Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1828-02-16
PROPOSALS,
PROPOSALS,
For publishing in the City CT Richmond new
Weekly Paper To be styled
The Friend of the Union:

for crtesre circulation among Me people, and 20 cher
ISL predominant attachment to The Union Of lie States.
as me only bond Of J1eeom happiness, and security
EDITORS ADDRESS.
The proposition to establish a new paper in the city
of Richmond where there already respectable
and talented prints, requires explanation. The editor
is solemny impressed with the opinion that crisis has
arrived, or Is fast approaching this country when the
strength OF lis institutions viii be tried. 1t is vitality
important that the great body OF the people should DO
enlightened; and III aid of that object il expedient
that cheap vehicle of information should be establish
cd at the Metropolis of this State accessible 10 all who
feel any interest in political n ,rcckiy paper
can be afforded by almost every reading man IN the
community. 1t will record all passing events deserving
notice, anu VIII suihccutiy abound in original of
public and measures, enable lis readers 10 form
decided and impartial Judgment lis title sufficiently
INDICATES the predominant feeling of the editor. He
considers the UNION DANGER and is desirous TO
lend his humble efforts 10 inspire general conviction
OF the great blessings which ii coniers. Doctrines
have heen advocated in the Southern portion of the u
States, including Virginia, which If not manfuy met
anu exposed VIII sooner or later end subvertng the
VAIREsT POLITICAL FABRIC WHICH HEAVEN EVER
yoCCHEp 70 MAN. The idea has gone forth proclaim
ed IN some Instances by Legislative authority that each
individual State possessed Inherent right to decide
for ITSELF all violations of the federal compact and
TO withhold at pleasure lis allegiance tile Supreme
law The death kne of the Republic is already rung
unless this mischcvous heresy shall be strang-
led by the people themselves. The true orirn and
character of the Federal Constitution must be spread
before the the extent of their Obligations both 10 the
National State Governments must be explained: and
The solemn warnings of the best patriots whom Ameri
ga has produced, WASHINGTON at their head0 must
| be invoked to stay the destroying hand winch is
at work The editor sincerely entertains the belief
that without some revolution i'll the public mind. the
reverence for the Union will be daily lessened by the
efforts OF either designing mistaken men; and that
the Confederacy will ultimately become mere ssrope
OF saDd"-He thinks tTa. the much talked of evil of
CONSOLIDATION is mere bugbear, and that the real
vice OF our Institutions consists in constant proneness
| anarchy and dlSnemberment, ,tio
in the sense generally understood by heated politicians
involving Prostraon of the State soveregntics, and
uurpation of all powers in the Federal head in it
sell utterly impossible. If great minds have sometimes
INDUCED the chimea they Only sheyy how the
brightest reason be eclpsed by the power of preu
dice. Republic like ours, constantly enlarging the
sphere OF IFS aCton,-he number of IFS constituent
pars,-its power population and resources,-must in
evItaby crumble into pieces by its size and weight
II NOT hrlu together by strong common bond, and by
a powerful Central Authority. fair and liberal in
depreciation of Federal rights is therefore essential 10
our very existence Naton and If the strict and lit
era construction, so much insisted upon, should finally
prevail our Government must inevitably dissolve by lis
own weakness.
With respect TO the present contest for the pres,en
tia Chair, reduced il is 10 a choice between two
comprehensive editor does not hesitate to express
his preference for the present incumbent. Without
fofeboding any immediate III consequences from the Ell
ovation of Gen Jackson he believes that the preccden,
of electing man solely for military merit will exer-
else mischievous influence in after times He be
orlSnaed,-a an opposition concerted and organized at
the moment OF MIR. adams Giection-s in itself not on
" highly unfriendly, but extremely dangerous to pub
iic liberty and happiness. Apart from these consde
raons, the editor considers tue question of personal
preference, wholly insignificant. The Government If
administered in its whole constitutional yeor would
be safer even in the hands Of military Chieftainn
! than guided By tinid and irrcsolute Statesman.
ii Will be the aim and object of this paper to illus
tTate the true spirit of nsutons,-to 90 back TO
the days of asngton and TO gather the rich fruits Of
that great aud good mans experience, TO be spread be-
fore the present generation. Without admitting that
unlimited reverence is due 10 any man, may be safely
affirmed, that ashingon, more than any other beue-
factor OF the human stands pre- eminent for exal
ted wisdom,-deVotion TO liberty, and unriYaed pub
| TIC virtue model OF such SURPRISING excellence,
ought to be continually presented 10 the imitation of
his countrymen; and il may be truly a:d that when his
name and services forgotten, America will not On.
have verged TO the very brink but will have actual
ly descended into the deepest abyss of mora land po,-
ical degeneracy.
Next TO right understanding of the true theory
and practice OF our iDstuons,-the Editor believes
That their duration Is materially dependant upon the
due enforcement and general popularity of what is cal
led the .1ncricdn System. The policy of building I'D
Domestic Manufactures by judicious encouragement
and protection, 10 one, that he has heartily approved
since the war Of 1912, and he unesitangly thinks that
the preservation OF the Union mainly rests upon such
system of National Internal Improvement as shall knit
together the great cardinal divisions of the Empire in
| one common bond of interest. Upon the subject of
]
are tas falling from the eyes of citizens Their in
tcrests arc too important to be sacrificed TO few ia
Yorlie maxins IN political economy and even those
who have heretofore espoused the theories of Adam
Smith, against the common Of mankind, are be-
coming ashamed of their errors, and are willing to
embrace the truth.
As the basis Of all sound politics, the Editor is a ri
gid advocate for both public and private virtue. If
there is one truth under Heaven which dees contra.
dicon is, that morality and intelligence are essential
to freedom Make but people ignorant and vicisYs,
aud yon make them slaves. In the language of our
Biz Of Rights, No free Government or tile blessings
OF liberty can be preserved to any people, but by firm
adherence 10 justice moderation temperance rugality
and virtue. and by frequent to fuDdamen-
tal principles"
10 reference to himself. the Editor offers a few
words OF explanation. lie has chosen fictitious name
with no desire to hiD rod personal responsibility.
Truth aud argument the same, whether they pro
ceed from known or concealed source and he in.
tends that nothing personal vindctiye sha ever de-
e his columns he is Of ne obligation to appear
before the public in bis individual character lie