Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-02-09

Cee'sloi although greatly charging the sphere au
extent OF the specific powers, by augmeniing tn
means oil carrying them into effect, still makes
necessary that the end sought 10 be attaine,
should be g Legitimate" one within the scop,
I OF the constituuon'-one entrusted 10 the Gov.
ernnent" By the Constitution. IL has been as
sumed too, ia de iiance OF that plain and obyiou,
principle of reason. common reason every man,
( reason, which at once adopts the belief that il
never could have been the intention Of the people
oil these United States, who made the Constitution
i mat Congress should have power to apPropri-
! ale their money their property TO purposes to-
tally disconnected with the objects for which the
government was created, and totally unconnec ed
/ WIN the common defence and general welfare as
indicated and limited by the enumerated powers.
WIN great deterence, not for the Society, bat
! Tor Inc members, will barely suggest that il
would have reflected no discredt on its character
sor discretion and wisdom ct least, If points now
deemed so essential, had been settled before the
society was formed, or at least before any mea-
TureS were taken on subject so vitality important.
from the most ordinary men, engaged in an en-
/ tefpFise IN which their interests their properly.
"'en safety wore alone concerned, such 4 course
might have been most confidently anticipated
Il am aware o; the riSk attending the occupation
oil Tue ground, on which | have presumed TO place
! myself IT Mr.. Jeiierson felt with ave. thc
weight OF opinion, TO which he thought himself to
ne opposed, IN relation to a Society but few DAYS
ou' what must be my feelings in raj sing my voice
against Society high and powerful tnourh TO
send agents abroad-to found colony on the O.
ther side OF the Atlantic-tO address the Govern
Inents OF foreign nations in flrhcrance OF their
views, and what is still more striking and s-aw-
iuI, The influence OF whose members officiating
ih our own government, can be traced in many of
its movements
Happy, ii not denounced as an oAcmv TO chart
~; to humanity, and 10 religion, shall encounter
only the reproach OF temerity and ignorance!
This apprehension, think, would probably have
deterredme from the prosecution of design, some
years past entertained and expressed, of address
ing the public on the subject of this Society; but
seeing now, from the writings of the members
ana the proceedings of the Society, that its exis
ehce ats prosperous existence at least, cannot be
sustained without violation of the Constitution
even according 10 the decision of the Supreme
! Court-and finding that another appeal has been
mace by It TO the Legislature Of Virginia, feel
! that should do wrong, and from an unworthy
motive, if were to refrain from submittins 10 the
Pubhc, my ideas, humble and erroneous as thew
may be- on the great question as TO the limited OF.
unlimited power OF Congress, in the appropriation
/ oi public money question about which the pub-
| TIC mind Is not made up-and correct decision of
! winch, Is rendered still difficult, by the We
| ry numerous and respectable body of eminent
men, who, as members of the Society, are enlisted
on the wrong side, by feelings which they cher
/ ism, and OF which they boast.
] am not one of those, if any such there be. who
idollze Mr.. Jefferson. do not consider his opin-
| ion as authority. 1t would be folly TO use no
harsher word, TO claim authority for the opinions
va mn 'ai Ildl out lile ucIOerute opinion OF sue b
! man as Mr.. Jefferson, pure in patriotism clear
ia intellect, and enlightened by long experience.
Is entitled TO the most serious and respectful con-
sideration. This is claimed, and nothing more as
| due TO Mr. j. There is one consideration which
gives in the present instance, more than ordinary
force to the claim thus limited. If in the pur-
SUIT OF truth, Mr.. Jefferson's mind was ever af-
iected by any bias, that bias was in favor of the
humane, the liberal, the popular side of the qnes-
ton. 1t is no disparagement TO Mr. J. to saw This
l q no Ipft
were OF the most friendly character In his inaug-
| raj Speech IN 1905, he says, 90 humanity enioins
US to teach them agriculture and the domestic
arts, 10 encourage them to that industry which a.
| zone can enable them TO maintain their place in
existence, and to prepare them in time for that
state OF society, which to bodily comforts, adds
/ the Improvement of mind and morals" His o.
pinicns and his sympathies no doubt remained UNI
changed: but he would not consent TO become
| even noninaly member of q society--a self-cre-
ated society, which would take the place of the
government without mourning its responsibility
lie therefore, deliberately, and conscientiouslv in
spite oil these opinions and symPathies, but with a
sentiment OF awe, for the high and distinguished
persons TO whom lac feared he was opposed ex-
pressed, happily for the country expressed his
dlsapprobaton of the society. How much and
how may OF his remarks apply to the Colonization
Society, every man who reads can determine
NOTES.
See Col Benton's speech Nat. IsteIlig
every Of ;ast particularly to those who NAV dis,
cover IN themselves disp jsition favor Missionary
See Presi4enp Message 30h March, ts24 and the report
| oil Tie present Secretary of War; ia Feb 1896.
g. Of Mr. Jeesons letter Of The 2i.t Jan 1871 I;
lhis letter, private aud preceded some wears N
formation oi the Colonization Society In This letter Mr. j
ay. indeed nothing be wished than that the u
States would themselves undertake make estsh
meni the Of Africa" Now, whether MI j. oone.;v,
that Congre'' had power, under the Con,uton as il then
$1,000 ana now sand 70 mske such establishment,
appropriate money Tor the purpose their powers should
De enlarged by constitutional amendment having that object
~, sve' n1 appeal 10 the hr suppostion be adopted
tue opinion which implies in direct collisions with that uni
esy sseoed TO HIN, on the subject aPproprng pub
nc money u the ater,t affords aid the friends Of the
Coloniz ton Society But MI, whatever may he hi.
ng no authority any be authority for any 20
hea opinion IL will be the conclusion this eue
that ne is quoted authority IN relation 10 the .E,ct ~
ms letter TO DR. Morse -Iu truth, is extremely probable that
MT j. did not think Of the Constitution az the time or II h.
did, that his wish, the Internal Improveuen.
embraced an amendment Of the Constitution this a.
we'll az the subject Itself
q See Benton's Speech before referred TO- See also Me-.
eates speech (Sssson Of 1891 az, National In eii-
geoeer Of May II, 1929 aud the various resolution,
~ SSpngrtn rom l'Ib Il" the pIessn, time After all
me Efforts that have been made by Ease England a,
well By the u S. what their condition. 4 cSnruy !,
opinion With the Society ia Ohio (Na Int May 26, 1919
the Indians are TO be civilized, cannot oivze One
nation cannot oiyiize another. The attempt s rules,
8. Thi Parasfsph has reference he stats Of thing,
"hen the late georgia eontroversy was at its height
8. For this fact, which thu wonderful is not QUITE =, rp
defl ashs open and bOa,tfu svows Of The speech
distinguished citizen at the meeting cf tbs Colonizson So
oiety in Warrington in Jan. 1897 rhe most important me
uis i ha' oeen projected since the establishment u
Constitutions set on foot snj carried without the
consultation with thuse, Whose dearest not
only public peace but domestic tranquility essentially and
sfnsnenty inyoyedi! But, seems The Society az ny
responsible Tor The collateral consequences" which these
proceedings may Product III 1--we 10 ou-live1 The a.
complainant Of two things have in view I will IN
dstake 10 demonstrae the alacy well the enorny Of
Thu position. -
T. It's remarkable that FIVE sefor sateJ soeietie, in the
s. have been ViiCed aud Condemned by thfec Of our
i (;yn Ws.biuy,o, b.e,,, D.. .-.. p-,..r.., g.,