Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1825-08-19
Foa THE ENQUIRER.


The contest hch is going on between Cover
nor Troup and the Agents of The United States in
Georgia, is calculated to excite deep interest in
every friend to the Uaion, founded as it Is, upon
the state sovereignties II is not my purpose 10
ali sruss the merits OF the treat irade with the In
dams; it is probable this subject win come before
Congress, who will be able to obtain access to
aources OF information not in the power OF indvd-
uals. | shall, also, forbear 10 make any comment
on the asperty Of style, and bshness Of recrimina-
ton, employed in these discussions. I would
only observe, that in the intercourse between the
federal government, and lie members of the con-
is;leracy, the greatest good temper and spirit of
cancellation should be observed. Mutual iorbear-
ancos, on the pat Of each Government is calcu-
lated TO keep alive that spirit of concord and good
viii, without which our Union will become rope
OF sand.
But though mean TO abstain from discussing the
points 20 which have advcrted, deem this a fit
occasion to call the attention of the people to an
enquiry, which is of vital importance to the pre-
servaton oil Their liberties and happiness.
The incidents in Georgia, give awful arning
OF the Consequences bich VIII result, unless tho
authority of the people is exercised TO settle and
adjust the controversies, which for time have
been going Or, as 20 tie relative powers of the
General and State Governments.
Every patriot, every enlightened citizen, must
be attached TO The Union OF lie $ ites. Bot It is
70 the Union, on the principles OF the constitution,
as honestly and fairly expUuHded. Union ought
to be dear to every heart; but liberty is still more
precious. The Union is eonfederacy Of sovereign
states, which have coiceded Ollie General Go
vernment certain limited and specified POI ers,
which were deemed sufficient for The management
OF the external concerns of the nation ard 20 pro-
tect il against foreign force and internal commo-
hon-all power not given, is retained to The states
and the people The Union of the states neees-srily
Implies. the preservation oil lie and
reignty oil each member; and that Union would
be destroyed as well by consolidation it would
by the dlsmembermeni of the several parts
flow, then, is it to be preserved? By The General
and State Governments confnIng themselves to
their appropriate orbits. By neither endeavoring
70 encroach on the legitimate powers OF he Other
is there not too much reason TO apprehend, that
the General Government has, for some ears past
made rapid strides tow ards absorbing all power
When we look at certain measures OF tina Govern
ment, when attend TO the principles adv ocated
and ayowed by its functionsres, is there not cause
for serious alarm! The wisest patriots aud states
men in country have declared, that the consoli-
dalton OF all powers in the hands of the General
Government, would be subversiye of our liberde-
All history, and al experience demonstrate, that
one great national Government, for territory so
extensive and divided as the United States, is in
compatible with freedom. The great object was
TO Keep The Federal Government within the limits
specified by the constitution.
But the.tone OF our public men is changed. No
doefsiae goes down now, but the sweeping and
sanliraited powers Of Congress In certain circles,
I'VE sra-tsld, the man who advocates the rights Of
thesatesxor refers to constitutional provisions, is
Observation-Disclosures and even visionary.
= The present Chief Magistrate stated in letter
70 citizen OF Ohio, that 10 doubt of the discretion
airy powers Of Congress to do any thing which, in
then opinion, would contribute to the genaraI wei
fsfs, VASE ioeGsbIy aupids,' Thus this old ex-