Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-01-15

have derived her constitutional doc
trines,) towards calling this valuable
institution into existence, now denoun'
ces it as an unauthorized assumption
of power, and as an evidence OF 1.-THE
splendid and overshadowing govern
ment," which is growing up at wash
ington.
So, too, she raises hue and cry
| against the appropriation of the public
funds to roads and canals. The govern
ment, to which we have unhesitatingly
| committed "our lives, our fortunes, and
our sacred honor;" the government, to
which we have given the exclusive right
of regulating our personal, our politl,
cal, and our commercial intercourse;
by whose breath, and at whose discre-
ton, we are blown from peace to war,
and from war to peace-that govern
ment becomes "splendid and oversha-
downing" and formidable to the rights
of the states and the liberties Of the
people, only, when in pursuit of its le-
gitimate objects, it seeks, by judi
cious system of internal improvement,
to strengthen the bond Of our union, to
increase our facilities of intercourse,
and to prepare the abundant but scat
tered resources of our country for a
more efficient defence against all flu
ture aggressions.
Nor has the weakest, though not the
least valuable branch of the national
government, escaped the general de-
nunciation. The Judiciary, possessing
no authority over either the sword or
the purse, and exercising no influence
but what is derived from the purity Of
its character, and the correctness of its
judgments, has nevertheless been held
up as pageant, in this imaginary ex-
hibition of power and splendor, and as
an efficient instrument in the alledged
conspiracy against the rights OF the
states. The exercise of its fair and le-
ultimate jurisdiction, in case Of law
and equity, arising under the constitu-
ton and laws of the United States" to
which Virginia happened to be party,
was deemed fit occasion for the inter-
ference of her Legislature, and for an
indiscreet appeal to the pride, the pow
er, and the passions Of the individual
states.
But why need we go farther? We
have said enough to explain the general
character of the system for which Vir-
ginia contends; and, in doing so, have
pointed out the real cause Of her dimin-
ished influence in the councils of the
nation. 1t is time for her intelligent
and patriotic citizens to awake from
the sleep of confidence in which they
have reposed. 1t is time for them to
look into the conduct Of those to whom
they have committed the interests and
the character of the state. And when
ever they shall do so in earnest, we
venture to predict, that they will lind
abundant cause for alarm-not in that
idle conception of distempered brains,
" the splendid and overshadowing gov
eminent at Washington" but in that
fearful s. stupendous despotism, whose
throne is established in Richmond, and
whose power has undermined the prin-
ciples, and overthrow the loyal cha
racter of the state.
We copy the following extract of
letter from the Baltimore American,
hoping it will attract the attention that
its importance demands:
MARYLAND LEGISLATURE.
Extract of a letter TO the Editors Of the IL
merican, dated ANNAPOLIS, Jan. l3.
In the House of Delegates to-day,
your worthy representative, Mr.. How
ARD, moved an order to the Commit
tee on Roads and Canals to inquire
whether or not the Old Potomac Com
pany had forfeited their charter
which order was adopted. | have
strong hopes that your delegates
will be able to destroy this old
incubus-and leave to the General
Government the power of acting in
dependently and fully on the subject
The committee on canals have re-
solved to report the late Virginia law
with the rider thereto annexed; giving
| o. +ha Dotornoc Coronapv ol,oocf Oh