Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-01-17

Of the constitutional eo.nnact
acted on by the legislature Of the federal branch.
ana II Is but too evident that the three ruling
branches OF that department, are in combination.
10 strip their colleagues, the state authorities of
the powers reserved by them, and to exercise
themselves, all functions, foreign and domestic
Under the power 60 regulate commerce" they as
sumo Indefinitely, thar also over agriculture and
manufactures; and call ii regulation too, TO take
the earnings OF one Of these branches of industry.
and that TOO, the most depressed, and put then,
into the pockets OF the other, the most ourishng
oil all. Under the authority to establish post
roads they claim that Of cutting down mountains
Tor the construction OF roads, OF digging canals;
and, aided by little sophis,ry on the words sgen-
eral welfare right to d. = only the acts. NJ
effect hat, which are specif( enumerated, and
permitted; but whatsoever. they shall, think. or
Pretend WIN d. Tor the general welfare. And
what Is our resource for the preservation of the
constitution! Reason, and argument, You might
az well reason, and argue, with the marble col.
umss enci cling them. The Representatives
chosen by ourselves! They are joined in the
colho'ha'ion; some from incorrect views of GO
vernment; some from corrupt ones, sufficient,
voting together. to ou,number the sound parts:
aud with msjoriies. OF only l, q or B. bold enough,
to go forward in defiance. fire ,oe then to stand
to our dr,ns7"
few words are here omitted relating merely
to an individual
no. that must he the last resource, not to be
thought OF until much longer, and greater suffer.
ings il every iniraction OF a compact of so many
parties is 10 be resisted at once, as dissolution Of
II, none can ever be formed. which would las. Que
year. w" must have patience, an long endu-
IA, hen, with our brethren, while under tel,i-
on. Give them time for reflection, and expert
ence oil consequences; keep ourselves in a sua-
ton 10 profit by the chapter of accidents and
separate IRON our companions, only, when the SOLE,
alternatives left, the dissolution of our union
WIN them, or submission TO government with
out Limitation OF powers. Between these two
evils, when we must make a choice, there can be
no hesitation"
here 1t would seem, that whilst Mr. NJ adison
not only receives Mr.. ALams's widest lsti,udina-
an doctrines with complacency and dpproba atom
put even improves upon the original invention
Mr Jefferson denounces them in no doubtful
st aims, and even declares that force should be ii
hay resortcd TO for resisting Them, if persever-
ance IN them should demand that last dreaded al
tentative. AS to the influence then of names, in
the present case, by far the greatest preponderat
ing balance Of Mr.. MS anne is in favor OF fair
PLAIN and honest Interpretation OF the Constitution,
under the same just rules, always applicable TO the
construction OF other written instruments whilst
the whole influence of Mr. Jefierson's name. dur
Ing The whole uniform tenor of his life, is found
on uiat side OF the question. But the writer thinks
That nothing can be more insulting to the people,
IMAM the attempts, recently made, TO bind their
judgments by the influence of names. The expe-
riments made upon the peoples incapacty TO
Judge Tor themselves, in the late Presidential cleo
ton, ought TO be Il damper to the experimentalists
against making further efforts. The experiment
can only he founded upon the position. that The
people are not competent TO their own govern
ment, the great principle upon which our repub-
ican system depends, and ought to be utterly dis
regarded and disrespected direct imputation
upon it, II these new-borrowed notions of MIR.
MS at thisiste period Of his life, be calculated to
excite surprise, what wonder will not DO excited
oy the manner OF exhibiting them to the public
consideration
Let that subject be hereafter impartialIy and
respectfully examined.