Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-02-23


Europe, with few partial and unhappy excep-
tions, has enjoyed ten years Of peace during which
all her Governments, whatever the theory of their
constitutions may have been ely taught
10 ieei that the end of their institution is the hap
piness OF the people; and that the exercise of pow
among men can be justified only by the blessings
1t aoufers upon those whom it is extended -
Upon reading this volunteer, insulated section
In The exordum of the message, whilst lis effects
VIII De found In the peroraion, the writer's first
impression, suggested the following enquiries: For
what purpose were the contents of this section in
"oduced here! I'd, what lessons have been taught
20 the powers OF Europe sin ce The European peace
which caused them z" to feel, that the end of their
institutions is the happiness of the people, and the
exercise OF power among men can be justified only
oy the blessings it confers upon those over whom
" Is exeried? And what demonstrations all the
powers OF EuIcpe.r' whatever the theory of their
constitutions may have been :" have given within
the last ten years of having been taught, within
,nat Tune, these beneiicent lessons which could
nave entered INTO the Presidents CONCENTRATIONS ?
From long habit the President seems to have ac-
CURED peculiar faculty of transposing any par,ic-
uiar impress from his own mind, TO that of another
py The use OF general abstract phrases which he
seems TO prefer, upon delicate occasions az if TO
AVOID the responsibilities arising from particular
applications, whilst he thus effects his object. in
making The Intended impression. Upon first read
ing TINS quotation, the impression made upon the
writer's mind, was that th.re no difference in
The forms or theories of constitutions the ends of
all being the same; that the iucstmable federatiye
principle in the American institutions had been
heretofore mistaken; and that the distribution of
powers under that principle, and the limitations of
the powers of the practical governments, had los,
all their peculiar merits, never POSSESSED any:
and without an effort of mind on the part of the
writer, Pope's notions OF the forms, and theories
OF government Involuntary presented them
selves, as expressed by himself in the followinq
lines
For forms Of government let fools contest
That which is best administered is iesio
And In the common course of the succession of
IDEAS, this impression followed by another.
prhduced by the opinions expressed, in substance
In Mr. Adams's Ohio Letter: That the peonIe
could not be SO ineffably stupid in the perform
ance OF their work, when, in forming their govern
rnen, as 10 deny TO it the means of beering their
own condition: since the whole merits of 90
veTnments consist, not in their forms and theories
but IN their administrations. The writer from .
long course OF reflection upon the subject differs
essentially, both with the President and Mr.. Pone
respecting the maeria!ity of the forms and the
cries OF governments. He believes the difference
consists in the selection of great principles in ne
tnre,or In mistaken notions of principles no. found
IN nature, "a the basis of different sovar,mer,s.
| when introduced into the formation of Gundamen,a
laws, have very different tendencies in PRODUCING
good results, from mistaken principles in produc
ing bad results upon the different practical 90.
vernments, founded upon them respectiyelv. That
good principles derived froin nature and made the
basis OF fundamental laws, will inirinsicaIly pro
auce good tendencies la tine practical government,
iounded upon them; whilst mistaken PRINCIPLES moi
found IN nature, will intrnsicaly produce evil re-
suits; and that the great art in forming cons,;tu
tons, or fundamental laws, consists in cboos;np
the natural principles, having in themselves good
and avoiding mistaken principles, having in them
selves evil tendencies The writer thinks tina,
these principles in nature, having good tendencie.
IN themselves, ought 10 form a new science in noI.
ties, distinct from the science of political economy
as heretofore explained. He thinks also. i, mar
ticulary belongs to America to introduce this ev
science into the world, which would renay viii
political light all the scientific light received from
the rest OF the world. This point is Introduce,
here merely as an intimaton of the grounds of III,
writer's difference OF opinion, additionally to m,
experience OF the practical effects of Americ.r
theories with the great poet and the great poli,
cian; and, having bestowed much reflection unor
TINS important subject, may hereafter present to thu
public considerations the results of such
In the mean time, he invites his coun,rymen IN IN
critical examination of this suggestion and >,
unite their reflections with his upon IT, He ,l;,L
that drawing more accurately and certainly the lin,
OF deuiarRation, between individual and govern
mental rights, to which the science would direr,,
lead, must tend 10 add more security 10 individual
rights against governmental oppression ,han any
science which has been heretofore discovered m.
writer is utterly at loss TO conceive what demon
STATIONS oil the governments Of Europe. {" what
ever tho theory OF their constitutions NAV bav,
oeen, have given, within the last ten wears, gin r.
the European peace, Of having been taught &c Il
feel that the end Of their institution i, the bann
ness OF the people; and that tbs exercise Of mower
among men, can be justified only by the blessings
1t confers upon those over whom il is exerted -
Gould the President mean 10 include the HOLY AL
: lance, as one OF The beneGcent lessons. which
have been taught 10 " all the Kuropean eov.rn.
ments," within the Last ten years? Could he have
included within these demonstrations of new he.
nehcentl essons, the French crusade in Spain with
the - Gordon sanitaire,' for the purpose of crush
ing In the bud, the noble efforts making bv IN,
gallant, and intelligent part Of the Spanish neopI,
10 throw OIL their cruel 6espotc chains, and &c
regain their long LOST liberties? BY means of which
machlavean policy, and wicked, bloody crusade,
not ouiy has liberty been completely inundated IN
SPAIN but, perhaps, the last drop of tbe bes
Spanish blood has been made TO floyy in s,r,nnt,
TO save the sdored Goddess from that irnpious i'm
notation, whilst the miserable remnant Of H.,
spanish people, are placed under still more gallips
heavy chains. Cruel chains, on conscience, on
mind, on body!U Did the President intend Ia
include m his high eneomiurn, the demonstration.
OF Austria In Sicily, Naples, and Piedmont: Made
Tor the same objects, and with the like success
Did he mean TO include the demonstrations of all
the European governments towards Greece9 To
wards classic Greece, when, after remaining for
centuries, under the Barbarian MussuInan's iron
rod, iber spirits broken Her morals gone-TIer
ancient energies unnerved- Her treasures plunde,-
ell When Greece once more calls forth the latent
germ OF the still remaining virtues of her GodHke