Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-11-17
DOMESTIC.
VAJ.EDICrORY

Gazette" OF Charlottesville. In paying his las
respects to the subscribers of that MEMOIR he has de
livered an able and interesting paper; from which
we extract the following sentiments:
" Virginia may exul, with no ordinary satisfac-
lion, at the part she has borne in these events
Her crest is still elevated and untarnshed among
the foremost champions of that cause, which she
first TO epPouse, which she will be last to a.
bandon. In every exisency Of peace war, she
has preserved dignfied Consistency of deport-
nent, infiexibe devotion to principle, which nc
power could awe, temptation seduce. Her zeal
in establishing the independence and union of the
s,a'es, is eeualled Only by the fidelity with which
she adheres to the spirit of the charter ed rights and
powers of the confederacy. The elementary
principles OF the federal government, as they we're
arranged in the terms OF written constitution,
were thought plain and sufficient of them
selves to accomplish all the purposes for which
they were originally designed without the foreign
aid of implication. But the first practical opera
tons of that gov eminent, gave rise to two par
ties. distinguished by the opposite modes in which
they were disposed TO administer the delegated
power-they have continued To he present day,
under various denominations, and comprising at
intervals numerous subordinate interests and COM
bina,ions, but always retaining modified traits of
their original characters. These parties did not
originate in strife Unlike those tut bulent factions
which have poured out libations OF human blood
at the shrine OF ambition, they have wsged purely
intellectual warfare bearing the alternate success
of triumph and modification of defeat, with mo-
deraton and composure which evinced love Of
country superior TO every other consideration. II
the torch OF discord has been sometimes lighted by
sudden enthusiasm, il has been soon extinguished
and the danger passed by, ere IL had excited a
lsrm. Whatever may be the ultimate des,inies OF
country, there is little to be feared from doInes
tic violence. a sautary and efficient counterpoise
exists In the geographical relations and depended
cies of the states which has already operate ed,
perhaps 100 powerfully, To identify the members OF
the conieleracy one entire whole, without pre-
serving just and natural discrimination between
the several parts. There are few causes " hch
ever tend to produce permanent, territorial dis
tincons among US, anshchese are better calculated
10 excite the sympathieI Aan rancour OF benevo-
len, men. 1t may be regarded, thea, as our good
fortune, that the most serious difficulties likely 10
occur in the future history OF this country, will
probably present Intensely questions of policy s.
prerogative on the part the general government
questions which should be deliberated and debated
with temper, not inagnified and distorted into clus-
es of intestine hostility. On these subjects Yir-
GINA has maintained undertaking consistency
--holding now the same principles of strict and
literal adherence to the express charter of federal
power, of frugal, simple and scrupulous admins
tration OF that power, which she held in the be-
ginning. Unwilling TO barter to certainty for
has chung TO the specific terms Of the constitu-
ton, aud refused TO adopt any construction oil
those terms however plausible or beneficial, which
did not accord with the known spirit OF her COM
pact. The political virtue OF governments, like the
integrity OF man, is most endangered by the first
slight deyia,ions Tomthe onward paths ofrectituIe
While we resort to- no other source OF pow er than
the lei;er OF the constitution, we have always
safe and guide equally inellg bic TO our sens
pza and aT,rlfc IL In htt,x
abandon this, TO range in the inierminable expanse
OF constructive implications, we surrender the
safeguards OF limited government, for the capri
cious and variable will oil den.agognes. Wisdom
requires, that the powers ut our government
should be enlarged anu modified, so as 10 suit the
exigencies which have arisen AID must continue
TO arise in the progress OF lis rapid advances
from feebleness and Infancy TO strength aud MAUI
rity.
"Litile else remains TO the advocate Of a strict
construction Oi the federal constitutions than the
merit of consistency. That consistency has OH
many occasions ceased 10 be merit as il degene-
rated into obstinate churlishness or fastidous pru-
derry. Virginia now rallies the foflorn hope of
diminished minority-the few auxiliaries which she
claims are gradually yerging to equalization, and
she may soon stand alone, the sad memorial Of an
extingusied party. The novel and awkward di.
lemna TO which our state was reduced, by the ac-
cession OF the present Incumbent the presidential
chair, while it le no alternative but a choice Of
wills, was probably only the FIRST of long series of
similar difficulties. The explicit and repeat ed sane
lions of majority Of the people Of the u. States
have gone far to settle the future policy of our
government in relation to the contested points of
doubtful power. Shall acquiesce in these de-
cisions-attempt the vain task of convincing n
determined majority resist the exercise OF " hat
we believe an usurped authority? AS a member
OF the confederscy, Virginia has an inherent right
TO concede or withhold her assent 10 the prevail.
ing construction OF her compact but the conse-
qnences oil either course are painful, and should
not be lightly estimated. To compromise prlnci-
pies is effectually 10 abandon tiIem-io perseyere
IN iruiiless remonstrsnce is idle and ridiculous. Ii
Is not probable that the physical strength of Virgil
mia, VIII enable her TO become the arbitrstors OF
any future question Involving these principles -
She may unite in defeating this or that particular
administration, but her cOadjutofs, like her anita
gonisis, will swell the triumph OF those measures
which duty compels her 10 deprecste There is
but one means OF adjustment, which can induce
Virginia TO iUrl the banner of opposition to COOP
rate with the associated members of the confede-
Tscy, and yet be consistent with herself. When
the exercise OF these doubtful pswers shall be war
ranted by the express grant of the people their
coDsiitutionality must be admitted, aid their expe-
diency alone remain question for consideration.
Until this can be effected, Virginia has only to
choose between a course of passive Submission,
end one OF active energetic opposition 10 the exer-
else OF these powers, without regard TO the hands
by which they may be employed.
II is our faul, in Virginia, that we look too
little al home. While we csvil, condemn and
speculate with all the pracised hardwood of a Sc
we're logic--our more eDterprisng neighbors are
respng the golden hsrves, OF their own industry;
we dive after shadows, they are content to hold
h. .i,ofo We sI.cI IL.