Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-03-14

then, MIR. Archer SAID, oy modes oil construc-
ton like these, that the General Government
would come into possession OF all, and much more
than ALL the subssting power of the State Govern
men,s, If the authority of these Governments
should be broken down. If that event were to
occur, this effect would be inevitable. He only |
wished the effect might wait for that period which,
if the signs of the times TO be regarded would
itself be not very remote
Then, did the subduc,ion OF the power in ques-
tion from the States, tend TO consolidation, in the
sense in which the gentleman from South Carolina
had himself defined 1t, as importing cOncen'fa-
ton of powers IN this Government: Here were
two Governments set III operation over the same
territory and People, with view (whether wise
or not, not now materially 10 their aHording
| a system OF counterpose and check upon each
other. If you deducted from the power OF the one,
| no matter in what manner the deduction was dis
posed OF, did not the deduction enure to the aug
mentation of the power of the other? Ii the weight
were taken from one scale only, without en-
| croachment on the other, did not the equipose
of the beam, nevertheless, sustain subverson! We
had the balance in both of our systems of ivy po-
pular branches of Legislature, to whose conJoin'
operation the discharge of the Office assigned
III power were deducted from one OF these juris-
dicions, no matter how bestowed, would the equi-
poise of the Jurisdictions remain the same In
its adjustment, or the control which this equpose
was intended 10 subserve undisturbed in its elhci-
ency? II all power were vestedin single branch
of the Legislature, would the form which the Go
vernment would then assume, be consolidated, and
would the result OF it lie despoiism? What, then,
was this same operation related 10 two Govern
meats intended TO subserve the same design iden-
ticaily two branches of Legislature the same
Government. Would the annihilaton of The State
authorities, what tantamount, the gradual
dLution and reduction of these authorities TO in
significance, amount, in its effects 10 consolidation:
| at IL tn he chs Of in
yernmen? The want of just comprehension on
the part of his friend from South Carolina, in rela
ton 10 this branch ofthe discussion ,-Ivas asound
| ing, and only to be explained by the influence of
prepossession in his mind He had spoken, of the
effect of the system he recommended, 10 produce
a consolidation of the People: the very
| son why it ought not to be adopted; and had CT
| ted the authority of Gen. Washington giving
countenance 10 his doctrines. The authority he
had cited concluded to the exact reverse and sub
version of his position In all our deliberations
said this venerated authority referring to the pro
! ceedings of the Assembly by which the Consitu-
ton was produced - on his subject, we kept
Oily in view that which appears to Us the
greatest interest of every true American, the
sotidati0n of our Union; in which is involved
our prosperity, felicity, safety perhaps our natl
| onal existence" This was, indeed, high authority,
| deserving TO be held in perpetual memory, well
| as reverence, and which ought to be inscribed in
the front Of every Constitutional delGeraton in this
Government. What did this authority assert 10
be the greater interest OF every true American,
which the initiative organ of the Government had
held perpeluay in view, as Involving " prospe-
rity, felicity, safety, perhaps national existence
The object ought 10 be buried in every heart, it
first in The heart Of him who ' first in The
hearts of his counirymen'' he was, aud deserved
to be in the admiration of the World This frs
of interests, to which all deliberations was be
emf yhatS he n m
| In every corner, and find response in every bo-
som. 90 1t tcas the consolidation -four UniOn''
And what was imported by the consolidation Of our
Union! Not, assuredly, consolidation into unity.
Union did not imply unity. 1t implied exactly I.
reverse. The unity of the States cir submer-
gence. Precisely that condition in which their
Union became extinct.-Union, like otke living
things, had its condition ofdeath and this unity
The gentleman from South Carolina wished to
consolidate the People. The District system he
recommended, did tend to that effect, but
to their Distraction. On his own principles he
ought to reject this District aud adopt the General
Ticket system: for the great principle on which
he had so strongly insisted, was just it was
valuable that the most efficient form should be
given to the action of the opinion Of the commu-
nifty, and the General Ticket mode of election is
this form
If then, Mr.. Archer was asked for the danger
nc apprehend'd TO Stale jurisdiction and safety,
the answer was obvious explicit. These |
great interests had wo-iold form OF safeguard |
Phe first that which resulted from the definite
limit OF the amount of the general power inscribed
in the letter, it would have been implied IN the |
outline, by fair iDiendnent from the design of the
Constitution. To the views which sugees, ed doubt
OF the validity OF Ills safeguard derived not Fl ION
c0Djecturai speculation but the Instructive tes,i-
mony of events he had already had occasion to |
advert. Then here danger TO State Rights
in the debili,aiion of this guard: Tor he admitted
that it had moi yet been entirely subveried What |
was The remaining form, OF State safeguard? The
power OF action the administration OF the
General Government, through control on s
elections. This safeguard, the only FORM as had
been shewn, which afforded real protective eff
cheney, 1t was the object, he had ALMOST said n
reference to its tendency the frantic object OF the
proposition OF amendment he resisting to de-
moiish. Then here was The danger 10 State rights
not only from the possible success OF the PROPOSE
ton, but from the evidence Gan ominous evidence
it was) which the exhibition and entertainment of
the proposition afforded; of the condition OF the
public mind In relation to the safeguards of the
States and the Constitution. The Ge!ences, indeed,
remained; the ramparts uncIumbling and
unmouldered but the ranks which were TO man these
deiences, the artillery of public sentiment, which
could alone render these ramparls effective where
were they? What was 10 be the fate of this pro-
position? Men doubted. Where were the presses,
the organs OF public feeling in which it had been
denounced? Lethargy was not the incident of the
commencing, but OF an advanced stage of the pro-
gress OF disease. The termination of this disease
il was but too probable would be death the death
OF Federation. "And in that sleep Of deaih,'' where
we had thrown off not this mortal, but Federstive
coil, " what dreams may come must give US pause'
Clouds and darkness hang every condition Of |
future destiny But that the destiny In the present
ftafo hap t.ffs