Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-03-31

The writer, after bes.owing his best attention
upon a review OF the message, in relation TO the
Presidents abstract Views OF the theories and OBJ
jec,s Of civil governments, and his compar alive
views OF the general cove nment, with the gov ern-
nents of the rest of the world, as avowed therein
cannot avoid adopting the following conclusions
rs,. That, in the Presidents opinion, there is no
difference In tine theories of governmental institu-
tons; provided they leave the practical govern
ments perfectly free, in the choice.of means to
better the condition Of those, over whom they are
respectively extended.
81. That all governmental duties are assign ed
10" social man" by the author OF Our existence;
or in other words, that all governmental rights and
powers, are OF divine origin.
Sd. That Is no government in whatever form
constituted, can accomplish the lawful enls of its
institution unless it be left free to exercise an
unlimited discretion in the choice OF means, TO
better the condition Of those over whom ii is ex-
tended
4h That the restraints Of the will of consti,u-
en,s are absolutely incompatible with such I'm
liD,led discretion.
9TH. That In this important respect, the theories
Of European governments, particularly those of G.
Britain, France and Russia, have decided adv an
tage over the General Government; and that this
advantage must Continue, so long as the admins.
traitors of,he General Government shall condeseend
to be pal>ied by the will of their constituents
9th. That, it is in consequence of this ." ineffa-
BILE" advantage; that the governments of Great
Britain, France and Russia, repeatedly recon-
mended in the message, examples for imitation;
the opinions expressed in the 18th of July OIation
to the contrary notwithstanding.
Nor can the writer avoid expressing his great,
surprise, at the spirit which must have dictated the
following and other similar expressions, in mes
sage from the President Of the u. Sc Tho spiri,
Of improvement, Is abroad upon the earth. 1t stimu
ia;es the heart, and sharpens the faculties not of
or fellOw-citlzens alone, but Of the nations of
Europe, and Of their rulers" The facts here stated
are doublessly true. There is not only spirit of
Improvement abroad upon the earth; but Ills shirt
has been COMPUTED up into wild enthusiastic rage
for improvement Amidst this mschieyous raee
what was TO have been expected from a President
of the u. S.? That " he " ould have mounted tho
whr,wind," and added more destructive element.
Thunder and lightning, to the raging storm.m MOI
certainly not. But that he would the rather have
kept himself entirely aloof from the destructive
influence OF this destructive storm. That in the
midst off it, he would have remained steadfast in
mind, and purpose; and would have coolly and
eoher1y admonished the people Of the u S. against
its desolating effects That he would have to,d
ifrem there ought TO be no passionate excitemepts
intermixed with the mere business of internal i'm
provements; that IT was a matter for aritbmetical
calculation, to be decided by the tribunal entrusted
with the exercise of that power. That in The or-
gsnfzalion Of American institutions. the no,yer
over internal improvements, left with the stat q
governments; and that the General Goyernmen,
had nothing to do with it, That the state govo-n
ents had deeply participated in the universal race
for internal Improvements; and did not REQUIRE an
provocations TO exertiop. That individual inter-
/ nal improvements, IN all new countries, were more
beneficial than governmental ones Such sureI,,
would have been the suggestions OF wisdom and
moderation. This would have been the middle
path, heretofore strongly recommended 10 the Pre-
sident's observance; and the writer bonea and
thinks, the President himself will regret his depar.
ture from il within the next three years For. vvb.,
effects have already been disclosed, both abroad
and ut home, from this destructive storm? What
effects are felt from IL, at this moment in the orea,
money emporium of the world9 What scerss
does London exhibit at this moment? An the
wealth of London, nay, Of the whole British orr
pJe, could not Withstand the destructive raoe TO-
stock, and Improvements, both internal and ex,er-
nal. There are, too, some prophetic develone
tnents unfolding themselves in the u. s. which
lead TO The fond hope that the desolsne Storm
waste itself here within one more year syhou, M
Their mischefj and perhaps with the blessed elrec,
OF purifying the poisonous political atmosphere
The writer will now proceed to examine Tic
third source, resorted TO by the President, for tho
derivation Of power 10 the general eoyeroneo,
"Cossftuetive powers exercised over the Consu.
rulon Of tie U. s." These will be found in tbe
AFDWlnB quotation nom the message
PThe constitution under which you are assembled
seharter OF limited powers. After full and solemn
elaboration upon all or any OF the objects ,vbicb
urged BY an irresistible sense of my own dnfv 7
bsye recommended to your attention, should vou
come TO the conclusions that, however desirable il
tbeHlseives, the enactment Of laws for eFect;no
them would transcend the powers committed n 90
~ that venerable instrument which we are an
l5lnd TO support; let no consideration induce vo,
70 assume the exercise Of powers not granted 70
iou y The People. But, If the power to exercise
s&daiye legislation 10 ell cases wfnsoeyer oyer