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

her sovereignty, there was of course, renunciatio
OF her government. What a spectacle did thi
country then exhibit? A people without govern
tnent, without laws, and without the means OF com
ior'aoie subsistence, engaged in desperate strus
gle with one of the most powerful nations OF
earth; but united, and harmonious still;-movin;
70 oa'ie with front impenetrabe as the Grecial
pnaianX' and as terrible as the Roman legion.
1t was soon found requisite, from the very ma
ure OF The case, not only, that the States shouls
form local governments, and laws, but that they
s"ou'a De bound together, politically, by on,
common tie OF union. Under all the disad ANITA
ges WHICH have been described, articles Of con-
'eaeraion were agreed upon by Congress in 1878
ana alter Jealous contention. and grievoas delay
oy some 81 the YATES, ratification was ultimatei,
e"ec'ea In 1881, when the system commenced
operation. This was the first shadow of a gene.
raj government, that this country ever experienced
ana II was OF but short duration; the practice of
lew years exposed defects, which called aloud for
remedy. Indeed, so crying were the evils, tina,
.he conederacy was threatened by a civil war, as
direiui as that Of the Peloponnessian, and more
eventiul than that which dsgraced Marius and
Scyila These evils, obviously. proceeded from
want oil power and energy in the general govern
ment. II Is evident that it should have had the
power oil operating not only upon States, bat up
OH dviduais; that il should have had judiciary
separate Legislative department the power oil
regulating trade, and OF raising a revenue: more
enicient power OF raising armies. In short, to-
tai revision of the system was necessary. TO the
preservation OF our liberty but the nonitory
voice OF history, independent of these facts
warned US OF our danger, by teaching us the
tate OF similar systems. The Amphctyonic Coun.
cii' the Achean and Lycean leagues, the Helvetic
eontederacy, the Germanic body, the United
Netherlands; and, in truth, all the conieteraci.s
Oh whichwe have any authentic account, go 10
settle The principle beyond scruple, tha, nothing
ou' equal, efficient, energetic laws, can bind diff
ierent States OF the same compact, their respec-
i've orbits, and keep them true TO one common
centre.
Impressed with these important truths, a conven
uOh OF delegates, appointed by the several States,
assembled in Philadelphia in 1887, for the purpose
OF revising the articles of confederation, and of
FORMING Constitution for the United States OF
America They had assembled but short time.
before the convention was shaken by moral tenn
pest. Sectional feeling, and the pride of opinion.
asufped The place of liberal policy with some.
a contest, ther, for STATE Rights, or national
Pn'oer, uiumphed over the more liberal feelings of
diners. Large States contended for great power,
sh'ai states for sovereign equality. So futile was
argument, when 3 compromised with interest. that
~''''O" wa at Nhieicbt times on the eve OF
dissolution. This was, certainly. a momentous
crisis VIII you be ason-hed when inform
you, that some, conspicuous for talents learning
anu commanding Influence, proposed a division Of
osr territory, SO 10 have three distinct executive
departments, which would have planted Sparta,
an Athens, and Thebes, with all their thirst for
conquest, and contention for empire, where now
honiishes vast, united, and happy republic |!
Will you be COMPOUNDED when l tell you, that
others, equally high in the annals of their coun-
uy, ana OF lame, advocated The proprie,y of esa-
bIishlns governTent similar in principle, to that
which we had JUS, renounced; nay, even more
Objectionable and perncious, an elective Monar-
chg. And, startle not, when l assert that the
SAME Hamilton, who rendered himself immortal,
ny unfolding the superior advantages of our Con-
situ,ion, and who, though in his grave, is regarded
by some, as the founder of the party + whose
policy we are this day called upon 10 inv estigate
was the author of that plan BE not indignant at
MS spirit, beseech you, for he a dev oied pa
triot, an Intimate associate of Washington, and
friend oil American liberty. The peculiar si,ua-
non OF the members of the convention, is suifi-
cient apology, il any is requisite for their cashng
opinions. They were, if may so speak, mari
ners on the great OCEAN of experiment, without
= chart or compass" In vain did they apply 10
other republics for legislative light they had fall
len. In vain did they consult the pages OF history
lof there they found nothing but the revolution of
empires, and the wreck of states. These were
negative lessons, which taught them the fate of
other republics without affording one positive clue,
10 the grand object for which they toed But in
uenance OF all these disadvantages, and of the
coR'ehding passions which have been described,
they presented TO the citizens of United America.
one OF the most astonishing specimens of egisla-
'ion, that human genius ever framed. A Constitu-
lion, founded on principles of natural and political
equality, embracing and securing the dearest in,e-
rests oil the people OF great nation, and calcu-
's'ed 10 extend It's blessings TO future times |
am, really, more than astonished when reflect,
now an assembly distracted by such diversity OF
opinions, and warped by such variety of Interests
without single precedent to direct them, could
nave blended IN such beautiful harmony, all the
cobnic'ns elements Of passion, interest and opin-
lon' and by one effort OF their own great origina-
W give existence TO model of government,
and unsurpassed in the annals of the
void. And how painful is the thought. thai this
constitution, which cost our forelaihers so much
ss1iety and toll, and which is the anchor OF the
ifeeman'S hope, and the rock Of his salvation
should be assailei by men, protesting and,
trust, believing themselves to be American oa-
triotsi
Aiier this sketch Of the history of the formation
OF our government, we are naturally led 10 en-
quire into It's nature. And here ! will dwell for a
Few moments, on question which has been often
asitated by American statesmen. II is whether
this Is national or .federaI gopernD,ehf9 This
y"i perceive, has peculiar bearing on the suisse
quent discussion. For, if the government is ma
honal, an argument may be deduced from the fact.
IN favor OF that construction which would 20 to
strengthen national power. If it is federal, by a
parity OF reasoning, it might be commended, that
principles OF construction should be favorable to
State power III partly federal and partly national,
rule OF construction might be plausibly contended
ior, different from that which should prevail in
ehher OF the cases just stated. am, however,
clearly 81 opinion, that the charscteric features Of