The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1828-01-07
PRospEc rus
For publishing a aeu Paptr IN he torn Of
LgHchbarg. 10 be caiiea


termned TO make the experiment of IFS prac-
ticabilny. In presenting ourselves in the
character ui Editors, we obey a long estab-
/ lshsd custom, aud, we presume, the REQUIRE
ment ot the public in submitting very SUI
cinctly something explanatory OF our course
aud political opinions. II is Indispensable
that he whose office will call upon him 10
make frequent commentary uDon State trans.
( actions, shoHld not only have correct thenret-
/ iCa aud practical views Of governments, welI
settled and defined in his own Judgment,
but thaithey be presented with the utmost cun-
dour aud 'perspicully Y 10 that OF tue eomnnni-
ty, 10 which he doubtless owes the highest
responsibility. II II proper 10 have a sorl of
Itormnlary of political faith, adopted upon the
best reflection because il furnishes the data
aud the rule by which tue obiiquiles Of the
verng may be de ecied, the detection of
tho apustate known, and the stability of the
consistent made manifest. The moral force
of a journal indeed depends upon several
particulars III this country especially upon
its sledlast adherence 10 the aYioms OF rtpnb
liean government, declared in its CONSTITUTE
on TO its orthodox Interpretation oi that in
strument. and constant concord mHtu'jS
m1t6ndis betwixt past and present opinions ,
aud lastly upon its moderation, temperance
and deGorum.
II is anticipated that above all, we are re-
quired 10 be very explicit IN our view OF the
conflicting, aud Incompatible modes adopted
in the exposition oil our Federal Constitution
W. sh all make something more than a Tor
NAL allegation Of preference for the restrict
ed aud literal Interpretation of the consitu.
ton, rather than that which would draw in
its latitude powers not Only incidental, but
tran eendng those specific ones from which
the former had been derived.
This paper will be conducted with a strict
regard to republican principles These prin-
ciples are avowed by almost ALL If not by
every public Pressin the United States. Yet
we see many which advocate. aud support
measures, men, Doctrines and opinions, which
are hostile, in our judgments, to all tree 90
vernment, and especially so TO the republic
caninstitutiuuS Of onroWnc country. Toassume
! the guise of Kepublcanism aud thence 10 at
tack its doctrines pnd endeavor 10 sap lis
foundation, i " an homage which vice pays
10 virtue" tor hypocritcal aud wicked purpo-
! ses.
To avoid all confusion of ideasand mi con.
! ception in relation to ourselves, We think il
! proper to state TINT we mean by republican
| principles, those which ale applicable 10 the
/ constitution at the United states, and to the
/ Institutions of the several otaes---thost
! which were advocated IN fhr memorable p
lmod ot l79S 9, as contra dlsunguished from
/ the Federal doctrines al the same period -
! those by which the immortal jefferson was
elevated TO the Chief Maeistracy OF The Uni
ON, aud according To which lie administered
the government.
1be principles thus aYowed, viii lead MS
/ to REGARD 81 the powers OF the Federal Gov
eminent, as resulting from the compact made
by the several states, rs parties thereto /;
aud As limited by the plain sense and lnten-
ton oil the instrument composing that com
pact which is the constitution OF the Uni
ted States
Al period Of the History Of the United
States, now past, the General Assembly Of
Virginia had occasion 10 "cxpress lis deep
regret that spirit has, in sundry instances,
been manifested by the Federal Government
to enlarge its powers by forced construction
of the constitutional charter which defines
! them and that indications nave appeared of
a design to expound cerain general phrases
| so AS TO destroy the meaning aud eitect OF The
particular enumeration, which necessarily
explains aud limits the general phrases aud
50 as 10 consolidate the States by degrees in
To one sovereignty, the obvious tendency and
inevitable result OF which woatd be totran5-
! form the present Republican system Of the
! United States, into M absolute, or al least 4
mixed monarchy" However lust and strong
IN. reasoos were nj that time whieb excited
the regret and approximations then expressed
| it Is now manifest by multiplied evidences
| that spirit does exist, not only in the 60
verun,rnt. bnt in msIg al tne Gart,zaus and
ad1errnts of beplpseaf administration. So
10 con,ty1,e ,nndry enumerated bowers, ann
az IA p,nouud cerfai. genarai f.braspg. a.
In enlarge the nowers Of the Federal Govern.
ment. beyond the specific LIMITATIONS con-
laine1 In the constitution The NECESSARY
tendency iu.vifeLl. ras,,,l f Which, 5nnsl
Ie 10 transform the original Republican sys
fem of Government. nrayided and intended
tn he established nv The Con-fiu,ion. INTO
some other system Of GGyernment who's
powers, derived by constructions, and frdinq
! no limitation in the constitution, will be de
peudeot solely on the wi'.ut the Government
whereby the compact between lne. States
will he DESTROYED, and tbn rights aud sove
/ reigniy OF the several ~talrs totally annihila