Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1828-04-12


of laws, without the consent of the representatives oil
the people, will not be exercised, That elections
WIN be Tree from improper influence. That during
TINS administration, agisrates will ba "he trustees
and servants" Of the people, the true sense of the
bilot rights? .4nd that the 'means of acquiring and
possessing property, and pursuing and obtaining ba
Pness and safety, will DO better secured TO the peo-
pie than they now are! Have you, the other hand
any proof to believe that the re election
OF John Quincy Adams viii endanger these rights
asserted aud claimed and mana iued in your Bill OF
hghts' shall not discuss these ii is enough
10 suggest them But, 1t is important that you should
think of them and answer them satisfactorily to YOUR
! selves, before you vote for President. IF Andrew
Jackson shall seem to you the appointed guardian of
your chartered rights, the kind protector and father
sent by Heaven to secure your happiness and poit-
cal prosperity, then vote for him. If John Quincy
Adams twho has honestly served you for nearly four
years IN the high Office of PresidenO shall still be
mouSht oy you an honest, capable trustee and SER
want aud i'll all respect better quai than his great
rival TO control for another four years the destines of
ms great nation then vote for him. Ponder the
subjects embraced by the foregoing ouestions-apd
let your knowledge OF MI Adams, life and character
and OF Gen Jackson's prorte political and military
ve point you to tue appropriate answers aud direct
you, in your conduct.
II you wish more full information respecting the
political principles of Virginia and especially re.pec,
ing the principles, IF the u. St1tes or her
opinions IN regard 10 the prescribed powers and duties
OF her federG and State governments you NAV OBJ
tam oy looking mo the debates in The Virginia
convention, VIII Gu adopted the federal consu,io,-
INTO he resolutions, reports and proceedings of Your
Legislature, for years past--and especially into
Tue report called .UaaiSOn's {scp0si the alien and
edl''on laws. As long good sense sound argument
anu pure patriotism shall be held in high stnation;
ana 'ehetaton to5 political wisdom, shall dwell in the
breasts OF Virginan'; iqdisOns Repor will be text
onok Of political principles and constitutional doctrine
resofted TO IN times of difficulty and danger Jy Vr-
ginia statesmen.
Our present Federal Constitutfon was adopted iaf-
Ter hard struggle in many of the States and in the
N Tho hI,,
Hcnrys eioquence) in lieu Of the old .4rf,cicS # Con
Je"eFaeion, winch experience had proved 10 bc nade-
4uate 10 the purposes of good gove nncnt Before the
adoption OF the Federal CONSTITUTIONS series of ably
written letters in vindcao,i of the proposed Csn ,titu
ton was addressed TO the People .be United States
by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John
Jay letters, the pniciaDs OF the Virginia
school have drawn rich materials for forming their
creed They indeed, an almost incxhausIihlc
NINE OF valuable principles and truths. As Soon a,
The ederai Constitution adopted and the Govern
ncnt went INTO opera, ION under il, that instrument
was differently interpreted by those concerned in car
ryIng It's provisions into effect. Some adopied
depreciation which tended TO strengthen the Federal
Government! believing that the exigencies Of the times
required an energetic Government. Others (yho
charged their Opponents with disposition 10 CHI
on the State Sovereignties, and great splen-
did, powerful consolidated National Government
were deslrous Of aiming the Federal authorities b
srict construction OF the constitutional charter
Virginia placed herself IN The last class. She regarded
ana no' regards the Constitution of the u. States
an instrument IN winch the people have given the
ederai Government certain specified and defined pow
ers To be exercised by that Government FOR the bene-
hi OF the whole u. Siates--that, that government
IS strictly speakiDg OF limited and specified pow
ersthat II ri hiully exercise no mower NOT ak
ressiy granied except such necessary and pro
per for carrying into effect those expressly
4he most orthodox statesmen OF Virginia believe tba
IN point OF tact, the Government of the o. States has
in sundTy instances, tTanscendej the limits of its cnns
tniional authority; and neroached on the State Go
vernments, CT the 'eopie-tha: this has heen done
ny means o erroneous and forced the
constitutional charter, under the administrations John
Quincy Aiams james Monroe James Madison Tho
iDas Jefferson, John Adams, and George asiiinnton
mat ihcfe is nopoweT delegated TO the Gov errment
o. ule u status or any OF its departments, open
roads ard caHa,s make other iI,lcrna irnp oreGeus
N the States, either with or without Their consenl:
and that such powers are not necessary and pfnper
for carrying intocEect any OF the graned pom ers.
lhey think also, that The Legislature of the UnioD
10 ccnstitu iIonai grant OF the power claimed and *
ercaed by u, OF protecting domestic manufactures. by
nigh dniios on foreign goods These powers hare 6sen
j ererc'Sed by the Government of the H. States. The
last 'neai'oned power considered by many our
w'ses Citizens as within the Legitimate sphere of the
Fedora Leg stature. The truly great Madison him
self, IS OF tins opinion. Bat many Of the Republican
Fa''y OF Virginia 'f indeed that party be dis
| iingnshed by any known marks) condemn the exer-
c'se oil tbs power, as not among the number OF the
specified and delegated powers, aud necessary or
proper, TO carry into effect any such powers.
virginia is, and always has been, the Jealous adyo-
tA'C anu III iEIeDi OF the onion. SiIe regards
the arb Of our political safety, amidst storms and tenn
pests and vii! hold to II the last hope o freedom
the world
whilst speaking of the political principles OF yir-
gina, ought 10 say that she has been heretofore the
advocate or opponent, OF than of men.
She opposed the administration of the elder ADAMS be
cause sue condemned his measures. BY her temperate
YET Pefseyering, determined aud dignfed opposition
10 these measures she at last instrumental IN
. ing the country from tiem
! But although Virginia has generally been for ,nen-
suTes and not Tor men, she has refused to re
"aTd an honest public servant trough he may
hAVe sometimes mis- aiken the path Of duty She never
expects perfection, of her and servants No
/ thing human is perfect She approved and admired
Tie political principles of Thomas jefferson For
'hese principles and tor his talents and private worth,
| he was made President Of the r. States Pure as
"a5his patriotism, splendid were bis talents orthc-
d"H as we're s political lenets; he yet, erred the ad
ininsirs'icn o. the Government ''Hvplnnuyl est err
rare" Ills errors we're unnotiCed & almost unknown,
curing his YTtuDus and adm