Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-11-10


quh'ly claimei The virtual power in question as
being within his " constitutional competency
Yet not whisper has since escaped yon upon
the suhlect.-As TO the Mission itself, il is
most certain, that whether its objects have essen
ti'lly changed, or your own opinions of il, there
has been a most remarkable variation in the tone
you employ. We cheeIfully concede, that you
formerly objected to the mission viewing the Con-
gress OF Panama in the light OF an Amphy elton c
Council. and Directing to our taking any part in
their deliberations and forming any entsngling al =
lance with foreign states We also concede, that
you have never enthusiastically approved the
measure in any shape Whatsoever But 1t is equal
ly certain, as you confess, that believing that it
would produce no evil, anil might be productive Of
coed, and regarding il besides a in'rk of respect
TO the Nations Of the South you inclined TO favor
the Mission Bu, is il certain, a. YOU assumed
in December, that the President did not intend an
improper arrangements with tie members of the
Congress! Was not the H. Of r. induced
by the Documents before them to adopt Mr.
McLane's warning resolution: We understand
that in April LIST, you were of opinion that
III, however, nothing more be meant by ii than
conference of Ministers from the several govern
ments, 10 consult upon what the interests OF the
whole may seem TO require do not know that
we should see any other obi, cton 10 II than that
II can De productive OF nothing beneficial; il being
obvious, that the views which each nation ma,
entertain OF ITS own interests rights, and duties,
will In no manner be changed or influenced by
what may be thought OF them by the Ministers of
other government. II such conference were
proposed, perhaps mere courtesy might induce an
assent 10 1t on the part Of this government were it
only TO assert, in that conference the doctrine lha
IN becoming Independent OF the METROPOLITAN gov
ernmens, the governments of America ought
not, and, As far as re.pect- this people, Will
not be dependent another.''
! In December your objection vani,hes, no ex-
ceptlon at ali IL expressed TO the Mission Itself or
the shape which 1t assumed. Il does no, strike
| YOU, that IT mere conference were Intended To
convey he intentions OF our government. mere
courtesy" might be perfectly satisfied with a
| simple unosentatious Conn issioneT instead of a
| pompous display of two Ministers Extraordinary.
| The Opposition to the Mission would not have
! objected TO such an arrangement: yet they were
MOI forIuaie enough 10 obtain your support
! Why, gentlemen, do you throw down your def
ance p" 10 the Enquirer, and all its host 10 point
to single occasion, in political life of twenty
years, when we have held language, or expres.
ed sentiment, in relation the powers of the
1eneral Government, at variance with those 10
which the Enquirer has taken exceptioni" WHY
deiy Us TO point out the slightest indication
oil vaciation OF opinion on this subec, on (your)
part!' Far be any such suspicion or suggestion
from US, gentlemen We 30 not nov pretend that
IN
Congress. So far from it, it has been a source
OF our complaint, that you have supported the
dangerous usurpations OF the federal government
ana sireng ,hened lis at the expense of the
Sta es We admit, that you have always sick
led tor the power; though we confess that va,
have not always adhered to the same grounds for
the assumption. AT time, you have derived
the power Of Internal Improv ement fro N the
clause for establishing post roads. When re-
minded
fly to the clause about regulating The com
merce between the states. When pressed again
! y the eXtfavagant consequences Of such a
construction, you are compelled 10 take re-
fuse in the War-power. Your views of the
Constitution seem TO vacillate different periods;
and new authorities appear to be generated by new
rules OF construction. WHY no. have saved ms a,
once from all this laboTed specification of rowers,
by adopting the rule which you threw OUT only last
week! The proposition of the Msnumission So
ciety OF Baltimore, you say, is 90 not contrary to
the Constitution money may be appropriated by
Congress TO send the freedmen out of the coun-
try, because II is not &" contrary to the constitu
tlnn" 1T You mean, that i, is permitted, we then
call upon you 10 point out the specific clause which
gives the power. Ii you mean, that it is mot
prohibited, we ak you why you have Il lot applied
Ibis summary process of construction Roads are
not prohibited; nor canals, nor universities; argoL
they are constitutional Are you aware, gentle
men, oil the injurious consequences OF the fippant
language which you have employ ed? Or are Won
serious IN II Where then will you s.op2 You
give money TO send the freedmen out Of The country
tor, II Is not contrary the constitution Upon
The same ground, why not give money TO manu-
MI! we cannot suppose you serious in IN 5 obi
mon But, we beg leave to call your attention to
the following extracts from the ~ Y Statesmen
OF The 5Oth ut. 1t may warn YOU how guarded
should be the terms, in which you ought TO speak
on this subject, or OF the .iilu,ion itself
. In the failure OF Stale Legislation on the
subject, Congress may provide uniform method
oil hoersling the whole body of the slaves Tile
power oil Congress to do this, ought not to be de-
MED by our southern brethren, who can find for
Congress in the Constitution the power of MAXIM
roads and canals in particular States at an immense
expense, 10 be borne b. the whole United States
AS THIS last power cannot be found in the mower
10 establish post Offices and post roads nor in
the power to regulate commerce. but rests
tDhotty upon the grant of authority to provide
tor he common defence and general welfare of the
United States ; so on the same grant may be
rested The power of providing by law for he en-
Tanchlsemen OF all the slaves. The public safe
ty, the common defence, the general welfare re-
qjires 1t, Tor In OF foreign war slavery paraly
ses the whole military strength of the South The
declaration OF Independence requires it, The rights
OF human natuse, and the pfecepts OF the Gospel
demand Il. Eyen the Constitution itself formed
to establisbjustice reqaifes it, act oil Justice
And what Is there IN me Constitution TO prevent
The exercise OF this power There is not a single
prohibtory clause.''
But enough ofthis!- Enough Of the course which
you have pursued as Editors Of public Journal,
Enough about your consistency or your lndrpen-
dence! The public who are most Interested in
these matters seldom in the opinion bich rbev
form. The friends OF the administration will ap-