Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1825-12-15
COMMUNICATED


Among the readers of the Enquirer, have no
doubt there some who approve and admire the
Presidents Message, and think it possible there
may be few who understand it. A person of this
last description might enighen one, it not more OF
your subscribers 10y an explanation of two sentep-
ces used by the chief magistrate.
g No government in whatever form constituted
accomplish the lawful ends of its institution
but in proportion as it improves the condition OF
those over whom il is established"
This proposition thus laid down in general
manner, seems 10 me to be totally incorrect if I'M
deed understand the meaning of the words In
which il is expressed. Ihave supposed, and still
suppose, that every community has natural right
10 establish government in any form and for any
end II pleases; and that every government in what
ever form constituted would accomplish the law
tul ends OF It's institution by doing that which it
was established to do-whatever il might be-
have supposed that men have by nature right TO
pursue happiness in the mode that they think
BEST that they may have many SETS of governors
ssihey please; that they may institute one form of
government TO improve the general condition of
those over whom it is established; end that having
one government for this purpose, they may form in
conjunction with other communities if they please,
another government for any other purpose it NAV
seem eNpedient, whether TO provide for their COM
mon defence or for any other object. 1 have sup
posed that government constituted like that last
Acauoneu - 10 proVlue Tor the common deleHce'
would accomplish the lawful ends of its institution
10y providing Tor the common defence and that il
constituted for any other purpose il would accom-
push its lawful ends by fulfilling that purpose; and
that IN either ofthese the ends would be &C.
cSmplished whether the condition of those over
whom the government il established, was improy-
ed, was unchanged or became worse
The other sentence is this: '' While foreign ma
tons less blessed with that freedom which is power
than ourselves, are advancing with gigantic strides
IN the career of public Improvement, were we
to slumber in Incidence or fold up our arms and
proclaim To the world that we are palsied be the
VIII oil our constituents, would it not be 10 cast a.
way the bounlies ofprovidence and doom oursei as
TO perpetual inferiority"?
Us IL 10 be understood by this that our reoresen-
ta'ives are 10 advance in the career of public i'm
poyement, notwithstanding the will oftheir con-
stftuents to the contrary, Are we TO understand
inst Mr.. Adams now calls upon them TO slunber
lniadolence longer, to unfold their arms and pro-
claim 10 the ORD that they not palsed by the
VIII of their constituents?
In the hope that this expression can and will be
explained. say no more upon the subject at pre-
seat cannot believe that the President of the
Unied States is bold enoughto proclaim that re-
preventative ought TO disregard the will of his con-.
stiHents; and yet find il difficult to discover any
other meaning for the sentence. Labouring under
thi' dIihculiy deler making any further comments
until some one, OF those who understand Mr. A.
da mss language, shall favor me with an interpre-
Ia ION oil II. COUNTRY READER