The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1828-01-31
pAoSpZCrUs
For publishing neg paptr ~ The ioipn of
LlutckbHrg, 10 BE- raiied

ticabiliiy. In presenting ourselves in the
character OF Editors, we obey long estab-
lishrd custom, aud, we presume, the require
meut of the public IN submitting very sue
cinctly something explanatory of our course
and political OpInions. II is Indispensable
that be whose Office will call upon hun to
make frequent commentary upon State trans.
actions should not only have correct theorel-
ical aud practical views OF government, well
settled aud defined in his own judgment,
but thatthey be presented with the utmost can
dour aud perspicniiy 10 that oil the commun-
", 20 which he doubtless owes the highest
responsibility. II is proper TO have a sort of
formulary OF political faith, adopted upon the
best reflection because it furnishes The data
and the rule by which the obliQuities of the
Wavcrng may be de ected, the detection Of
the apostate 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 stediast adherence 10 the aXIums OF repnb
lican government, declared in its CONSTITUTE
on to its orthodox Interpretation oil that in
stru,nent, and a constant concord mHtdtiS
nlaiGndis betwixt past and present opinions
aud lastly upon its moderation, temperance
aud deCornm.
II is anticipated that above all, we are re-
CURED to be very explicit in our view Of the
conflicting, aud Incompatible modes adopted
in the exposition Of our Federal Constitution.
w shall make something more than for
nal allegation ofpreierence for the restrict.
ed aud literal Interpretation Of the conslitu-
tion, rather than thai which would draw IN
It's latitude powers mol otl ~ Incidental, but
TRANSFORMING ihost specific ones from which
the former had been derived.
his paper will he CONNECTED with strict
regard to republican principles. These prin.
ciples are avowed by almost all, ii not by
every public Pressin the United States. Yet
we see many which adYocate and support
measures, men, doctrines aud opinions, which
are hostile, in our judgments, 10 all free go-
vernment, and especially SO to the repnblI-
CaninstitutionS of our own country. TonssGme
the guise OF KepublicanIsm and thence to at
tack its doctrines end endenvor 10 sap its
foundation, Is an homage which vice pays
TO virtue tor hypoCritcal and wicked parpo'
ses,
TO avoid all confusion of ideasand miscon-
ccption in relation To ourselves, We think II
prouer to state that we mean by republican
principles, those which are applicable 10 the
constitution of the United Smtes aud 10 the
Institutions of the several States--thosC
witch were advocated IN the memorable pc
Il
the Federal doctrines OF the same period -
those by which the immortal Jefferson was
leyated 10 the Chief Maaistracy OF The Uni
on, aud according to which he administered
The government,
The principles thus avoWed, will lead MS
10 regard = the powers of the Federal Gov
ernruent, a resulting from the compact made
by the several states, as parties thereto
aud as limited by the plain sense aud Inten-
ton of the instrument composing that com.
pact which IS Inc constitution OF the Uni
ted States.
AT period of the History OF the United
states, nov past, the General Assembly OF
Virginia bad occasion 10 express It's deep
regret that >prit has, in sundry instances,
been manifested by the Federal Government
to enlarge its powers by forced constructions
of the constitutional charter which defines
them: and that indications have appeared Of
"A design TO expound certain general phrases,
so as TO destroy the meaning and efec OF the
particular enumeration, which nece ssarIly
explains aud limits the general phrases aud
so as TO consolidate the States by degrees i'll
10 one sovereignty, the obvious tendency and
inevitable result of which would be 10 trans.
torn the present Republican System OF me
United States, into an absolute, or al least
mixed monarchy" However ust and strong
the reasons were at that time which excited
the regret and apprehensions then expressed
it is now manifest by multiplied evidences
that spirit does exist, not only III the GO
verumeut. but in many OF the partlHans aud
adhercuts of the pIrsent administration, 50
Ia Construe sundry enumerated powers and
50 TO eKponnd certain general phrases, MS
10 enlarge the powers Of the Federal Govern
mrut, beyond the specific limitations con
laned IN the constitution the necessary
tendency aud inevitable result OF which must
be to transform the original Republican Sys-
tenn Of Government, provided and intended
To he established by the Constitution, into
some other system of Government, whose
powers, derived by construction, and hnd'ng
no limitation in the constitution, will be de-
peudpnI solely on the will of the Government
whereby the compact between the. States
will be DESTROYED, and the rights and sove-
reigniy of the several States totally annlhIid-
ted.
This result go shocking to humanity, and
destructive to the cause Of free government
throughout the world. will not, and cannot
occur suddenly in the United States, by an
nsurpation OF ali power by the Gnyernmen
oyer the people and the several 1'aic>. II Is by
silent q slow degrees that afree people can lose
their liberty Except by superior foreign
force } by measure alter measure cautiously
advanced under plausible prete"ces al better
ing the condition of the people, while at the
same lime the power of the government IS
ACCOMMODATING over them by measures art
fully cuutrived from tlme 10 lime 10 favor
one portion of the people, without direct Vi
oIence TO the ether, SONS 10 create adherents
and supporters among the people II the pow
err assumed One precedent becoAes auth"-
rity for another, till finally, by insensibie ad-
yauces, the original tree institutions OF gov
eminent, which the people had established
are changed aud done AWAY, and those who
GOVERN become invested with new and sbso-
int authority.
Tbi, IS the tendency OF all Governments
those who are invested with limited power,
tird il convenient to possess more--t Is as
,rnel under pretensc for the public good
and for the interest Of the people. But this
tendency nav he retarded, it not altogether