Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-02-16

he 9TH Volume tine Journals OF the Conv enion.
illustrating, that Congress has no, power to lay
tax on imports for any purpose except revenue,
this principle has been, generally, recognized as
resulting from the spirit OF the constitution; but the
fac, Just stated places the subject ON a firm basis,
aud should satisfy scepticism itself.
have now discussed all the points of mpor-
pance, TO which we were directly invited By the
report of the special committee. II l. true have
not taken up in their order the numerous resolu-
tons attached to it. They neither answers
to the late governors message, nor deductions OF
The preamble to which they are appended.
glance vii! satisfy you, that of them POI
litical truisnas, which j, would be ridiculous la
Dor 60 discuss: those denying the right of the Lee
gisiature to demonstrate, noticed as much as,
think, they merit, in my Introductory remarks;
| ali such are worthy of any attention ale 20 art
fully couched, that they elude the grasp of the
subject, with the chanselul dexteri,y Of Proteus.
l have, therefore, endeavored To seize, only, Oh
those important points; which spring out of that
part Of the message, on which the whole report
should have been based, (and which will be found
of vital interest TO the repubc) in order to hold
item up in naked and lrighlful relief, to the
world. And you will perceive, that the argu
mer.s which have advanced 10 prove, that all
after the FIRST clause of the report, should be
stricken out, go, also, 10 shew, that The amend
nent proposed by my friend from York (Mr.
Sm,h) should prevail; for his amendment, is, in
effect, only reply to the odiou~ parts of the report
From all that has been said, then, we are led to
| the painful conclusion, that the doctrines of our
political opponents, tend TO a consolidated 60
rerviment. For, the first step toward it is, for the
I6eneral government 10 grasp with insatiae ambi-
ton for powers not expressly delegated by the
States. This step has been taken. And may
that God, who, during the dark storms of the
volution breathed wisdom into councils, and
gave victory 10 our arms, preside over US, and an
rest the march ofle republic 10 ruin!
1t has long been question, with American
statesmen, whether there is in this country more
danger of consolidation than OF disuni0n. Lib
eral construction out of the question, and still,
think it demons,rable that the tendency is to pow
er IN the federal head notwithstanding the laborst
essays Of the Federasi and of 81 One of the PEG
| pe' 10 the contrary.
This position will not be denied that in proper
ton as the States have increased in number the,
a have decreased in relative Importance; and i, i
equally clear that while the States from that cir
cumstance, have decreased in relative importance
that the Influence of the General Government ha
increased; ii is obviously, more difficult to procure
an alteration amendment of the Constitute,
now, than it was i'll The infincy of the government
for the papable reason, that it is more difficult 4
, obtain concurrence of three ourhs of twenty
tour than it was formerly concurrence of ihr ee
4 i
other which have not, now, time I,
state, that power may be welded more efTecual
n ly, and terribly now, by the General Government,
f than 1t could have been in the infancy of the gov
4 ernmeni; consequently, the tendency has been AM
;. now is to power in the federal head.
An argument may, also be drawn from OH
short history; TO illustrate this fact. 1t is that in
il Engagements on the States, by the General Govern
ment, have been alarming and repeated, while on
AN mall aR nr1h ttf Sf,lit
: the contrary; and that occurred in New Ensant
p during The late
II Again: The iispotency of the nsitutions an
v laws OF States, when they come in collision wit
!. the constitution and laws OF the Union, furnish
. strong additional argument, TO show the danger q
g concentration OF all important powers in Tie fc
:, derdI head.
! And when we reflect on the doctrines which.
lear are at this time, TOO successfully preached
:. this country, have we not just and solemn reason
to tear and tremble, at the awful tendency of now
), er toward the federal head?
IL the tendency, then, is TO consolidated gov
eminent, the inquiry might be made: WI;
O would be its effect upon the three great co-ord
a nate branches of government: Time forbids ,ne I
# give even a rapid outline of the startling picture
How Can pause, even 10 anticipate the alartrin
increase OF Legislative po,oer; much les, 10 depie
Its despetic sway! How dwell, to delineate tn
vast boundaries oil judicial discretion; much les
o to mark its diretu operation, upon the rights {
= persons and the rights of States? How pause
! to describe the mighty machinery of erccu
y tire patronage, the internal ambition of err
ecutiUe pO,cer, and the disgustful tears an
= prayers, OF seryi!e mendican,s; much less. I
. scan the ioes and The crimes OF sddy adn,inistr,
: tons, or to depct the specres of departed fe,
!, dom mourning over the ruins OF distracted and ROT
ten States! Such government, would be III
:, badge of political inquity; the hot bed of ever
=. political sin; anda curse upon any people Cor
lecture runs wild at the mere suggestion Of il.
= turn with painful apprehension from the pictur
. which fancy would paint
i Alter even this rapid view, Of this most inn
= tant subject, trust, it will not require a yoic
= from the eternal world predict, that the last rus
:, OF a consolidated government, would be, eitbe
s into -fnarchy or .MonUchy; and here too,
4 must be excused from attempting to describe III
furious licenIiousness Of the one or the despotis,
OF the other: Suffice it, only, to say, should IN;
= time ever arrive, this great Republic, which ha
> existed-the pride Of .freemen-the dread q
, despofs--the Conder Of The rd-will expi,
f with CONFUSION, which will shake the continen
!, I See Federalist, Numbers IL, IS 10, 20; ais
q essays signed " One OF the People,
\ -----z<ssrt ezfEHss> xxxuD-----
! CONGRESS.
0 WAsHINGToN, Feb IL In the Senate, the bi