Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1825-06-24

conceive that this right OF appropriation drew
after t the power of internal Improvements. The
appropriation of money was Consequence not
cause. II foilOtoed: does not precede'
Before taking leave of Yirginius and his fayorite
President, must bring their notice one authori-
~ OF some respect at least in Virginia, touching
this appropratins power, Madison's report of '99,
which mas received the following Just tribute from
distinguished Constituencies and Civilian lit
was the Magma Charter O.. which the Republi-
cans settled down, after the great struggle in the
year 1902 Its principles have only been departed
from since, by turn-coats and apostates''s
After laying down the clause which was then
Claimed tor the usurpatiOn of powers, and upon
which the late President relics the Report proceeds
train or argument that cannot be shaken, and for
more reasons than one, deserves TO be inserted at
length, This similarity in the use of these
phrases IN the two great federal charters (he con-
federation and constituton) might well be consider
ed as rendering their meaning less liable 10 be mis-
construed IN the latter; because it will scarcely be
SAID that IN the former they were ever understood
10 be either general grant of power or to autho-
rise the re9uision or application of money bv the
old Congress to the common defence and general
welfare except in the after enumerated which
explained and limited their meaning; and if such
was the limited meaning attached 10 these phrases
IN the very instrument revised and remodelled by
the present constitution, it can never be supposed
'Aidt WHEN CODieO INTO TINS constitution. different
meaning ought to be attached 10 them. That not
withstanding this remarkable security against mis-
construction, design has been indicated TO ex-
pound these phrases IN the constitution so az to
destroy the effect OF the particular enumeration of
powers by which j, explains and limits them, must
have fallen under the observation of those who
have sttendedto the course OF public transactions
Not TO multiply proofs on this subject, it will s,if-
ice toreicr to the debates of the federal legislatures
in which, arguments have on different occasions
been drawn with apparent effect from these phrases
10 their Indefinite meaning.
" To these indications might be added withcu,
looking farther, the official report on mann, fac
t'i'eS by The late Secretary of the Treasury, made
on the 9th oil December, 1871; and the report of
a COMMITTEE OF Congress, IN January 1897, on the
promotion OF agriculture Ia The first of these il
IS expressly contended to belong .'to the discre-
ton OF the national Legislature to pronounce upon
The Objects which concern the general toelfu, e,
ana Tor winch under that description an appropria-
lion OF money Is requisite and proper Aud there
seems to be no room for doubt, that whatever con-
Germs the general interest of learning of oerie,I
'"Ie, Oh MANUFACTURES, and Of commerce, are
within the sphere of the national councils. as fur
as regards an application Of money"
= The latter report assumes the same latitude Of
power IN the national councils and applies il to
the encouragement OF agriculture, by means of a
Soeiety to be established at the seat of Gorern-
menf AlthSugh neither Of these reports NAV
nave received the sanction OF law carrying into
eject; yet On The other hand, the extraordinary
doctrine contained in both, has passed without The
sigh'est positive mark OF disspprobaton from the
authority 10 which il was addressed
Now, whether the phrases in question be con-
sIued 10 authorize every measure relating TO the
common defence and general welfare; as contended
Oy some' or every measure only in which there
might be an application OF money, as suggested by
he ran OF fbar. Il.
be the same, IN destroying he import and force of
the particular enumeration of powers which follow
these general phrases IN the constitution For il is
evident That there j. not single power whatever
which may not have some reference TO the common
defence, or the general welfare; nor a power of anv
magnitude, which, in its exercise does not involve
OF admit an application of money. The govern
ment, therefore, which possesses power in either
one or other OF these exteuts, is government
without the limitations formed by particular emu
rneration OF powers; and consequently the meaning
and eject OF TINS particular enumeration, is des-
| Toyed by the exposition given to these general
Phrases
With this imperishable state paper before his
| eyes, TO which the late President NAV have bcen
considered as party he has been mainly instru-
mental IN forcing Congress by his repeated recon-
mendatons into system of protecting duties in
iavor OF manufactures, and has lately in effect sane
TONED the system OF internal improvements and all
Tor what! = To reconcile the dscordsnt acts and
arguments OF his immediate predecessors or TO
go In advance Of popular opinion, and take the no.
nor which ne JoTesaao, would be left for his ia,ns
date successor? Perhaps, 10 destroy this caba-
l'Snc phrase - State Righfs,' or to put down the
school OF 'fmPrHcficable metaphysics' which
prevails IN this state, and which must prevail so
long as she has any regard for her own safety and
The rights Of her citizens; aud while she cbeI,bes
IT. ! SHALL De proud to own her as my own, nv
native land CANJIJI TJS
r. S.-Some other consideraj 1ns of Yirginius
may hereafter claim attention; in the mean time,
peace be with him.
-
sHampdep, No !.
~. b Where ia the Colonization sae.ty ia be e.,ab-
The yG. Z. American --sLAyrny-,Tb. 4
merican, has length, broken his dgnitied silence