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

powers, by the discovery OF the ainalgamation OF
speeihc powers-fuily equal as propelling power
IN pohucs to the steam power in mechanics. But
moral, political and intellectual improvements are
duties assigned by the Author of our existence to
social, no less than 20 individua-Inan." The pow
crs here again described, include all powers--oi
course, unlimited powers for the undefil Il pur
pose OF improving the condition of man. sslhat
Inc tenure of power by man j., in the moral pur-
poses OF his Creator, upon condition that it shall he
exercised 10 eads OF bcneficence, to improve the
condition OF himself and his leIlow-men." Again
un!hnitcd-ieit exclusively to the will Of man
holding power according TO the moral purposes OF
las Creator Z" W ould il not be 10 cast away the
counties oil ProIldence:" Here, then, again are
the bOunGes OF Providence bestowed upon official
man-unlimted, Proyidential bountes cast away
by inaction, or refusing TO exercise them. Can
doubt exist, alter the foregoing statements taken
IN context with each other. not torn asunder of
the Presidents claims 10 unlimited powers in the
administration Of the practical government; yet
the dlscordant bewildercd members of the Anti
Jackson Convention thi nix this subject quite inap-
propIiae for discussion before the people & most
OF them so the whole length with the President in
ms Claims TO unlimited power, and the entire obi
ITERATION OF the written constitution. Thus leaving
tue American people stripped of their only written
charter Tor the security OF their rights and iber-
ties and leaving the whole TO the capriciou fantas-
teal will Of the practical government
But il may be said, these are mere abstract opi-
mons, and DO not constitute the foundation OF the
practical administration. The President most GER
tainly, calls loudly upon the administrators of the
government for the practical execution of the
whole +; AMI charges their failure to do So upon
them, as the highest political crime they could
commit -" Ireachery To the most sacred of
trusts, and casting away the bounties OF Provi-
uehce, Scout some of these powers, para
mount the Constitution, and in direct hostility
With Its most plain and solemn provisions are al
/ ready introduced into the practical government
and DC now constitute the foundation OF some of its
most important measures in practical operation
Mr. Clay, IN substance, declares that the great de-
sideratuIn IN political economy is the aggregate
produce OF the whole industry of the people to be
distributed at the will of the government The
PRESIDENT himself declares, substantially that the
people could not be so nefiably stupid, as to deny
the government the whole means of bcttering
theIr own condition, without any Limitation or re-
| stlction whatever The laws for internal i'm
provements, and the tariff laws for the protection of
! manufactures, are ayowedly bottomed upon these
doctrines; and are both seen and severely felt by
J them in their practical operation Mr. CLAW ex
presSly boomed the tariff law upon this great de-
SideIatu IN political economy. Yet ACCORDING TO
mr. Chairman, most of the Adams Convention an
prove OK the whole, and the rest treat these doc
ulnes with so much levity, to be willing to pass
uleh on Tor careless, inadvertent expressions or n
deficient taste in rhetoric at any rate as inannro
! pirate Tor discussion before the people How is
this subject viewed by MIR. Madison and Mr. lief
terson, with thousands of others of the most tried
! pdulois anu profound statesmen in the Unions Mr.
Mddlsons explanatory letter has been triumphant
~ hailed by the administration presses as settling
every thing in their favor. After its appearance
according to their notions, all further dispuation
respecting the Presidential Election, was to be at
/ an end Mr.. Madison's sanction was exuItinoIU,
said to be given to the measures of the adminis
uauon' regret extremely to believe, that il has
become my duty to make any remarks upon that
letier; which, am satisfied upon examination
VIII turn out to be the most unadyised and nnfnr
tunate letter 8F.Iff Bxrh ~, IT
conceive 1t contains positive condemnation Of the
administration in its most cardinal point although
possibly done with Some reluctance The follow
ing extract is taken from that letter:
i" must observe, also that though IL is true that
l have spoken Of the power of Congress in its en-
larged sense, over commerce, as primary and
known object IN forming the constitution, the Ian
guage oil the statement is Inaccurate at least as be-
! ing susceptible OF construction embracing the
indefinite powers over the entire resources Of the
/ country"
Here MIR. Madison seems TO regret the obIira-
uoh imposed upon him, TO guard his own political
/ lame; although must acknowledge this reluctant
eiioft 10 save his country IS feeble indeed, when
| compared with the magnitude of the subject, and
! TIE vital blow aimed at its liberties What must
! Mr. Madison reluctantly mean by the CONCLUDING
sentence IN this quotation; Having said g /
must observe also, that although il is true that
nave nave spoken Of the power OF Congress in an en-
iarged sense, over commerce, as a primary and
known OBJECT IN forming the Constitutionn-bIr
Madison proceeds 10 observe further, the IAN
guGSe OF the statement is incorrect at least as be-
| ing susceptible eta construction, embracing the
UIdefite PotCerS OreT the entire resources nj mr.
| country" What must have been Mr. Nadison's
OBJECT IN introducing this remark; and in This 90
| phisucated abstract lorml II can only have been
10 save'hls own political fame from cooperating I'm
the inonstTous doctrine Of Mr. Clay lie " -Iln-
wiling that any thing he had said should be .ssus-
cePuDle OF a construction, embracing the indefj-
hite powers over the entire resources Of the coi1n
/ Try; and well he might, when that doctrine en-
braces the very essence OF the most destructive
despotism.
Yet the practical doctrine of the administration
Is precisely that doctrine which embraces inJefi
me power over the entire resources of the coun-
! Wy ana In which doctrine Mr.. Madison is unwil-
ing TO associate himself; but sincerely regret tn
say that considering this most odous and bereti-
cal doctrine goes 10 the unqualified subversion of
the liberties OF mankind, the protest AGAINST II is
| feeble indeed! This difference between NJ
VI adlson and the Administration is the Great ami
cardinal point OF difference between free and des
pOuc Governments. The one asserts fbe RIGHTS ,f
property to be in the individual whose Iab6r nro-
duced IT. ana IS the great American discovery ia
Pohucal science The other asserts that the whole
proceeds oil the labor OF the people belongs TO the
Government, to be distributed at its Discretion
he odious antiquated doctrine of despodsn-Iet
US now examine the solemn protest entered by the
iaihented Jefferson against this monstrous despotc
9oclfhe. IL VIII not be found in sophisticated
| language so refined and distracted as almost 10
strap Itself oil all meaning. No il is plain and ex
PhCit, addressed TO every understandings and
frankly dcnounces the monstrous doctrine TO lis
deserved degradation and adherence. Hear Mr.
yCIioTson upon this al-impOrtant pons In this
'elter MT Jefferson asserts that he secs "a do
ana with the deepest a1icton, fhe rspid strides
WIN which the federal branch Of our Governroert
j. advancing towards the usurpation of all riphts