The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1828-01-14
PROSPECTUS


tcrminrd TO make the experiment OF IT'S prac-
tleabiily. In presenting ourselves in the
character OF Editors, We obey Il long estRb-
lished custom, aud, we presume, the require.
ment OF the public in submitting very sue
cincty something explanatory Of our course
and political opinip rs. Ii is Indispensable
that he whose office Will call upon him TO
make frequent commentary u9on state trans
actions, sAonld moi only have correct theoret-
icai and practical views OF government, well
settled and defined in his own Judgment,
but thatthey be presented with thentmust can
dour and perspicuitv 10 that OF the commuui.
~, TO which he doubtless owes tie highest
responsibility. II is proper 10 have u sort ut
formnIary OF political faith, adopted upon the
best reflection because il furnishes tue data
and the rule by which the o0lqnitieS of the
verng may be de ected, The detection of
the apostate known, and the stability Of the
consistent made manles, The moral force
OF Il journal indeed depends upon several
particulars in this country especially upon
lis stediast adherence to the axioms OF rrpub
lican government, declared in IFS Consliluti.
on to us orthodox Interpretation oil TINT IN
strumcnt, aud a constant concord muidhs
ntUtBidis oetwixt past aud present opinions (;
aud lastly upon its moderator, temperance
and decornm.
quircd 10 he very explicit in onr view of The
conflicting, and incompatible modes adopted
in the exposition OF our Federal Constitution.
We shall make something more than Il Tor.
nal allegation ofpreierenee tor tie restrict.
ed and literal interpretation Of the consltu
ton, rather than lhat winch woald draw in
it, latitude powers MOI oliy incidental, but
iranscendine lhost specific ones from which
the former had beta derived.
This paper viii be conducted with Il strict
regard TO republican principles, Th'se priu-
ciples are avowed by almost ali, II not by
every public Press in the United states. Yet
we see many HblCh advocate and support
/ measures, men, Doctrines and opinions which
are hostile, IA our Judgments, 10 all tree 20.
verntnent, and especially so to the ropuoli-
caninstitutions oil onroN country. Ioassame
the gnise Of Rcpublicani,m aud thence to al.
| tack lis doctrines end endeavor II sap its
| foundation, j. " an homage which vice phys
to virtue" Tor hypooritcal and wicked purpo-
SEES,
To avoid all confusion of ideasand mi3con-
ception in relation TO ourselves, We think II
proper to state that we mean by republican
principles, those which are applicable to the
/ constitution OF the United States, and 10 the
Institutions of the sevcrpl olates--tbose
which were advocated in 'he memorable pc
I Rod 81 l19S 9, as contra distinguished from
; the Federal doctrines oil fhe same period -
those by Which the immortal Jefferson was
elevated 10 the Chief Magis'raey Il the Uni
! on, and according to which he administered
The government.
The principles thus av1.."d. viii lead us
tore2srd g. 'he p".#rfs OF the Federal Gov
erumeut, us rcsu.in@ from the compact made
| by The ,evcra, states rs parties thereto !;
and a. limited by the plain sense aud ntcn-
ton u tue INSTRUMENT composing that com
pat which - the constitution Vi thc Lni-
ted states
A period OF the History Of the United
States, now past, the General Assembly Of
Virginia had occasion 10 4" express its deep
regret that a splrlt has, in snudry instances,
been manifested by the Federal Government
to enlarge is powers 10y forced constructions
of the constitutional charter Which dehues
them aud that indications hive appeared oil
"A deslgu To- e1pound certain general phrase
- a, 10 destroy the meaning aud ettec' oi lhe
particular eunmer"tiou, which neGe sarll}
explains aud limits the general phrases aud
50 n, 10 consolidate the slatc5 BY degrees in
to one soy ereIgnty, the obvious tendency aud
inevitable result OF which would be TO rams
form the present Republican system OF the
United states, into an absolute, or AT least a
mixed monarchy HoweyerJnst aud strong
the reasons were at that time which cAcited
The regret and appgehensions then expressed
it IS now manifest by multiplied evidences
that spirit does eXis', not only IN the GO
verument, but III many Of the partizans AID
81 .hereuts Of the present administration, SO
- cou,irue suHdry enumerated powers, and
% TO eNpeund certain general phrases, as
10 Gnlargr the powers OF the Federal Govern
ment, heyoud the specific limitations con
tr,t,, IN Ia It.sas IN
tendency and inevitable result of which must
be TO transform the original Republican Sys-
| jem of Government, provided and intended
10 be established by the Constitution, into
sumo other system Of Government, whose
powers, derived by construction, aud hnding
no lin alton in the constitution, will BIZ de-
pendent solely on the viii OF the Government
whereby The compact between the, States
will be de troyed, and the rights aud sove-
reiyu;y of the seyeial StNes totally annhiid-
ted.
This result so shocking 70 humanity, and
de.tsncliye to tin. cause ot free government
throughout the world, will not, and cannot
occur suddenly in the United states, by an
lnsurpation Of all power hy the Government
o1rr the people and the several 0laie'. II Is by
sill n 3, slow degrees that atree people can lose
j their liberty: (except by superior foreign
force y bv measure after measure cautiously
advanced under plausible prclenceS of better
ing the condition OF The people, while at the
,ame time the power OF the government Is
I Accommodating oyer them: by measures art
j fully cauiriyrd from time 10 time To taVnr
one portion otthe people, without direct VI
! oleuGp to the other, soas 10 create aGhefehts
and supporters amung hr people OF the pow
rr assumed. One precedent becomes antho-
ritv for another, till dualiy. by inscnsihle adj