Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-03-11
CoMMUMICATIoM
FOR THE EMO UIRER.

COMMUNICATIONS.
FOR THE E.FQ UIRER.
NEW SERIES-No. TO-
by the Author of Political Disquvu,]
The Golden CAsKEr-or, Tie Presidents
Jhessdge--or, proclamation of great civil
RESOLUTION, in the governments Of " this Union.''
'Ai that slisiers is not gold.
"Uhen have YOU heard that told
Many man his life hath sold,
But my outside TO behold
"Gilded fouos do uvrn,, intott,
Had you been as lrist y, bold,
"a Your Rad GOT been ,h-crolld:
Fare you .eA: your suit is eoid.'-(Shnfe5Ptar
.dUt Cesar -.dut 1,ulkls.
In the message, the President SUGGESTS three ge-
neral sources from which he attempts to derive
powers to the General Gov ernment. If these be
legitimate for the derivation Of powers,
1t is admitted, that he may, through either of them
derive unlimited powers for the practical govern
nent. The President selects the power of ma
king internal improvements as the first, and favo-
rie example Of derivation of power from each
source; and makes 1t the master power, which will
involve in its exercise all subordmations He car
fes this preference far, TO comprehend with
,in this master power the decentralization of The
globe; and building light houses of the skies. The
rrst source for the derivation OF power according
70 the writer's understanding OF it, is the social
compact, OF " the great object of the Institution OF
civil government' SUPPORTED by the divine assigns-
an association Of the general governments with the
other governments of the world, and the relative
duties growing out OF that association. The third
From constructive powers 10 be exercised ovel
the Constitution OF the U. S. The claim of pow
er under the first source of its dervation IS sc.
i2rh In the message in The following words
Upon the first occasion of addressing the Le-
gislature Of the Union, with which l have been
bonored, in presenting to their view, the execu-
ton, SO Tar II has been effected of the
sanctioned by them, for Promoting the internal
Improvement OF our country, cannot close the
communication without recommending to thei,
calm and petseveTiRg consideration, the general
principle in more enlarged extent. The great
object ofthe institution of civil government, is the
Improvement Of the condition Of those who are par
ties to The socaal compact. Ard no government
IN whatever form constituted, can accomplish the
lawful ends of rs institution, but IN proportion as
1t improves the condition Of those over whom i!
is established. Roads and Canals, by multiplying
and facilitating the communications and intercoui sc
between distant regions, and nuhtudec of men
are amongst the most important means OF improve
ment. But moral, political, intellect al improve
men', arc duties assigned, by the author of our
Existence to social, less than to individual man.
For the fulhlment OF those duties, governments
are invested with power; and to the attainment OF
tue end, the progressive Improvement OF the son
dhion OF the governed, The exercise Of deiep ate,i
power, Is duty as sacred and Indispensable, as
the usurpatlon OF power not granted Is criminal
aud odious. Among the first, perhaps the very
INST INSTRUMENT Tor the Improvement OF the con-
dItion OF men, is knowledge; and 10 the acouisi-
hon oil much OF The knowledge adapted TO the
wants, the comforts, and enioynents, of human
life, public institutions and seminaries OF learn.
Ing are essential II is easy 10 see that thi,
quotation contains reassertioA Of the general prn-
cip!es advanced in the Ohio letter. and recommend.
Its adoption So in more enlarged EXTENT II
would seem, that the Presden is resoiv ed TO die
by ms hrst Impressions declared in that letter
or carry IT'S principles into effect, (" ia more en-
Iarged e2tent;" and for that purpose, employs the
iorego1s metaphysical distractions, most singular
~ conceived and arranged.
Before the writer undertakes the task of tlery-
pheriog the contents of the foregoing quotation
he begs the reader to examine them well himself
and 10 ascertain The true meaning and objects
Let him ask himself, whence the derivation oil
power claimed under this quotation? by whom
are the duties of moral, political, and intellectual
Improvement assigned TO social man. BY whom
are governments invested with power, for the full
hment OF those duties? BY whom Is the power
Delegated; the exercise Of which, is a sacred and
Indispensable duty! What limitations are there
..pon such delegated power? Are there any lirni-
do they SoT,-s~Ss tf mere be no limitations uDon
.he ddeseted power, how can there be sny usuy-
patton OF peyer not granted, which would be
LIHu4udi anu ouIousE Is there any appeal TO the
Constitution OF the u. S. for the purpose of ascer
gaming and adjusting all these great fundamental
bointsy The liter will readily admit that if the
President can rjgsiuHy avail himself Of" the gre.
sbec' Of the institution OF civil government and
sssignatIon OF governmental duties by The author
u oar existence, for the derivation of any power
whatever to the general government that the
Power thus derived, is Unlimited, because il il pa
Tanount, and undefned; and of course, must be
unHniiied. But il is denied, that the general 90
vefnment, as constituted, has any thing to do with
- the great object of the institution Of civil 20
Yernment, )" in regard 10 the improvements of the
condition of those who are parties to the social
compact; Shat being subject Of original para
mount power, when the general government is a
secondary subordinate power, depending for its
owe organization, and for al it's legitimate pow
efs upon that original paramount power. That
original paramount power exists in the will of the
people, Of the parties TO the social federal COM
pact, and is ordained, and proclaimed in their con-
stituton: the only grant Of power to the general
government. The general government itself, be-
ing secondary derivstiye power, cannot claim
any original power whatever; but must look for
ali its own legitimate powers, to the terms Of the
grant, in which they are ordained and declared, to
witt TO the Constitution OF the U. S. when the
people Of s',s Y 5. in their previously sxpGsied