Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1825-11-08
NORTHUMBERLAND

constitution, abandon them forever. The new
administration have boldly erected flag, which
yon had once pulled down, rs you vainly supposed.
never to be restored. Tkis is no longer to be a
federative republic, but great consolidated en-
pire. a reference 10 constitutional limits is laughed
10 Expectancy Is the order of the day
We no longer to consult the great charter of
our rights and liberties, but every thing is TO be left
10 the discretion OF rulers. We are told, in almost
so many words, that should adopt the theory
suggested by an insilious statesman, 10 4 subser-
Went poet:
" For forms Of government, let fools contest
8 That, i0iach IS best adIliiaistered IS 6est.''
The old and venerated motto which surmoun,ed
the American Eagle, and which conducted US to
glory aud freedom, - Il PiuiJus Us,,tt, - is to
be abandoned, and in is place, that of one and
indivisible' is TO be substituted. And are we pre-
pared for ths1 Where, now, is the spirit which
animated you in the year 1898? l. it extinct? Is
il dead? DO you admit it TO be true, that so many
of the rights OF the states have been violated that
the not worth defending? This is the fashion
able cant of the times. Ii has been devised by cum
ming, and is TOO apt to be swallowed by creduty
aud folly TO me, it seems, TO use a figure lately
applied by high authority, to a different subject,
that, in regard these rights like the prophetic
books of the Sybls,'' their value is encreasetl, as
their numbers diminished, by encroachment
Ii the ouiposts have been taken by surprise, or
surrendered by treachery, let us 10 the ca-
del oil the consltIton. and defend it to the most
extremity. II hat last refuge OF freedom is destroy
ed, we must be content to be buried in its ruins
beseech you, my feow-ctizens, 10 rouse from
your ethsTgy.
Invoke that patriotism and love for the consti-\
tuition, which urged you at gloomy aud porientous
period, to resist the efforts grind you To dust
aud ashes," now TO defeat the more peaceful and
silent but not less dangerous spirit OF encroachment
by which you assalled. 1t has become favor
lite theme of defamation, that Virginia has lost
her influence; that she has deprecated in talents
that her of statesmen has worn out These
sentiments proceed from friendly source. They
have obtained currency from those who wish to
bring our principles and opinions into disrepute.
They have received, however, color semblance
of truth, from the fact, that il has become too much
the fashion to suffer Of our most able and en-
lghtened citizens 10 remain unmerte,l obscurity
IN the selection Tor oihce, should discard pri-
yate and personal considerations; should select
the best qualified serve the state 1t Is not
for the sake of the individual to be appointed but
10 promote the good of the country, that Offices
are created in a republic, and every man who is
called upon to vote for public officer should have
The patriotism and magGanimy 10 sacrifice individu-
al feeling the altar of his country. Let this
course be pursued, and il will be soon manifest 10
the world, that we have citizens enoughof distin-
-eminence she has been wont to occupy
/ have stated that the rights OF the states are in
extreme dagger Few oil those who have been
In the habit OF acting with the republican party
deny, or doubt this. The question is, how this
danger is to be averted? | answer, not by apathy
or dependency, but by every whether in a
public private station, eXerng his best faculties
to compel those who administer our affairs 10 con-
fine themselves within the boundaries OF the con-
siitu:ion. The people and the state legislatures
mast take this subject into their own ma agement,
and have regard in them selection for Office, The
opinions these momentous subjects, of the
persons whom they elect. The public sen inent
when fully expressed, and thoroughly understood
on these points, cannot, will not be resisted by our
public functonaries Nor is any tirde TO be lost
The progress oil Invasion on the sovereignty oil the
states proceeds with gigantic strides Ifnot resisted,
the general government will become every thing and
the states nothing. Opinions are now publicly and
unbesitatingly avowed on this subject, and appar-
entity without exciting surprise or dsapprobation
which some years ago would have been most appall-
ing * would have been insuperable barrier to pro-
motion to those who should advocate them. This
very nsensblty to danger, is the strongest proof o!
tsmminence and the nfalble precursor Of nischieis
the most destructive. Now Thea the stand is TO be
made! Now, are you, If ever ito enter your solemn
protests in your state and National Councils, against
those rules and maxims oil constructions which tend
TO subveTt your constitution, and in fact TO pro-
dlce a radical change, and revolution in the ma
ture, and character OF your government. If you
remain silent, and passive in this state of things
you will suffer the chains of consolidation to be
riyetted on you, and Jour posterity. Amongst the
most efficient OF constitutional resistance
left to the states, Is their weight in the Senate OF
the United StaiesSThe proper and appropriate de-
tenders of the rights of the states, are the Repre-
senta'ives Of the states. The relation which the
Seaate bears to the states, and its participation ia
both the Legislative, and Executive powers of the
Union, eminenily qualify it, to check and ,fTus-
trate any measures which have a tendency to de-
sroy the ederatiye features ofour government, and
convert it into one OF an imperial, aud consollda-
ted character. The most enlightened statesmen OF
all political parties, have admitted, that the nevita-
bic effect of such change in our political system
will ultimately be, to produce despotism No
government short OF this, will be able in the alb
sence Or after the degradation oil the stale autbori-
ties conrou the destnies OF this great and extend
ed country, embracing it does, such variety of
climates and such diversity of population, and
interests. The importance OF the appointment OF
Senator OF the United States, is always very great
But for the considerations have stated, it is EN-
phatcally so, at this crisis. Cast your eyes around
you, and say who in Virginia, is best calculated 10
assert and defend those great principles, for which
you have been so long the advocates? Who pos
seSses The requisite experience IN public aiiaiTs!-
The knowledge of the important questions which
are 10 be decided Who has the powers of a master
ly debater' And who, reckless Of personal conse-
quences TO himself, and unseduced by the bandish-
ments Of power, will with fearless intrepedity
throw himsellnto the breach, and lead where honor
and patriotism point the way. The times require
such a man. The character Of the state unjustlJ
charged with degeneracy Of talent, if not of prn-
cipe demands him 1t your hands,
d. .
will be reflected back upon those who appoint him
Aci In this inalance then. nnnn hrnad and neneral