Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-02-14

identified Commerce being the interchange Of
commodities, implies tho exchange Of one thing
for another, between different individuals or ma
tons. Domestic manufactures are local -st:.-
lishmen;s, founded for the production. OF conf
modies. and the phrase implies exchange at
all. The term commerce associates general
idea OF trade. The term MANUFACTURERS associ-
ates the idea of liked, permanent, local iounda-
lions. Commerce supplies to the American citi-
zen, in return FOR the product of his labour, the
varied products Of distant climes. Manufactures
convert his raw material into fabricks for con-
sumption. Snphistry itself cannot identity things
thas substantive and distinct; nor render synon:-
nous, the terms or phrases by which they are rep
resented. Yet the argument which derives the
power to protect domestic manufactures from tlic
power to regulate commerce, does indeed identity
the subjects, and render the terms substantially
SYNONYMOUS
The power too, 10 regulate commerce, was
granted with view 10 it's perfection. Indepen-
dent OF the consideration Of revenue, il was dele
gated to secure the most advantageous arrange
inenis in foreign trade, and TO ensure domestic
tranquility, by eXungushing all subjects of cavil
among the States, originating in particular con-
ilicing Legislation. But the policy of the protect
ing duty's SYSTEM, is by 10 means the advance
ment OF commercial interest. Its object is to eA-
lingui h foreign trade; whilst it surely disturbs
domestic tranquility, by furnishing a subject Of
loud and heavy complaints OF severe and angry
recrimii'a,on. To derive, then, the right 10 pro
tect domestic manufactures, from the power TO
regulate commerce, would be TO pervert the de-
sign OF the trainers OF the Constitution defeat the
ends Of the instrument ITSELF and to establish the
paradoxical proposition, that is the same thing
to perfect and 10 destroy.
Having concluded tits minute examination OF
the several clauses OF the Constitution, which
supposed to refer to the subject OF prote citing
duties, or which have been claimed to have such
reference, your committee find themselves occu-
plying position whence they may proceed with
greater advantage 10 the contemplation of this
momentous subject The great design of the
Federal Compact, rs conceived by the wisdom OF
its illustious authors was the establishment of
Government, competent 10 combine the energies
OF the seveia States, for the purposes of mutual
and reciprocal safety and protection, against foreign
insult and aggression: Government, ad. quate
TO secure the harmony and tranquility OF Ameri-
ca by discriminating all subjects Of feud, and in
teTposing its friendly and impartial adjudication on
occasion OF cavil or dispute among the States
Experience had shewn TO our sagacious States
men, that these were subjects Of general con-
Germ, IN which the States held n common inter
est the advantages oil which were mainly sacr-
heed, by the particular, conflicting Legislation OF
the STATES. he jurisdiction over these, il was
obviously proper, to YES, in common tribu-
nal, having authority to legisate for the general
veal, and in relation these subjects 10 secure
the greatest possible advantages, to the common
family Of American States. The difficulty and
delcacy oil erecting such tribunal, with pow ers
adequate TO these ends, yet constructed as to
ensure the perpetual independence of the States
with uniinpalred authority over all other subjects,
iorcbly suggested itself to the sagaety OF those
who then conuouled the desnes of America
They despared OF this vast achievements by the
efforts and under the sanctions of individual man.
| and wisely determined to bring to its accomplish
| ment, the energies and sanctions Of indepentien,
| sovereignties.
| Your committee will not impose on themselves
the labour of compiling an historical sketch of the
transactions, which induced the foundation of the
| Federal Government. This history i, is presum-
ed, is familiar to all. In conformity with arrange
ments previously understood, the distinct and in
dependent States OF America assembled in General
Convention at Philadelphia, and in their sove reign
corporate characters, proceeded consider the IA
ture of the Compact, which it might be deemed
| wise to establish among themselves. All the pro-
ceedings which were then had, were dispatched in
| their characters OF sovereign States, and Gov
eminent was instituted, not sus aimed by the sane
ton OF majority Of the people of America, but
| by the sanctions of the people of the severa,
States. The plan OF Government, then establish
| ed, was coAtormable to suggestions heretofore
made. Each of the sovereigntes than assembled,
| determined to cede 10 the Federal Government,
certain portions of its sovereignty, reserving the
! residue unimpaircd. In the cessions which were
| made, the Government was enabled to concentrate
the whole strength of the Union, for the assertion
and vindication of our national rights. Ii was in
vested with sufficient power, TO tranquiliZe dis
turbances among the States; together with a gem
eral jurisdiction, over such matters of general
| concern, as involved the common interests of the
States, but which could not he wisely arranged,
by the rival, partial and conflicting iegisiau ON OF
the particular States. The jurisdiction over al
| other subjects, was expressly reserved 10 the
States respectively. All subectsAot local ma
ture, the internal police OF the States; the uris-
diction over the soil, the definition and punish
ment OF crime, the regulation of labour, and all
subjects which could be advantageously disposed
| by the authority Of particular State. were re-
served TO the jurisdiction Of the State Govern
ments. The wisdom of this regulation will not be
ques Toned; for. ii surely must be sufficiently OBJ
vious, that to subject local domestic affairs 10
any other authority than Legislature.
| would be 10 expose to certain destruction. the
happiness and prosperity Of the people OF Virginia.
| This principle accordingly established: That
all subjects Of general nature should be confid-
ed to the Federal Government, whilst those which
were local in their character, were reserved for
the jurisdiction of the States respectively.
| This distribution of political power having been
established by the Constitution, the happiness and
prosperity Of the American people deinInd that II
should be preserved The theory of government
ases,ablished in America, con,emplates the Fcde-
raj and State Governments mutual checks on
one another, constituting the various authorities
| to revove within their proper and constitutional
| spheres. Each Government is invested with su.
preme authority, in the exercise of its legitimate
funcions whilst the authority Of either is wholly
void, when exerted over a subject withheld from
its jurisdiction. Should either depository of politi-
| cal power, unhappy be disposed TO disrs ard the
| Constitution, and destroy the proportions of our
beautiful theory, il deyolves upon the other 10 in
terpose, as well from regard 10 it, own safety as
Tor the perpetual preservation Of our political in
stitutoDs. Ii there be characteristic of the
Federstivc system, peculiarly entitled to our adj
miraiion, it is the security which is found Tor ndi-
vldual liberty ia the separate energies OF distinct
Governments, uniting and cooperating for the
public good; but separating and conflicting, when