Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1827-08-02

The reader will admire, with US, the
practical good sense displayed in the
following article, taken from the sama
paper from which we copied, some days
ago, some sensible observations on the
subject of duties on imports Pat.
[Frsm he Tennessee H1oassean
a Question on "Siate Righis"-If
Cuba were to pass las il has been often
times feared that it would into the do
minion of Great Britain, and of which
we could not dispossess her-would the
advocates of State Rights" rather per-
NIT the cutting Of the United States into
two parts, by the position of that Island,
than find constitutional law to make q
canal through Florida, by which the
strong power holding Cuba, to divide
US, might be rendered nugatory and
void? What would the a~griculturist Of
the West and Southwest, and the manu-
featuring and commercial People Of
the middle and Eastern districts Of the
union, say in this case, and in the con-
tingency statedi And who would oppose
a proceeding so necessary to the "gene-
raj welfare" if not even of a preserva.
ton Of the confederacy, in keeping all
its parts linked together? We should
like to hear argument" Of this PROPOSE
ton, provided that no single essay shall
fill more than twenty Of the heavy col.
umns of the Richmond Enquirer.
1t IS unfair in argument, it is sale, to
suppose extreme cases, j e. such cases
as are never likely to occur. But when
the argument turns upon the validity Of
any assumed principle, il is legitimate
to suppose an extreme case to test the
principle: for, unless it will quadrats
with every possible case, it must be
false. But the case put in question
is not extreme. The probability of its
recurrence is not more remote than the
termination of the wal at the present
progressing between Spain and Portu-
gal, in which Great Britain participates.
For the latter power may demand Gu
ba as an indemnity for the expenses Of
the war, at the conclusion Of hostilitiss.
Should that island fall into the hands
of so commercial a power as Great Bril-
tain, in all circumstances the
Of The West and South would be iniur-
ed, and, in case of war with that Pow
err, il would be almost totally destroyed.
The affairs of men are at least SO far
influenced by interest, as to render 4
division of the Union no very INN atural
result oil a destruction of this trade
1t would be very strong to say, that an
instrument which was made for the pur-
pose of preserving union, should furnish
no e~xped;ent toremoye an obstacle to
union. The truth il, if the powers
given to the General Government by
the Constitution, are Inadequate 10 give
protection to the great and prevailing
interests of the several sections Of the
country under its controul,it is nonsenss
to defend so crazy a fabric. Because,
in that case, it is unsuitable to our situ-
alton, which all will allow is a good
cause to alter or abolish a government,
provided the alteration or adjustment
cost no more than the good to be gained
is worth.
II no legitimate estimation (for we
are against unlimited construction can
be made to authorize the General Co
vernment to make the Florida Canal in
the event anticipated by the question
in the name of uuien. let US amend the
Constitution and give the power
What we mean by Legitimate cGnstruc-
ton, is such as is authorized by the
rules which common sense dictates. to
ascertain the meaning Of written in
struments.