs notmor objectionable than the other
cahdiu Il s"-a:d ''that they all entertain the
same oPin'ons." After all, can any reply be
more reasonable and unanswerablc? FIR. A
ua''s opinions are represented as thus obnoxi-
GUS, LOT the purpose of contrasting them with
the more popular opinions of Mr.. Crawford, and
that the latter may be benefited by the contrast
Us II not quite fair to deprive MIR. Crawford of
THIS benefit, by declaring the truth, that his o.
pihions correspond with MT. Adams and that
he is friendly to the Tariff as MIR. Adams himself
we are not displeased 1t this omp' t, mi,
represent Mr.. Adams to the pco; . of vi enia.
The misrepresentation is easy o fntati n. an
II at least proves tia h j. NOR. for ridl Ie tina,
JUS opponents have been genera ~ viii ins 10
admit in Virginia.
,, FOR raE WIG.
Whcn tie good people Of Virginia, dssolving their
political connection with the h ish enpire estab-
shcd themselves of right nd i'm fact, n n free. soyc
reign and independent State they atlopted for its
polity, the existing Constitution. This CONSTITUTE
ou' inc fundamental law, based on Bill of Rights
prescrincs, what became absolutely necessary, "a
+ orm OF Government. The fabric, splendid and
well constructed, does honor to the saaa,itv aud
skill OF those, by whom it was designed and reared
IL exhibits GOVERNMENT OF LAW en,auat tho
from the entire Tree population as SOVEREIGN i'm
winch the n'c-strtng, the lo,r.judgng and la,c-
ccecWtnS powers, meant to be efficient To their So
veral ends in the exercise of their propcr functions
yet separatc distinct and independent, of ca ch other
were to form together one harmonious consistent
whole. OF this great design and its happy arrange
meht, SO wisely conceived, however dcfcctivey eS-
ecuted, no one, who admits a distinction between
right and wrong, between truth and falsehood or
who have any just notion Of the true foundations of
law ana government, can wish see the ORDER thu
symmetry, the harmony disturbcd.-But go far from
disturbing these, their preservation it is thought
might be secured, by correcting what in the execu-
tim has been found, either originally defective from
not well answering its end or to have become so nv
the accidents of tine or of condition. To Justify
such thought several matters could be presented
for consideration.
Since the time of adonting her nrosent C,,s,;,,
ton Virginia, by the transfer of territory and dom
mon, by the adoption of the Constitutions of the u
nited States and the formation of new States under
ms constitution, has experienced many changes
and acquired new relations greatly affecting her
sovereign capacity. Her territorial limis have be-
come not only circumscrbcd but are now to all
useiui practical purposes sufficiently well defined.
The whole face of her territory, the adaptation of
It's several parts to the various objects of human in
dustry, and the population which the whole and ITS
relauve sections may be rendered capable of sus-
tanning, are pretty accurately ascertaincd nd pref
ty generally known. These circumstan ces of them-
selves, without other considerations might suffice 10
sustain the proprety of adapting the Constitution
to the existing state of things to the future
OF the republic, and the progress of society. That
this should be done by cautious, circumspect pru-
dent aud wise modification of those details,-by
well defining the powers of government and the Ii
mitS Tor their eHercise,--and by constituting ade-
quate checks and guards to restrain those powers
within their proper LIMITS, is a consummation de-
voutly to be wished.
But III the same tract of time, while governments
have been established and destroyed or convuIsed,
much additional light has been cast upon govern
men IN its science and practice. The means of Sc
curing IT'S use and avoiding its abuse, in administra-
ton, If not accurately ascertained are become bet
ter known. To this knowledge the administration
OF governments exhibited in the United States and
Ill this and the other States composing the Union,
has largely contributed. In the exhibition are pre-
sented numerous goods to be acquired or secured
and no small portion of ills TO be avoided. Europe
also, has furnished her eventful history and the
coruscations of livd tightening, which attended the
progress and end of the French and subsequent re-
volutions, amidst all their horror and their gloom,
have made visible many of the rocks and quick
sands, on which, unless carefully avoided the yes
sci of State, nay the very fabric Of human society,"
Is apt to be dashed TO pieces and its happest organ
lzation destroyed Within the same period too the
Constitution of the United States and the Consult
ons OF tho several States have come into existence
The consequences, the natural result of repeated ex-
pertinent accompanied by deep and careful thought,
is, that the Charters of government have now attain
ed an astonishing perspicuty and precision. OF all
this light, experience and knowledge, which re-
ference has been had what is to forbid Virginia,
that she should not profit? Surely netting real
nothing except piantoms of the nagina tion--gho5s.
| and spectrcs and chimcras dire Should it even
be prudent i'll her to shut her eyes against the dis
tant and iorei6, yet she may well open them the
nearest, which TO her is the cleares;, light.
If then, the spur of the OCCASION, in time of
agitation and OF peril, she could form her Const;tu
ton, it is, with much recommend it, may not
Virginia now, in time of relative tranquility aud
leisure, alter so many years of self government and
orderly habits awaiting herself of the aids to which
alluson has been had, may not Virginia, it would
be emphatically repeated, modify the cha
racter of her government, as instead of destroying
or even impairlng, to- give more vivid expression,
an increased force, xedness and durability, to the
| principal lineamentS, the great and Distinguishing