The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1828-02-04
PRosPEcTUs
For publishing a hew paper IN g.e totsn Of
IullchhAtp. b be caLlfd

- many Tor Tue fstaollehhtht oil another
Paper IN this town. the subscribers have de-
termined to make the experiment OF its prac-
tieabilily. In presenting ourselves in the
character of Editors, we ahty a long estnb-
lished custom, aud, we presume, the require
Ia ent OF the public in submitting very sac-
cinctlv something explanatory OF our course
and political opInians II : Indispensable
that he whose office will Gull upon hin to
make frequent commentary H9oH stale trans
actions should not only hive csrrcrt thpnrei-
zeal aud practical views OF government, well
settled and dehued in his own Judgment,
but thatthPy be presented with the utmost can.
dsnr aud perspicullv tu that OF the comnnui-
", to which he doubtless owes the highest
responsibility. II is proper 10 have yprt of
formulary political teia adopted up6Nlhe
best reflection beesiiss Z turnshe5 the daiu
md the rule by which ~ ohliquilies ofshe
wavering may be de eeted Tue detection of
the aposlate known, aud the stability of The
consistent made manifest. The moral farce
of n journal indeed depends upon several
particulars in this country especially upon
its sledfasr adherence 10 the aSloms of repnb
lican government, declared in its Constilni.
on 10 its orthodox Interpretation OF that in
strutncni aud constant concord nrttaiiS
lnatnndis betwist past and present opinions
aud lastly upon its moderation, temperance
and decorum.
Il is anticipated that above all, we are re-
quired 10 be very explicit III our view oil the
conflicting, and Incompatible modes adopted
in the exposition OF our Federal Constitution.
We shall make something more than n Tor
nal allegation of preference for the restrict.
ed aud literal Interpretation OF the coustitn'
ton, rather than that which would draw in
lis latitude powers not Only incidental, but
lranscendng thoso specific ones from Which
the former had been derived.
This paper will he conducted with a strict
regard 10 republican principles. These prin-
ciples are avowcd by almost all, il not by
every public Pressin the United States. Yet
we see many which advocate aud support
measures, men, doctrines aud opinions, which
are hostile, in our judgments, TO all free 90
vernmcnt, and especially so 10 the repuDll.
caninsituiions ofonrOwn country Ioassume
the gui5e of Repubiicanism aud thence TO al
tack its doctrines aud endeayor To sap is
foundation, i, " an homage which vice pays
20 virtue for hypucrtioal aud wicked purpo-
SEES.
To avoid all confusion Of idensand mseon-
ception in relation 10 ourselves, We think 1t
proper TO state that we mean by republican
| principles, those which are applicable 10 the
constitution of the United States, and 90 the
/
which were advocated il the memorable pr
Rod of 1898 9, as eouira-d distinguished from
| the Federal doctrines ol the same period -
those by which the immortal Jefferson was
elevated 10 the Chief Magistracy oil the Uni.
| on and according IN which he administered
/ the government.
The principles thus avoWed, will lead rs
! 10 regard g the powers of the Federal GOV
| ernment, as resulting from the compact made
! bv the several States, as parties thereto
aud as limited by Tie plain sense and inten-
ton oil the Instrument composing that com
! nact'-whieh is the Constitution OF the Uni
ted States
AT arcrioa Of the History Of The United
! States, now past the General Assembly OF
! Virginia had occasion 10 "eypress its deep
regret that spirit has, in suudry instances,
been manifested by the Federal Government
10 enlarge its powers by forced constructions
of the constitutional charter which defines
them: and that indications have appeared OF
design to expound certain general phrases,
50 as 10 destroy the meaning and effect ot The
particular enumeration, which necessarily
explains aud limits the general phrases and
50 as 10 consolidate the States by degrees III
10 Que sovereignty, the obvious tendency and
inevitable result of which would be 10 trans
form the present Republican System oil the
United States, into an absolute, or al least a
mixed monarchy However Just and strong
The reasons We're at that time which excited
! the regret and spprehensions then expressed
1t is now manifest by multiplied evidences
that spirit does exist, not only IN the 60
Vernmenl, but IN many Of the pari'zans aud
adhrrents Of the present administration, 50
10 conStrue snndry enumerated powers, aud
so to expound certain general phrases as
J - 4 81 H. -y.4ra
ment, beyond the specific limitations con
tanned in the con tintion the necessary
tendency and iney itable result of which must
be to transform the Original Republican Sys,
TEN OF Government, provided aud intended
10 he established by the Constitution, into
some other system of Government, whose
powers. derived by construction, and finding
no limitation in the constitution, Will be de-
pendent solely on the will of the Government
whereby the compact between the. States
will he destroyed, and the rights and sove-
reigmty OF the several States totally annhila-
ted.
This result so shocking to humanity, and
destsnc i've to the cause of free government
throughout the world. will not, and cannot
occur suddenly IN the United States, by an
usurpation of oil power 10y the Government
oyer the people and the several States. II Shy
sllen q slow degrees that atree people cenlose
their liberty Except by superior foreign
force } by measure after measure cautiously
advanced under plausible pretenccs of better.
ing the condition of the people, while Al the
same time The power of the government is
accommodating over thea, by measures art
fully oontrrYed from time 70 time to favor
one portion of the people, without direct vi,
olence to the ether, 50 as TO create adherents
and supporters among the people Of tue pow
81 assumed One precedent becomes auIho-
city for another, Ill finally, by insensible ad-
vances, the original free institutions OF gov
eminent, which the people bad established
are changed and done away, and those who
govern become invested with new and abso-
lutte authority.
This is the tendency of all Governments;
those who are invested With United power,
lfnd IT convenient TO possess more--it is as
snmed under pretense for the public good