Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1830-03-30
RICHMoN'D, TUESDAY, .MaRCH 30.


We couess we are iii appointed a, the course Of some
Of the memcrs in he II. OF II AT a moment when
the doctrine OF State X ghts promulgated by some
of the ablest politicians in the Uuion-wheh the De-
bat. i'm the u States had drawn forth torrent of yht
the true theory oi the Consuon-when The pr n
cpes Of The Old Reprb can Parry ad
al force from the lips of Hayne and Smith OF c. Row
an and Benton of the West, and Woodbury. OF New
II ampshirewhcn they had inconte stbly demonstrated
that the Federal was government OF iimtt d. powers
and that every power which claimed must he
shown directly necessarily in the nsru mt self
when the fathers OF the Church were array.
ed In defence OF the faith; and Jefferson and Madison
the Report OF the Virginia Legislature aud the Re.ou-
tons OF Kentucky, were relied the standard au-
horiiies when the old party lines between Republic
cans and Federalists seemed about be drawn we
witness with pain and regret the atiemm which IL maxi
np in the House OF Representatives 10 erect grand
National Rold from ButIaos TO New O,leans at an sit
mated expense OF near millions and half of dollars
We could scarcely have expected thai such a
SCHEME would meet with such supporiers.--P PHO
p p. Barbour has out i'm OF, o.ition 10 it.
with spirit and with power, which have added
new lustre to his reputation. But describe
the disappointment we experience, when the names of
Messrs Blair and isaacs of Tennessee of Messrs Craig
and Smyth OF Virginia, found under the banners Of
the advocates of the powers of the General Govern
ment We know the ability of these gentlemen
We know and have felt i'm especial degree the pow
ers hich Alexander Smyth has displayed in Congress
in rayng round the true principles of the Constitution
We shall look anXiousy for the Speech which he has
Just delvered-the manner in which he gets what
he pronounccs to be his "cons onal objections the
exercise by the u s., of jurisdiction over the roads with
i'm the States through which il might mass though he
conceived that those who i'm with him. entertain
ed such opinions, could not but acknowledge that by
the compact between the u States and the States of Ala
bama and Mississippi, Congress authorised TO ap
popriate money for the construction of such road"
We may not yet understand his argument-certainly
do not yet ieelits forcc-and fear that upon the
principles which Gen. Smyth has assumed. il NAV be
proved by logic ingenious and subtle as his that il
is in vain to attempt to any limits the jurisdiction
of the u. Sta 'over the roads within the States"
| As far back as March 1876, Mr.. Jefferson foresaw
the danger of all subtle and fancful distinctions
upon this subject "Have you Says he, Sd VOL p 32I
considered all the consequences of your proposition re-
speeding pOst-roads? view il a source of bound
less patronage the Executive iobbng to members
Congress and ter friends and bottomless abyss of pub
lie money &c Does the power TO establish post roads
given you by the Constitution mean that YOU shall make
the roads, only select from those already made those
on which there shall be post? If the term be equvo
cal, (ond Treaty. do not think it sO which is the SAT-
est construction? sc.
We shel publish the whole of the passage and other
| extracts touching the Constitution we have
room to show what that Statesman thought at all times
OF the limited powers of the Federal Government
But we will not despair OF the Republic Should the
hill pass the II OF r., the friends of Strict consiruc.
ton OF Constitution, must look TO the Senate. Fail
ing there, they viii not even then despar-They have
read the Presidents Message they hone ms ead
of signing the bill, he will recommend TO Congress TO
settle the disputed question by referring il to the
great contracting parties. And they might respect
fully present him with the following memorable
from the address of the venerable Geo. Clinton,
when he from the chair OF the Senate of the u States
gave the casting voice against the renewal of the first
bank charter "ln the course of lopg life, have
found that is be by the
assumption of doubtful powers but a tUse and eney-
geiic execution OF those which icontestGbe; the
former never fails TO produce suspicion and di.fust
whilst the latter inspires respect and confidence IT,
however fair experience, the powers Uested in the
government shall be J0und Incompetent TO the attain
ment OF the objects for which it instituted, the
constitution happily furnishes the means for remedy
ing the euiI by amendment" We repeat, over and
again. that this maxim deserves be written in
letters OF gold upon the wall Of the capitol Of Washing.
ton.