Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1831-04-16


friends Of popular rghts Tbs people seem determined
o bring heir ruisrs TO a soemn secouat Absolute
monarchy NAV be considered having nearly finished
its career Ii the people Of The old world shall not be-
come Tree, In the republican Of the term the
viii at lie ast Limit the powers Of their governors and
in good degree, secure their own personal privileges
what can be more gratifying to citizen Of our
puonc than The reflection thai 10 the moral Offence
OF his own government, may Il movements, in some
measure be att ibuted. The impulse given by tbs
uccessu establishment of popular rights 10 this
ty ana Q co1sunmaton, so much to be desired, m ay
be looked for with confidence, il we shall be tue 10
ourselves and to the pr ncples which lie a, the
founda ion oil our government
Whether lock 10 the hsppiness and prosperity of
our own, or TO the political reg snerson Of oher ccuo-
tries we see the inn orancs OF preserving cur nstiu.
tons In all their purity and yigour. II shall fail
In this mighty experiment, the cause of liberty must
perish perhaps forever.
The iundamsn al law OF our union formed in a
spirit OF compromise; ard 10 his Ia are we indebted
Tor our na'ioaa prosperity Without it, we should have
constituted SIN ali republics, having little or no chara :.
ter at home, or respect in The estimation Ct foreign
ATOMS
united us; bu, after the close OF that struggle local in
t-ress gave al to visions viii, must have bioke
up The confederacy, and eventually dssroyed the re-
pcblics which composed It, This fatal result was pre-
vented by the happy union that f,rmed. The ted
eral constitution, which Is the basis of this union,
should be viewed as the rock of political
We can rest national happiness and glory on no
other foundation.
With what venerston should the principles of this
constitution be cherished; and how strictly should
they be guarded agains, entertainments.
10 country so extensive ours, and diversified
by climate, soil and production. different views Of
'iona policy must be expected to arise from local
SEES but these views may be fully presented hroug
The representatives OF the people, and receive dus
sideration.
The measures Of the government should always be
Influenced, by those high and patriotic motives, " hcb
led TO the formation OF the constitution. No par,cu
lar interest sholld be advanced, to the desr ion OF
other Interests; but an exac, equality of benefit or
responsibility cannot be expected from lea save
ac'menls This cannot be attained, even within the
limits OF ale. No public improvement can be
made by State, which shall be equally advantag Gus
to all its citizens From their local position or some
other cause part OF them will derive greater bene.
TITS from the work, Than o'hers-The sama in quality
may result from other lave Of general nature, which
| are required by ths public interest.
To limit the boundaries OF legislation to laws which
shall affect, in the same degree, the interests Of all
parts oil the community, would destroy the legsla i've
power, bo'h in the General and State Governments.
There can be restriction to the cons iiutional
powers Of the National Legislature but that which IL
imposed by Heightened discretion exercised on a
full view of the interests of all the Safes The cer
receive against law, which is generally or partially
oppressive ill be found, in acts OF violence, but
in the force Of public sentiment expressed by remon
STRANGE, and in the exercise of the rights of suffrage
ln conclusion, permit me to say, that circumstances
connected with my official relation TO the county,
would seem to require that should forego the great
pleasure which an acceptance OF your invitation would
| afford me. Whilst yielding 10 this impression, suffer
me again to oer my cordial thanks for your kind
ness, and to ob,erve that sh,l cher reco.lec ion
OF your favorable opiton, with qualification which
can only be limited by conviction, tha, you place
high an estimate on my public services and personal
merits.
My claims 70 consideration rest al1ne since g
aud constant endeavor TO discharge the trusts committed
to me, with exclusive reference to The public injsr-
ests. /, would ember my recolle con of the past,
if in the exercise of my discretion, bad done njus.
tice 10 ary one, or had wulIy omit. I'd TO do what my
duty TO the publ C eniontd
With the highes, regard, l am very sincerely your
obedient servant, JOHN MCLEAN.
To Messrs Jacob Souder d., George w. Rite T,
Philip Peltz, Samuel Patcn, James NJ. Lnnard, Com .
n itee.