Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-07-23

OH memorable occasion, demons ,rated their dan
gercus object and Unconstitutional character. But
SO easy is the transition from patriotism self in
tcrcst, that views originating in the first, sx-
tend readily into the second, and Il political move
mcnt actuated by public virtue, may often terminate
in private an,bi.ions The original motive is los.
IN resulting designs, and union OF for noble
purposes, becomes transformed into a combination
for perniclous euds. The moment, therefore, that
parties outline just operation of the that pro-
duce the'n' they are converted into factions, and
are TO be considered not SO much the consequences
OF freedom, as tie causes of Tyranny. Selfish and
unprincip!ed men, daring froai ambition, subtle from
proiiigacy, or desperate from want, to whom the
fair composition of capacity and virtue would be o.
sent'nca OF perpetual ob5curiiy, endeavor widen
and cmbitter these distinctions, aud to confer on
names and professions more value aud populari,v
than on deeds and merit. Hence, il sometimes hap
pens that an occasional difference of opinion,
temporary diversity of Judgment, is made prssext
of perpetual disQuaiihcations and invcterate pro-
scrpcn; liberal opinions denounced, even gene
rous aud patriotic me n tempted To sacrifice love of
country to fidelity te party caudor and independence
discouraged, calculating acquiesence aud angry
opposition ns'5sasea; and the exisencies, increasing
with tile abuses oS faction, the fundamental laws
OF the state dsregardcd, the cardinal xns us
justice defad, and spirit OF dfscord engcn1ered, ia
comparison with the cruelty and violence Of which.
TIE tempest Is gentle, and hurricane calm.
by process soMcwha similar to this, The pre-
sent distinctions in the United States have been
preserved with an invetcracy which the success of
t.ie causes that created them longer TO
Justify In regard TO those causes the capacity of
The nation for the formation of parties freely
exertcd, the political cvoutois the republican
side were completely successful and the policy tho
government was faithfully adjusted to the consttu-
tional principles which then prevailed.
| In the success of these principles the natural
causes OF distinction ceased, aud at the close of !,
fortunate war, the nation acknowledged great and
pervading sense of unanimity. The administ, st,,
felt and obeycd the grateful impulse, and assumed Il
direction coinciding at once with public sentiment,
ana constitutional principes-popular and liberal
effective AND just; and the community was left free
To resolve itself parties as soon as due re-
gard to the course of the governments and the infe-
rests oflibcriy should require Butt there are poli-
ticiana who nom interest or taste prefer dissolution
to concord; and these frrsake the republican cause
at the moment gifts triumph. When natural causes
cease TO produce distinctions, they cneavor to cre
ate them by artificial ones; become apostates that
they may be inolerant, and pretend that the free
dom OF the country depends upon the domination Of
PEI petual faction In order TO maintain this false
position IN society, (which illustrates the triunps OF
reason and truth, dinishcs the public supply of na
tr1oe:m and TALENTS and gains ascen0ancy for infe-
rior qualifications, system of caballing has been
adopted, the most odious, the obstinate, and
the most dangerous that ever abused the couflrn nee.
provoked the forbearance, tempted the power Of
great people.
Although the press has done much TO protince
and little to prevent, this sta te of things vet if our
L..
been successful, its power TO it need yst be
despairei OF. Its chief property, that Of reacling
On ITSELF is necessarily the latest that acquires yigoy
and activity: and until tins i; matured by exper;-
mental adaptation to the demands and condition of
the society upon which it is operate, the effect
ana Salrtary nature gifts Influence will not be OBJ
tanned 1t would seem therefore that the appear-
ence OF new journal in the metropolis of the United
states IS calculated to bespcak the favorable notice
OF the people, and likely BE most kindly regarded
by those who most warmly devoted to tlIci.
country.
The editors Of the American Gazette, in soliciting
the coincidence and patronage Of their fellow citi-
zems-a patronage they hope rot to tsappbnt an,
confidence they intend lever 10 hetray-have no
diihciiy in declaring their opposition that mar
row and exclusive system of political management
which originating in honorab views, leads its vo-
aies INTO iactious excesscs, into central eaucuses
ana provincial juntos and iticulcatcs distaste for
the true and sublime political niaxnr-ihat The G,st
'aasisfrcte fbtc Union aouM1e tic chief of lie
nation, not tie head Of a party.
4 However the limits of ii prospectus might coup,e
nance reservation of opinion, in ard to the con-,
siruc'oi OF the constitution. the editors are so scu-
sble OF the Importance oftie subject that conscious
Of The integrity Of their sentiments they neither
Affect ambiguity nor practice coDccalmcnt Although
RI may not be easy to be explicit subject which
requires detail and cxempGcatioii, ii is not difficult,
TO be candid.
II WIZ De Their cndcavor 10 suppDrt a fair and ,,a-
'ufai interpretation of that sacred Instrument "a he
5""eu ny TIC intention of its authors. and Tho inn
posi- OF lis languages ard not by views of local on NJ
persona! advantage To its express grants tbev are
inclined to apply liberal constructions, TO its iinnl;
ed powers strict one-by which means they shou,d
nope torcconcle justice with policy to combine cx
pediencc with safety, and demonstrate that The
strength OF The Union is neither to exhaust The sove
feisnty OF the state TO Gc sacrificed TO ticir IN,
| dependence.
Upon these principles, they cohccire MIR. Midi
s,n pfoceededIn his celebrated repor, to the
Dy OF 'lrsinla-whic, as far as il goes t,cv cor.
s''!cr nodci OF just and profou:. co,,stituroual
reasoning, as well as paper Of unfiyalled coptro
| Versial elegance and power.
| lbe Gazette will bc open 10 Te essavs Of ,,os.
VINO may wish 10 investigate and define The princi
pes OF our government--discussions upon which.
The editors feel disposed to promote and encouracc'
beng persuaded that the better the federal const;i
ton IS understood the more It will be reycred aud
! valued o'''
n'erses I'rcfundo, pu1c1irior erean
BESIDES containing a faithful account of ne,
proceedings OF the great branches of the adn,;nie
ration and literal aufexact repo; of the deb,,es
OF Congress, with the customary selections of d.
nestic news the Gazette is intended TO furnish s,,c
cihct ana candid reviews of the growing literature
OF me United States. Earnest and unusual atter
non WIZ be paid to this subject, from conviction
That liberty, which is fortified from Diffusion re
kn9w!fdse Is at The same time emncntiy favorable
TO ihe cultivation of science, the Announcements re
learning, the creations Of genius and the embellisb
nents OF taste Ii is time that The ter.,,,ro f d.,