Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1831-11-14
1ne lrne Leftrsonian Doeirine


We have AS mueh respect for The opinions of
great men ms they deserve. We should feel an
utter contempt. however FOR our own imhecl,ty Of
intellect, or want OF independence, If We were to
set up env mans opinion as a standard OF ruth,
aud dared not investigate for ourselves, aud
dissent from that onolpn ii we believed il 10
be erroneous Whenever, therefore. Mr. JeIier.
sons opinlons with regard 10 the principles OF
the federal constitution have been gwen 10 the
world, as conensively settling aoy question,
beyond the light of appeal. we have chosen to
examiue for ourselves whether those opinions
be consonant With the rue theory ofou mst
lutions, and TO The existence Of all governments
aud also wnelher they be in accordance with
the views expressed at the time of lis adoption,
aud since, by the trainers aud colemporaneous
expounders of that compact. if 1t be So,
we cordially embrace il. II il be not. we as
cordially renounce il. For, whatever defer
enee may he due to Mr.. Jefferson, opinions. as
one of the wses, anu most gifted OF mortals,
we do 10 tina, of the Pope of Rome ifthose who
are ende,voring 10 propagate revolutionary aud
disorganzing principles. under the cover oil
his name, and under the anfhorily of his dis.
| tor,ed sentiments. have more creduty than
ourselves. we may pity their delusion. hut we
eau certainly havo no respect for then
strength or independence OF mind. Such men
were born the wrong side of the Atlantic,
and at least century and hall too late
1t is but fair however, that they should take the
whol, OF Mr.. Jefferson's opinion for their guide i,
| il they siopi aug, AZ bring nnquahediy true.
And il there be al apparent Inconsistency in
them il is the par; of prudence and wisdom
10 adopt that construction Of them which seems
10 be warranted no less by common sense than
by the good OF the country. II, therefore, h.
has at any time expressed an opinion, hostile
which recognizes the cnnst,tut,onaity CT pro
tectns duties, we beg his admirers, (among
| whom. by the way, va clsss ourselves) 10 con
| ceal H. in charity TO his memory. Such an ev.
cence Of his frsily ADD liability TO error, like his
ttlloa-m,ttsis, mi GIN destroy the potency OF IN,
name when ii is invoked to support another
heresy .engendered 10 the hrait-sick musings of
disappointed poIilicans, but which the sage oil
Monticello would have secuted with the con
tenn, which i, has received from his venerable
compstrot Of Montpelier, had IT assumed "
locsl hsb;tst,on and nawe" during his life
tine Buf, we deny that MIR. Jefferson ever
did. by word or deed, written, spoken or acted,
deny or question. or intimate doubt oil the
constitutional power Of Congres To protect manu-
faciores. On tha contrary. he mas affirmed that
mower. in as clear, unequivocal aud enpbaiic
terms as he ever employed TO declare any sen
timent which he entertained. II this be
doubted, we reIer to the following extract from
one Of his Reports, when he was Secretary oil
State in 1898. relative 10 commercial restric-
tions and protecting duties
"Whpre nation imposes high duties on our
nro1uerions. or prohibits them aitoe ether, II
mav he proppr for us 10 do The same by theirs
frs, b,lrtheui,g or excluding those productions
Vhich they bring htie M comPe'"so" "t" ""
owu of the same kind selecting neE' snch man
ufac,nres as ,Oe take from them M greatest guam.
TN. and tUhich al The same lime zoe eoHid The
soonest furnish 10 ourselves, or obtain rom 9th
err countr,e. IMPOSING on them duties. lighter
at first, but heauicr aud heavier afterwards, as
other channels of supply open. Such duties m
ytng the 2 feet OF indirect encouragement 10 40
nesiic manufactures of the same KIND, may m
duce the manufacturer 10 come himself into
these States, where cheaper subsistence, eq""'
laws. and a vent Of his wares, free OF duty,
may ensure him the highest profits hom his
skill and industry.
So far as Mr.. Jenerson's opinion goes,
then the general goyernm al does posssss the
nower Of protecting manufacturer, even
hy "erciuding' the manufactures al other
cations. lit does not, ii possesses 10 power |
a, ali. and is body without. q soul