Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-05-02

But, after having caused more less OF public ex-
element at the time, they have passed away with
the occasion that produced them. Such Is human |
nature now-sucb has il been III all ages of the
world. The vets have alluded TO, highly ex-
ceptionable as they undoubtedly were, could ne
yer have produced an unyiclding exclusion from
the confidence Of majority of the people. for
more than aquarter OF century of large masses oil
men distinglis!ie Tor talent s. private worth" No
Sir, said he, the cause Of that great and glorious
struggle lies dceper-much deeper. itproceeded,
not FROM the consequences of those acts hut from
an opposition to the principle upon which they
were ioundcd-that principle was an alarming eX-
tension OF The constructive powers of this govern
ment-it rose, he had before said, FROM settled
conviction in the minds OF the people, that de-
iibcrate plan had been formed by the men then in
power. 10 change che government, from its true
republican iorm to one, If not moaarchicai, al
least too much inclined TO that direction. IL was
the apprehension that they were about 10 be des-
poiled oil the promised fruits OF the Revolution,
that aroused and called into vigorous action that
same great spirit by which the Revolution itsel,
was accomplished. Ii is 10 That cause only that
results unknown TO the politics of any other coun-
try are to be attributed. The cause was at least
adequate, IL all the consequences have not been
permanent. And what is the true character OF
the times upon which, in the course of events, and
the providence of God, we have fallen? Most I'M
propitious, truly.
Ii the views III relation TO the powers OF this 60
vernment, avowed by the present Executive, and
which lie at the foundations OF the present admin
istraton, the true doctrines OF the Constitution
fhcn ccdS 'the great political Revolution of 1900
founded an gross error, If not pdipabic fraud
upon the peOpfe.'-Disguisc the matter you will
SAID he, - TO this complexion must come al
last. Ii was most manifest, he said, that whate-
yer effects the events of I797-S9 and 1900 had
had upon the Federal uses, OF that day. their conse-
quences upon the principles that then prevailed
have not been AS elfectuai es was hoped and for a
season believed.
:. We hare seotched the snake, not killed It.;
Shell close and be herself again
But he trusted the prediction would not be ve-
rihed. She'll not close again. The people will
prevent it. He must indeed be a miserable Judge
oil public sentiment, who Cannot in its daily in
dications that the same spirit which before
rescued the Constitution from the hands of en-
cmies, Is at this moment fully reused. The ex-
cesses OF the last three years have produced in this
country changes oil public opinion wholly without
precedent The time, he trusted, was not far dis.
tant, when the interpretations which had been at
tempted upon the Constitution, with the wretched
sophisins by which they were supported, will be
SUBJECTS oil severe apprehension, nay, of dcrision
with the people, and when great portion of the
talents that have been employed in weaving the net
will need all its own ingenuity escape meshes
; He hoped he had not been misunderstood as sup.
posing that all who had heretofore been ranked a.
nong the supporters of the high toned doctrines
he had condemned, must of consequence occupy
che same station now. BY means. He would
be ashamed OF himself to be found the author
oil sentiments contracted and illiberal. He
knew too well that, although, TO certain eK-
tent, names are things, they not always the
unering evidence OF the things they signify
9he Juh experiment an peace and tn tcGr tcl,ich
zoe haze Rotc had Of the respective operations ana
efficiency IF the Federal aud State governments
ought to satisfy eyc'y diSpGSsiOnate inquirer of:
Ter truth " thcJGtlacy IF opinions once Q erten
Strety entertained. those VINO thought so ough
TO abandon them, and all who are wise enough "a
be honest, will do II is of itself intnateria b,
what political appeilaton men have heretofore oce
called. The great question is-what are honestly
their present sentiments upon those great points
which have, from the beginning, divided the a.
merican People, and would, he feared, continue 10
do so 10 the end?
hlr. Van Buren, said that, contrary TO his first
impression, he would vote in favour of the whole
amendment proposed by the Senator from Connec-
tictt. He would do so, because II would be The
most efiectuai manner in which he could assist in
putting down what, with all respect for the opin-
ions oil his fellow Senators, he could not but
as n'onstrous construction of the constitution
The amendment proposed appeal from the de-
cisiOn OF the Vice President to the Senate. If he
believed that the Vice President possessed the
power in question, by virtue of his Office he could
not vote Tor so great encroachment upon his
constitutional rights subject their exercise -
a supervision not provided for by the constitution.
IL, therefore, the amendments were adopted he
hoped we should hear no more of an inherent right
10 usurp, ana. which we, as I cannot but think to
cur dscredit, are attempting to force upon you, no
lens voicns.