Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-05-15
VOL. XXvI. NO. 2.

oh otileE coIiinhnlIicS 10 Hrt means OF crsurinSs
triumph over their opPoncnis.-Of consequence,
the political relations, which would subsist he
tween the different republics that would sprine. ~
from our disunion, would be determined chiefly BE-
party spirit ny passion, which is most re ckless .S
consequences, most prolific OF discord most proii-
gal OF blood. Each republic would be broken into
TWO factions, one in possession and the other r.,
parsuit OF power, and bo,h prepared to link them
selves with the factions OF their neighbours and Ia
sacrifice the peace and essential interests OF tho
state 20 the qualification of ambition andrevcnre
through such causes, operating in the Grecian re-
puohcs, civil war added ITS horrors TO foreign con
tests. we see nothing TO avert from ouTseIves.:p
ever divided, the same upspeakable calamity.
In i!iIs exposition Of The evils which would sprine.-
from disunion, We have spoken strongly, but, we
trust, calmly. There ~ no need Of exaggcraficp
Il seems TO us, that the Imagination cannot eas,,v
exceed the truth. We do dread separation az The
greatest Of political evils, with the single excep-
ton OF slavery Undoubtedly particular State
may and ought to break the bond ifthat bond is IN
be turned into yoke Of oppression. But much
very much should be endured before we expcse
ourselves &c the calamities OF separation. We nag
ucu'ariy recommend the views which we have
taken, to those among us, whose interest in the
Union is weakened by vague idea, that larre
community cannot be as well governed as small
Tho reverse Of this, ma kim, we have seen. is
true OF federal republic. Under despotism in
deed vast territory may increase the sufYerincs
oil the people, because the sovereign at the centre
| however well disposed, cannot spread himself 10
the extremities, and distant provinces are almost
sible governoro. But under the wise distribution
power in tins country, we enjoy tile watchfin
and minute protection Of local government, com
bined with the immense advantage OF a widn
spread community. Greater means of prosperity q
people cannot enjoy. Let us not be defrauGe,f OK
them by selfish or malignant passions.
| ffomthe remarks now made, it will at once tc
understood, on what account chiefly we prize am
would uphold our National Government We
prize il bond Of union; as that which ccnsti
tnses Us one people; preserving the different
States form mutual iea,ousies and wars, aid from
separate alliances with foreign nations; as rugat
| ing party spirit; in word, as perpetuaiing our
peace. SO great so ines;imable is this COOL that
| all other benefits and influences Of the Federal
government seem TO us rs nothing. We woI,d
lay down this as the fundamental principle OF lis
| administration. Che bearing OF measures on aiS
Union should be the chief aspect, under which
they should be regarded by Congress. Taking.
tins position we are naturally led 10 some sresE
maSins by which, "a we ooncsve. our public az
fairs should be guided, and now proceed TO dc
velope these, as well rs t. point out other mean.
for securing confederation.
In the fret place, il to be inportant that
the administration of our government should Ee
marked by ihe greatest possible simplicity. We
hold this 20 be no uhinipoItaH means OF perpetu-
ating orr Cnion. Laws and measures should La
inte.iigsbie founded on plain principles. and src..
as common minds may comprehend. This inlcet
IS a maxim 20 be applied to republican govcrn-
ments universally. The essential idea Of a re-
public is, that the sovereignty is in the public In
!
supreme power on others BY the frequency O..
elections, they are called 50 pass judgment on 6eir
representatives,. It's essential 10 This mode Of "a,
veTn N emf, Tat through iie, press, all p;lbEc
measures should be brought before the tribunal ,S
the people. o. course refined AMI subtle ,po!.-
cy, or complicated Legislation, which cannos he
Understood hut by aboFieIs research and Toasoii-
ing, Is hostile 10 the genius OF republican in=f.lr-
tons. Laws should be plain and few, intended 10
!, meet ohvous wants and suali "a arc clearly re-
qnired by the greAtin'erests oi the community.
For ourselves, we satisfied that all govern
Dnens without exception adopt no safer rtsic
than the simplicity which have SOW reeoil-
nended The crying Gin Of al goverruenisir,
that they inermeddIe iniurion-ly with human az
laigS aud obs;ruci The processes Of nature by OK
cessive regulation. TO us, society is such rom
pi;cated concern, It's Interests Affected by so
many and snoh subtle causes, there arc so mani
secret springs at work in lis hosom, and such AZ
certainty hangs over tie distant Issues os human
arrangements, that are asjopished and slIocked
(: at the ierncTity af iegslaorsil interpreting heig
= c0ntrivances and control except wi;cTe crcntf
: Fnt experience she'd clear light. Above all, IN
country ike our own, where public measuets
aFeto be judged by millions OF people, scaitcrc,;
y over vast territory. and most oi whom ave On
gagged III ia9oT;3us occupations, know Doi Il.
palmer principle, than that the domestic aud 70
reign policy Of governments should he perspicuons
and founded obvious reasons, that plain ca
ses may in the main, If not always, be offered 10
popular decision Measures, which demand pro I.
found thought IOy their ustiiicaiion about wn,tI
, intelligent and honest men differ, and the useful
: ness OF which cannot be made out 60 the common
mind, are UNIT for republic. II in t,s way m
porlant national advantages should DC sometimes
lost ought 10 submit 10 tie evil as inseparabic
from Institutions, and should comfort ourselves
. with thinking, that Prov ;dence never bestays ~.
unmiRed good, tiiat The best form OF government
has its ncon. eniences and that people posscse.
ing freedon afford TO part with nany means p
D immediate wealth. we have 10 fear however
that people will ever suffer iy iieid application,
2 o. our rule. Legislators cannot feel too deeply
! the delcacy Of their work, and their great frnr
rance of the complicated structure aud OF the null
pIicd and secret relations OF thc sccia! easo. ami
5 they ought not 20 hagien, my, more, they ought
: to disirust policy TO the justice ani wi-dom q
which the suiTagc oipublic opinion caanGt hc de
, cidcdiy and inte!.igouiiy s7cuscd inour gepul-
gislaiion with all possible simplicity, anl 10 ab-
stain from measures, which, by iheir complications
obscuriy, and uncertainty, mus, distract the pub
lie mind, and throw IL into agitation and aueis
controversy. let - be their sna 10 cast ar,ofg
,lIe people as few trands nj dscor,l 10 uos.jbtft
and ior this end, let Oh" pirit o. a'vcutu teo
~ be dismissed, and hie spirit 81 q, lcsty caution
and prudent simplicity preside over legislation. IN
thesa remarks tee have not luIgoUru that the.e
70 determine is course without delay, anida gre e
hazards aud in stormy, distracted state Of ,llc
public mind. But these arc exceptions to The or
| binary course Of human aaaira, ana 10 these o.,
principle which wc have adya0ccA IS not 10 bs
applied.
We here p-occel to another principle sl rno~r
! important 10 tho preservation Of nc tfrinn. Tho
General Government should corresrooI 10 .le name
that il, should - neral or Guversai in il- apist
and operations. " should be characterized by rt~-
| thing so strikingly as ly immrGllity, by tie al
ernrc Of sectional fcrlincr y eeiirjnh'c 10 disfft