Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-12-27
RICHMOND, DEC. az.
MIR. MADISON'S LETTER

The first of Mr.. Madison's letters which we
now lay before our readers, is entitled to the full
est consideration As has been said, in relation to
another distinguished man, his words will carry
weight with them; for, bodies which fall from so
great height, must make deep impression
But with all the Difference, which we feel for his
virtues, and talents and services, we confess we
are not satisfied with his opinions the Tariff, or
with his reasons. We still doubt very much, in
the first place, whether the power in question ev-
| er was given-The proceedings in the General
Convention do not seem TO bear out MIR. Ms con-
| cusions.-In the Federalisi," Mr. Hamilton
holds this language:--" The encouragement of
agriculture and manufactures is an appendage
OF the domestic police Of the states Exorbitant
duties on Imported articles tend to render other
| classes OF the community tributary, in an impro.
per degree, to the manufacturing classes. They
would be attended with inequality 6streen the
| manufacturing and non manufacturing states"
III, however, such power has been given, we
have no doubt, an the second place, after the very
| gross abuses which have seen carried into
| execution, that such a power ought either to be
denied, or modified, and subjected to proper re-
s,raints.-As Mr.. Pendleton declares emphati.
| caily, in his memorable paper " The Danger not
Ouer, "Union is certainly the basis OF our polit-
cal prosperity, and this can only be preserved by
| conining, with precision, the federal government
TO the exercise OF powers clearly required by the
general interest, or respecting foreign nations, and
the slate governments 10 objects Of local nature;
because the states exhibit such varieties Of char
acter and interests, that a consolidated general
government would be in perpetual conflict with
state interests, from its want OF local knowledge or
from prevalence OF local prejudice or interest so
as certainly to produce civil war and dsunion. II
then the distinct provinces of the general and
state governments are not clearly defined; If the
former may assail the latter by penalties, and by
absorbing all subjects of taxation-if system lead
Ing TO consolidation, may be formed and pursued,
| and it, instead Of lcdsing it to the respective
states TO encourage their agriculture or nlonufdc-
lures, as their local interests may dictate, the
general government may by bountes or protecting
duties, tar the one to promote the other; then the
Constitution has not sufficiently provided for the
continuance o. the union, by securing the rights
OF the state governments and local inferests.'
In truth, one OF the great sins of our General
Government Is Z" too much Legislation" The
true rule is " Liberty to the People, and re-
sh'lcfion to the Government" Leave the people
to themselves, as much possible, to Judge of
their own interests and select their own pursuits.
But, the vice of these times is, that the U S. must
regulate the labor and capital of the country"
They must pass Tariff laws, to tell us what art-
Giles we are TO produce, when we are better &C
qualnted with our own interests than our agents
can bc.-They are also TO have anti auction laws
(even at some risk OF violating the Constitution to
! tell the people whether they are 10 buy their
goods OF this or that class Of monied capitalists
We have no taste for this sort OF legislation II
is the interest of the people at large to buy as cheap
and sell as dear as they can-and not TO have set
oil guardians continually to dictate 10 them,-what
they are TO make, and how they are to purchase.
IL is this species Of legislation which exposes us TO
| the biting reproaches Of the Edinburg Reviewers.
The Warehousng System is also to be the rage
ready too scarce, much more valuable; and TO Civ
the large monied capitalists an unjust and unne-
ceSsary advantage Ill the operations of commerce.
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