Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1827-01-12
Extracts from Gouernoy CintoRs Message to
the Legislature IF .NeW York

" AS ! component par. o. a great federal repui-
liz, II is our incumbent duy 20 support the gene
rsi government III all its that are wor-
thy of support, to cultivate amiiy and good will
with our conledeIai--, and TO dscountenance all
tendencies 10 overthrow by consolidation, or TO
destroy by dsme;noei ment ADM; able sys
TENS of government Peace with all the world
is with us primary duty aid Cardinal interest
Whatever may be the aspect whatever the iii i
rsciion Of foreign negotiations, there Is no
reason to apprelend any change in our pacific
relations, we imagine the possibility {
any diplomatic invoIu'Ioa, that may place Us in
"a position from which cannot advance with
out danger, nor recede without disgrace. Pow
erful in defensive and III adapted Tor offensive
calculated by position, destined by interest, and
enjoned by daty, to be pacific nation we must
sel!uiously atsain from enaug!iag iden flying
ourselves with the political srrans ements of other
nations. In relation TO domestic concerns
the path of duty is equally plain. We have only
20 pursue the same policy which has conducted
to opuenee, and established oar prosperity and re-
pntat GA On ilDperishlbi foundations.
- Anoiher attempt as futile a. the former has
been made by custom house collector in the
west 10 apply he revenue laws OF the United
States TO TIE navigation OF the Erie canal II
does not appear that this proceeding has received
any counteuance from higher authorities, nor can
it for a moment be believed that a claim so pre-
posisroas is assumptions and perniCous in
results, would any iimehe encouraged In any quar-
ter. AS the spirit of internal Improvement is ra.
pidly extending in every direction, il has become
question OF great moment, whether The general
government has power, with without the con-
sent OF The stale governments, 10 construct canals
and roads in their territories, and whether such
power, If not already vested, ought to be grant
ell. High authorities are to be found both sides
Of this question:; and after devo.ing 10 il all the
consideration to which, from lis importance, i, is
entitled, think it due to of duty and
spirit OF frsnkness to say, that my opinion is
eqray hostile TO It's pos session, or exercise by,
its Investment IN the national authorities. | can
perceive in it nothing less sihsn the har5inger
OF certain destruction TO the Stale governments
nor can we but that il at once breaks down
the barrier between a government for nation
al or exterior affairs, and local governments
Tor domestic or interior concerns. As well
might Congress take cognzlncs Of agriculture,
common schools, universities, penal codes, civil
rights, and the whole range CT local and internal
regulations, as of roads and canals AS, however,
the general government is possessed of the nation
II domains, and has exclusive authority over the
most productive sources oil reyeBUe, believe that
the power of distributing the necessary funds A.
mong he several states TOR objects of public i'm
provement ought % be incorporated in the consti
tuition, If not recognized, already existence"
% While on the subject OF amendments to our
gret that the enlightened and magnanimous views
of this state, in relation to the choice Of PTesi-
dent and Vice President, have not been realized -
Olr overture was 10 establish an uniform rule of
choosing electors by the people aud By districts.
In committing this power to the people, it vests it
~ its appropriate depository. the legitimate
sovereign OF tn" country, dimnI-bes the chances Of
corruption, and the dangers OF foreign influence;
destroys the evils Of pJe-exsiing bodies for the
elections OF the colleges and prevents combinations
al a few great states 10 create by their own power
the nstonal chief magistrate. The provision j.
perfectly safe, unless the people be yenaI and
pfo6igse, and then liberty is IN all cases without
pro eclion, aud Tree goYernunsnt without hope. IL
j. iais and equ', II u be Uniform, hat without in
scripu into tie constitution, u VIII subged Just
rspfesentalion Of power / am persuaded that IS
Tie iegsif IRE Of great state, sou feel above tie
lnilienCe q any combinations cODnec,e Ell with an
iayiiions and dangerous assumption o. exercise of
guwer. The gfeai states vii slvays-pUssess an
Influence correspondent with the aiOst extensive
calculations Oh moral and physical power, un-
.es they become tie dapts of exuaheous intrigue
he victims Of iniefnsl agitation; and they there
fore ought to sbjicsle ell pfetensions and avoid
all associations calculated to excite the jealousy
or TO diminish the jusi rights u tie minor members
of the coDfcderaoy."
The deti c-rsfct ~ iirs construction Of the