Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-11-24

bic Ultra Doc rines of the day, you have pai AIDED
a list OF authorities which claim passing notice.
The greater part OF these authorities had been pre-
viously cited by on. We have shown how u,
terly insufficient they yet, you still press them
upon your readers as conclusive. The lucid ex
positions OF the Constitution by the sages of the
land, the arguments and the practice Of the Rcpub
iicans have been di-regarded, sorhisiically em-
ployed in opposition 10 the stream of light ,ha,
fo' from them
You first cite act OF Congress passed during
Gen Washinston's administration, 10 show tha,
tave- may " be laid and collected for other pur-
poses than the express enumeraiions OF the Con-
siiIu'ion The preamble to that act reads:
90 Whereas i, Is necessary for the support OF gu
vernment, Tor the discharge OF the debts OF the u.
States and the enc0urGg enient of manufacture ,
that duties be laid on goods, &c. Imported" You
also cite the second Message uf Gen. Washington,
in which he recommends 90 the advancement oil
Agriculture, commerce and manufacturers" -new
invenio from abroad and their production al
home the Post-ofiiee and Post Roads Science,
and Literature a National University. His last
Message, equally urgent upon these points. is also
quoted.
We yicid to in admiration of the viz
tues, In gratitude for the extraordinary services
OF this illustrious beneiactor of the human race
His opinions were always sincere and dsin, crested.
But, you are not now, surely, to learn, tor the
first time, thai, il during the Administration of
General Washington tina, differences of opinion
began TO arise among the people the extent OF
the powers intended to be conferred By the Const-
tuition. IL was then, as Judge Marshall tells us in
his Lite OF Gen, Washington, that those distinct
and visible parties took their origin, which have
since agitated our country. This difference of
pinion, as TO the jus, Interpretation of the Con
stitufion, began 10 display itself among the fran
eTs OF that instrument. Ii was then, that tho, e
marked differences OF opinion appeared In the En-
ecutive Cabinet, which have extended themselves
TO our feilow-citzeDs at large. Ii was then tina,
Jefferson and Hamilton composed their ceebrate e.,
papers upon the Unitcl States Bank Bill, whose
principles formed the doctrines of the Republican
and the Federal Schools. These facts are not to
be denied. They are matter of record. The
great man, who then presided over the government,
Inclined more to the doctrines of MIR. Hamilton
than OF Mr.. !effersoni as sufficiently appears BY
his taking the side of the former on the BAN,
Bill.
But several of his propositions, to which YOU
have referred, were not considered with the same
attention, which he had given to the Bank His sug-
ge'tions as to the National University, Boards of
Agriculture, &c, were not deliberately weighed
or so seriously decided They are, therefore, more
an 0bifeT dicfum; which would NOT be valid, even
as Judicial question: much less on political
matter, where the authority of precedent Can never
supersede that OF reason of the Constitution
Let II too, be recollected of these powers, wiz:
Charters and University it had been proposed
In the General Convention, to conceIe them bv
SPECIFIC clauses In the Constitution, and that the
propositions had been negatived.
But the wind which had been soved bv 81,
Alexander Hamilton reaped in a ykirl-
wind afterwards. Ii was during the Admiuistra
ton OF the elder Mr.. Adams, that the mos, ami
mated discussions took place before the peoDye. a.
the only aToiters In questions SO nearly con-
nec'ed with their own happiness and the .ta =
billy of their government. The result of this
appeal TO public opinion, is now a prom;nen,
part OF the history of our country The extrayaeant
claims OF the then dominant party TO the exercise
OF constructive and implied powers, we're rejected
with an energy and unanimiiy tina. il was hoped
would not so soon have been forgotten Blu, these
Claims, as we noticed in a former letter are now
revived TO an extent even more alarming And
that they should be sustained BY you, Sis, is what
sUe could never have supposed.
In your - summary of authoriiies'' Won have
again quoted Mr. Jeiterson's Inaugural Speech and
his last Message TO Congress. The use you max e
OF this authority is Characteristic of your dplom,.
tic talent; and illustrates the facility with which
men sometimes permit themselves 10 make boi5
assertions, alike injurious TO their candour and their
argument. Mr.. Jefferson says:
Shall the revenue be reduced? or shall il pot
rather be appropriated 10 the Improvement of roads
canals, rivers, education, and other great fcunds.
lions oil prosperity and union, under the mowers
which Congress may already possess, or such
amendment oil the Constitution as may be approved
Wy the STATES. While uncertain of the course of
things the time may be advantageously employed
in obtaining the powers necessary for system of
Improvement, should thai be thought best
Ibis Is your comment on this Quotation.
Here Is distinct admission by Mr. JEFrrR
SON, which no sophsIry can disprove or neutraIize
that congress already possess some powers
over g the Improvement of roads, canals. rivers.
and other great foundations of prospertv
and union.'
Here indeed is the genius of " sophistry," itself
ne iast sentence Cf tue quotation must have been
added by your oificious - compositorp: for -ou
have cited the same passage uoon ne beeo, . ,s.v-
ing out THIS important sentence The question
with Mr.. Jefferson was, whether the surplus
revenue should be appropriated to the sc iraprope
ment Oh roads, canals, rivers and education:'' OR
10 other great foundations of prosperity and un
ion"--sbould Congress think a system of i'm
provemeDt better than other great foundations
oi property and union then, g in obtniuiuo the
power necessary he advises that The period OF
uncertainty, (as to the course of particular
venus explained In the preceding part of the
Aiessage) should be employed. This is the Oh.
vious meaning of the paragraph. Nor !. ,bs
meaning varied by Mr. Jefferson's ba wing n-sJ,ts
conjunction and, for which, in our interpretatioo
we have substituted 0r.'' The powers vyb,rb Cor.
5ress " already possess" would still sppl, TO /" n
her great foundations Of prosperity &. union; a the
suggested amendnents TO " thesystem ofimproye.
nem.V In another message MIR Jefferson. in adj.
Yering to the importance of internal inproyemen,s
-econn ends appeals to the states for new grants
81 ROVER 10 enable Congress TO make hem
ana Notwithstanding all this, you have the bar.
jihood % assert that he was Of ot,inio, ,b,, a.
power already exlsfsi That nroat .,.....- -