American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1827-04-27
f5 william s. Archer-Tlie firm defender Of the Con-
stnution--thc chivalrous Virginian.


his o5rung very imperfect but unelgned expression
Of acknowledgement for thehonor conferred on him oy me
sentiment announced. He could have no higher pre, a
political mar than that Of being associated to the eharao
Ter which had been the distinction Of his native state 10
sustain, OF being the Offender Of the Constitution 10 mer
participation Of this character. had been the endeavor O
his past it would be of his future political me- were an,
future political life accorded him. The tendency o.
Government alteration from the principles OF It's ,nsttu
tions appeared little short of irresistible Our Genera
Government had been exempt from this destiny On
la former OCCASION the efforts which Virginia had contrlhu
ted to reclaim from this tendency, had been crowned
with signal crisis had recur ed, IN winch me
principles Of msconsructon which had then been over
under the old FORMS were once more 10 DC
encountered The Sentinel State had again lighted on its
hill OF guard the Beacunfe OF the CONSTITUTIONS and DEC
Nv was graed in being enabled 10 express the beie
that the clansmen had reached or were rushing 20 the
gathe, pg, in force which would be overwhelming
When the victory had been attaned-the Jetfersonlan
policy restoredte administration OF the Government re
adjusted its true principles our endeavor must oe 10
that adjustment, longer continuance nan mac
TENDED il after the victory Of 1900 We should be able
to do by due attention to onr two paramount pric-
pleshe Constituent and Fedeaive actions OF eur system
The complete efficacy of these, would b. ita'ioe III r
claiming, if il did no, prevent, all eiration
As respected the personal compliment TO himself, q
which he renewed the unaffected expression ct his thank
whoever had been called represent, as he had beer
several years. part of The character # Virginia, ought t
be chvalrons To his friend (Mr K who SAT near hun
such atribn,ion of character due For himself r
was only conscious of the ambition Of deserving IT, II
would conclude with offering sentiment which n'oh go
highest principle:
Republican dnctrine--It rejects all public agents. wi
refuse be "pased by the will Of their constituents
1o George M'DnfTe-The able Representative from
South Catnlna no for taking the election OF our Chief
Magistrate oat Of the hands Of Congress
MIR. M'DrPFfE rose and SAID:
In rendering you, gentlemen, my sincere and heart
felt Acknowledgements for this unexpected, and must be
ermed TO add unmerited mark of your hospitality and
kindness, but express my unaffected regret thai
am not sustained by the consciousness OF being more
worthy Of the fiat ering distinction.
Though disqualified by the fatigue and exhaustion con-
sequent upon having spent seepless night IN stage
coaca participate, with becoming spirit in the festiy
10 which have been suddenly summoned or to re-
spond adequate to the sentiment just express
sed must, nevertheless presume so tar upon your ndu
renee - offer vary few remarks upon the great po
cal question With which you have been pleased associate
nv name
The amendment Of the Constitution, VIII ich yon have
alluded, and effect which, have ardeny devoted
my humble exertions, s in my opinion, the first great step
general reform in the organization Of our political sys
tem-a reform indispensable 10 the purity and durability
Of this Republic And cannot but express my grahca
;ion that the o political events has been such
throw me, N the great political struggle now pending, on
he same s'de with State, whose political chvaiy ard
sBeresed devotion TO republican principles have always
my respect and admiraon though have nor
1een able 10 subscribe to # her political doctrines
the contest which preceded the great political reyolu
ION which brought Mr.. jefferson into power and in bc
Virginia acted prominent and honorable part, il
Toes MT appear TO thai the greatleaiers Of the Repub
lean party did not sufficiently distinguish between the
bo1oer and the parcH9ee of the General Government
They that according he principles aid practices Of
hose who then Welded the power of that Government
the public liberty wa9 III imminent jeopardy, and hey
very naturally supposed that the eiecusl mode Of
ohviang the impending danger, lint those pow
trs in the exercise If wic the abuse committed
Nov, according the conception upon which have al
isys acted. public liberty is much enda gered by
he quantity Of pow vested in the General Government
as by The made in which that power acquired aud The
principles upon which The Government an s,ered r.
am not greatly mistaken all the great powers for the de-
cnce OF the country, necessary 20 liberties IS
hey are 70 our Independence and safety. Without HEM
he government would sink under its debility vet,
am not % be understood discerning from the sentiment
enha'icalv expressed few mna,es ago. which assigns
h. dagger Of Balns 10 the ambitious Cesar, Who sha
'yereap the sacred barrier Of the Constitution as
mNch opposed as any man. to the assumption Of powers
not deducibe from tie grants Of the Cons tuition hy far
principles of interpretations merely because those powers
may be supposed to be beneficial Such adocirine would
dtnish every nsurper with plea of his usurpacn Bot
nevcrtht less believe that in the actual operation of gu
ystem will be folnd that the great security OF public
9erY consists ~ such an orgazati1 of the Gnvern
~ VIII ensure the prevalence OF popular opinion II The
elecNon OF political agens, and The effective pm s,alit,
81 'hese agents 70 the People. Government, ding 10
We true Republican conception is nothing more ii ar the
adm nlstraun of The pnhlc iii IF that will is no, sniff
cehtA enlightened TO Sc ec w.t. and to control cficert
" hose who a'minse, the Government, the Repu ean
scheme must be given mp delnson 1t ,npos
sDe 'or human @ledom 70 devise any system by shch the
caus tendencies Of these who weld the powers Of g.
eminent can b. controlled, that does o * the PEG
pie themselves. as its basis believe very gete.
rai opnop amongs the patriots of the first age of r.
nbhc hat the power OF Government consist in il.
aronage and could only main ain Itself by meas Of tina,
patronage. II this true. the fact would be melan.
choy one for the result would be, tina all Governments
must speedily end IN corruption. all Governments here
totore have ended.
bui believe II reserved for the present generation
piohhg BY experience which was denied he pas-o
fnsh practical demonstration Of the fact that the es.
sen,ai energy OF Government derived solely from the
oeai and enlightened confidence Of the People, and that
patronage SO ar from being necessary 10 the maintenance
o. That energy is positive evil the Government itse
confidently hsheye that, if possible deprive
me government nf all patronage whatever without DESTROY,
ls necessary powers, such arrangement woud be
desirable Under these Impressions have acted with
To such nft