Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-02-25

latin, Mr. Madison and Mr.. Giles took the lead IN
the discussion in favor OF the republican doctrine;
that the Constitution Of the u States, like all other
instruments. should be so construed as TO give 10
all and each of its provisions complete efficacy,
so as TO give to all and each Of the. departments
which it created their appropriate powersA That
any treaty. which embraced commercial reSuia-
ton, or required an appropriation oil money ne
cessarly ,came under the revision of the House OF
Representatives, quoad these subjects; and that
they had as full discretion to act or not, according
to the dictates OF their be-t judgment upon them,
as upon any others, embraced by their powers
That when a treaty did not embrace subjects COM
ing within their appropriate sphere, IT ra'ihei by
the President and Senate, it was, ipso iacto, the
supreme law of the land; but to hold tina, 1t was
so, when it embraced subjects within their peculiar
and appropriate powers, as afco-ordnate branch
of Congress without their full and free co-opera-
ton; that they had no discretion, but were bound
to carry into effect the compacts made by the
President and Senate, was in truth, 10 give to
the Executive aud Senate the power TO lay taxes,
appropriate money, and regulate commerce; Tor 1t
was asked, what treaty of importance could be
made which did not call for some commercial reg
uation. or some appropriation of money; and how
how could money be appropriated without hrst
being raised. Moreover, il was SAID, that the
language of the last clause quoted OF the Consitu-
ton was pecuar-it said treaty =" made u'ader
the authority ofthe United States, was the SUI
preme law of the land;' not treaty made by the
President and Senate, which would have been the
most natural phraseology; provided 1t had been
intended by the convention, that the IL. OF x.
should have no discretion upon such subjects. Upon
the occasion alluded to- Jays Treaty, the question
was not settled. The votes nearly divided;
but the appropria tions were made, from the un-
bounded popularity of the then President. as the
old republicans always said. The parties certainly
remained nhexibe in their opinions. When the
Louisiana Treaty was ratified The whole subject was
laid before the Ii. Of r.. and had their full and Tree
cooperation and solicitude to carry 1t into effect
The large appropriations called for, were opposed
by the whole federal phalanx upon the ground oil
the impolicy and unconstitutionality OF the Treaty
but the distinguished leader of the then republic
| can party carried them through by decisive majo-
| rites These, indeed, were the halcyon days OF
this republic. On the ratification of the Treaty
oil Client the subject again came into discussion,
and was debated with great ability by your late
Representative, and several others, on the old
republican ground opposed by the celebrated Mr..
VIM. Pinclney, who on that occasion took up the
federal doctrine The question went off by side
| wind in other words, was given the go-by. This
we believe to be brief history OF the discrepancy
OF opinion this important subject and we sin
cerely lament that has not been long ago settled
by precedent, as think i, is by reason and fair
construction. But gentlemen may ask, where
fore all this detail? We answer first, 10 show the
Importance of the principles invoiv ed 2diy, 10
evince the early and continued opinions OF Mr..
Giles upon this subject. And now may we ask.
how long you think il will be, before these same
federal doctrines will be urgedbv heultrasn pow er
Has not our erudte and positive President pro-
claimed to The world, that Z" Ministers tciHbe COM
mssioned to Panama? calculating no doubt, that
his Senate ,ciU be obedient to his royal mandate.
We are informed, how ever, that this mission still
g hangs and hesitates'' lii that iilusIrious body.
Perhaps the honorable members may feel some
what palsied by the will of their constituents -
Yet ONE of the good and faithful commons seem
tired OF waiting. Let us nevertheless suppose, that
the project succeeds--that the Senate will be as
supple as his Excellency boldly anticipated: Do
not you expect that great and important nesotia-
tons will take place at this Holy Alliance OF Re
publics?
Are Republics, Ito say nothing of those Of ancient
story,) entirely exempt from ambition, and thirst
Tor Territorial asrandi>emeni? Let the history of the
Seminole war and the Florida negotiation answer
the question: What will become of Cuba (,he
key TO the Gulph Trade) and which many of our
statesmen have long ago animated wish TO pos
.ess! Will the South American States, at this
Congress of Republics, stipulate 10 take il, and
our government agree 10 make demonstration,
as military men say and as we did, in the case
OF Florida! lntimidae, poor, feeble, and dis
iracted Spain, and then like Nelson at Copenha-
gen, negotiate buy the Island, None of these
things may happen, but all thinking men know
that something will be done something brilliant
too something that will cast an eclat around the
administration. as they think, and enable them 10
" return light for Light across the Atlantic.
Nhatat to Ho la
we fear great deal of it. The commons v i'll be
called on TO appropriate; and we wished to have had
Mr. Giles in place that he might not only have
enforced with his greatest abilities, If necessary the
old republican doctrine which we have fecbly at
tempted 10 set FORTH but that if any ulachiav elan
policy should be pun sued in this negotiation. or
force resorted 10, in preference 10 right, that he
should have been there TO expose the bideousness
OF such conduct, in all its aspects, resting The
greatness OF tins nation, on its moral potcer
founded its liberty, happiness, Justice and
magnannity, so beautifully illustrated by our dis
Irguisned Senator, in his speech on the Piracy
Bill. 1t was from this moral power that we had
fondly hoped this nation would shed rays of genial
influence upon the people of the world; little
dreaming, (poor ignorant creatures as we areA tina,
there was much more ingenious and splendid
mode OF diffusing light the Atlantic and the
Andes, from houses in the sky.
NeWlii present, OeniIemen, one more conside-
ration 10 your reflection.
In his circular letter the freehoders of the dis
trict published in the Enquirer, on the both Dec
last, our representative says, " deny the consii-
tu'ional power OF Congress TO execute the system,
of roads and canals within the States dcprecate
any amendment TO the constitution which shall inn
part them such power, without so limiting it,
as to distribute the appropriations according to
the oPPortiOnment Of representation 10 be an
Piled and disburSedby the state authorities That
Is, we presume, that he did not deprecate an a.
mendment TO the constitution, SO limited; in 9th
or words that he would yote for an amend,r.,, ..