The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1828-01-03
PROSPECTUS
For publishing a metz paper IN he torn OF
Innrhhnrp. In be ruI,H

dItf III iHis Town, lHe SHDsETlbPrS have de-
termined to make the experiment, of its prac-
uGHblily. In presenting ourselves in the
oharacter,of Editors, we obey IL long estab.
lshed custom. aud, we presume, the require.
ment of the public in submitting very sue.
cinrtly something explanatory OF our course
aud political opinions. 1t is Indispensable
that he whose office will call upon him TO
make frequent commentary upon State trans.
actions SHOULD not only have Correct thenrel.
ical and practical views of governments, we'll
settled aud defined in his own Judgment,
but that they be presented with the utmost eau.
dour and perspicnity 10 that OF the commun-
ty, TO which he doubtless owes the highest
responsibility. II is proper 10 have a sort Of
formulary OF stiitical faith, adopted upon the
best reflection, because il furnishes the data
and the rule BY which the obquilies OF the
wavering may be de ected, the detection of
the apoState known, and the stability OF the
consistent made manifest. The moral force
of journal indeed depends upon several
particulars in this country especially upon
/ its stediHst adherence TO the nxloms of rspub-
/ lcan government, declared III its CONSTITUTE
on to its orthodox Interpretation of that in
strument and a constant concord mutatis
mataadiS betwixt past and present opinions
and lastly upon its moderation, temperance
and decorum.
| II is anticipated that above all, we are re-
/ quired to be very explicit in our view OF the
conflicting, and Incompatible modes adopted
in the exposition OF our Federal Constitution.
! We shall make something more than for.
nal allegation of preference for the restrict
ed aud literal Interpretation OF the constltu-
! ton, rather than that which would draw in
its latitude powers moi Only incidental, but
trRnscendiug lhOse specific ones from which
the former had been derived.
This paper will be conducted with strict
regard TO republican principles. These prn-
cples are avo~ed by almost all, it not by
every public Press in the United States Yet
/ we see many which advocate and support
measures, men, doctrines aud opinions, y hich
are hostile, in our judgments, to all free go-
vernment, and especially so to the republic
caninstitutions OF our own country. IoasSume
the guise of Kepubicani,m and thence to at
tack its doctrines end endeavor To sap its
foundation, i, an homage which vice pays
to virtue" for hypocritlcai and wicked pnrpo-
ses.
To avoid all confusion of ideasand miscon-
cepton in relation 10 ourselves, We think it
proper to state that We mean by republican
principles those which are applicable to the
constitution of the United states, aud to the
Institutions of the several States-those
which were advocated IN The memorable pc
Rod of 1889, as cnnira distinguished from
the Federal doctrines Of the same period -
those 10y which the immortal Jefferson WAS
elevated TO the Chief Magistracy OF the Uni
on, aud according To which he administered
the government
The principles thus avowed, will lead us
10 regard " the powers of the Federal Gov
ernment ms resulting from the compact ma de
by the several States, as parties thereto j;
and limited by the plain sense and inten-
ton oil the instrument composing TINT com
pact'-which is the constitution Of the Uni
ted States
At period Of the History OF the United
States, now past, the General Assembly OF
Virginia had occasion to "express lis deep
regret that a spirit has, in snndry instances,
been manifested by the Federal Government
TO enlarge IFS powers by forced constructions
Of the constitutional charter which defines
them and that indications have appeared OF
desig n to expound certain general phrases,
so as 10 destroy the meaning aud effect OF the
particular enumeration, which necessarily
explains and limits the general phrases and
/ so rs 10 consolidate the States by degrees in
to one sovereignty, the obvious tendency and
inevitable result OF which wonid be TO trans.
form the present Republican System OF the
United States, into an absolute, or at least a
mixed monarchy" However Just and strong
the reasons were at that time which excited
the regret and apprehensions then expressed
it is now manifest by multiplied evidences
that II spirit does exist, not only iii the go
vernment, but in many Of the partlzans and
adherents OF the present administration, so
= 10 construe sundry enumerated powers, aud
I so 10 expound certain general phrases, AS
3 Ia enlarge the powers OF the Federal Govern
ment, beyond the specific limitations con-
tanned in the constitution the necessary
tendency and inevitable result of which must
be TO transform the original Republican Sys-
: TEN of Government, provided and intended
to be established by the Constitution, into
sotne other system of Government, whose
powers, derived by construction, and finding
no limitation the constitution, will be de-
pendent solely on the will OF the Government
, whereby the compact between thei States
will be destroyed, and the rights and sove-
reigniy of the several States totally annihlia-
{ ted.
This result so shoe king 10 humanity, md
: destructive to the cause OF free government
throughout the world will not, and cannot
occur suddenly in the United States, by an
usutpation of all power by the Government
oyer the people and the several states. II Is 10y
silent & slow degrees that n free people can lose
their liberty Except by superior foreign
force y by measure after measure cautiously
advanced under plausible pretences OF better.
ing the condition OF the people, while at the
same time the power OF the government IS
accnmula,ing over them; by measures art
fully contrved from time 10 time 10 favor
one portion ofthe people, without direct vi
olence 10 the other, SOFAS TO create adhereu's
and supporters among the people OF the pow
er assumed. One precedent becomes au,ho-
rity for another, ill finally, by insensible ad-
vences, the original free institutions OF gov
ernmeut, which the people had established
are changed and done away, aud those who
govern become invested with new and abSo-
lutte authority.
This is the tendency Of all Governments;
those who are invested with limited power,
! find it convenient to possess more--it is AS
snmed under pretense for the public good
- =. ~, ~ arast of the neonlp. But this