Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1831-07-19
FOR THE ENQUIRER.
THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION OLE 1900

inc FTSsluent having, IN answer TO communication
addressed 10 him directly upon that subject, indicated
his Willingness another term il his fellow ci-
zens Cesire II, may be- and is regarded as candidate
Tor reelection He is opposed, far present APP
pearances Indicate, by Henry Clay of Kentucky, OF
the Coalition party" of 1925 and the issue between
them IS fairly made up, and the people are TO try it.
The government OF the United States is Govern
meht oil UNITED powers, and it should be q prinaTu
principle in its administration, that the charter of
eTs SHOULD not, upon any occasion be exceeded
cause whet once exceeded, il is difficult to arrest the
progress oil u'urpatiOn. The act becomes precedent
10 Justify other cXcesses until violation upon an
other renders that which was intended as a check en-
trey poweriess, and destroys all or egard
LOT e instrument The very fact that the departments
oil the Government were not LETT 10 define their own
powers: and exercise them at discretion, or as the
genera oeyere might momenta'tly seem 10 require, is
PROOF conclusive oil the truth OF this proposition So
strong the truth of this proposition and the necess
ty oil such course OF adm nstraion impressed upon
my mind' That view win disirust every Statesman
who advises or cOuntenances the exercise of doubtful
powers, however clear the benefit TO the community re-
sung from IT; because the rule of construction
wh,ch would authorize such exercise of power in
such case, might be rcsored 10 argument TO us-
~ me exercise OF power detrimental in its results
authority Tor the exercise OF any power and all DOW
shouId De derived rom the plain and Ineligible re,d
ing oil the constitution, or not exercised at ALL This il
he doctrine OF Madisons celebrated resolutions of 9S-
w and TO them, as traugh with the soundest political
doctrines would refer the attention OF every man who
Is 10 record ms vote lis the approaching election.
III DO not greatly misunderstood the many resolu-
lions OF The General Assembly, the continued and
unhom expression oil pubic sentiment in Virginia, its
doctrine Is literal construction Of the COnstttn-
ton: and deciding between General Jackson and Mr.
Clay, the question with the people of Virginia Isl:
Which Of these candidates between whom their choice
IS likely {" be limed,in their political opinions approach
neares' tr this their standard of construction? When
this question is decided, there can be no doubt upon
whom their choice will fall, unless, indeed there be
something attached 10 his character or policy which
would justify departure from the important Irin-
cpe in our political system and the support OF the
ton OF the candidate, whose political opnions are d
In their
The principles of both candidates fairly before the
people: General Jackson's, as developed in his own
administration, and Mr. Clay's in that of Mir Adamss
OF whose Cabinet he was a Member-Mr Clay is an
advocate oil the power OF the Federal Government to
construct roads an canals Gd H6ifum in any OF the
States. This power General jackson denies and sus-
tains his objections most ably in his veto Message
Mr. Clay asserts for the Federal Government the pow
er TO charter Banks for purposes OF disco MT and an
advocate Tor the renewal OF the charter of the present
Bank, which is acquiring dangerous and overwhelm
ing influence, that is constantly increasing, and will
continue TO increase until finally il will become I'M
manageable and uncomfortable Unless checked by re-
usal To continue its charter. General Jackson is il not
upon constitutional grounds, upon the score of exped-
ency opposed 10 the renewal oil the "are OF the Bank
but Tor steering this Sampson o lis englh before
IL becomes strong enough TO pull down the strong pill
lars oil the Government, and subdue the virtue aud IL
berry OF the naon.-hIT Clay is an adyocae for the
present odious, oppressive and UNEQUAL tariff the eff
ec oil which is deeply felt TO the South, and which
threatens the integrity OF the Union itself General
jackson advocates modification 10 extent which
"ouu TeeVe lhOse upon whom II is most oppressive,
aud yet place upon fair foo ing of competition the
only Legitimate objects of protection.
With these striking distinctions in the constitutions
al opinions and policy OF the two men, the disc-
pies oil the old republican doctrines hesitate between
them Ii the doctrines of the old Republicans be
sound land have hesitation in SAYING tley are the
only safe doctrines upon which the Government can
DC spHy ddmin'SteTedD MIR. Clay holds political prin-
cipes as lar beyond the Constitution, even Il alien
and sedluon laws were for which the elder Adams vas
driven from power by the reemen OF those pure DAYS
oil me republic a!lude 10 his internal improvement
and Bank opinions and here let il be remarked that
1iT clay himself ia 1911, tchiie member Of H.
ScnGte Of the United States, ~ a speech of gJeot
d6ihty opposed the rene,Oai Of The charter of The
efd Bank, Altering constitutional arguments tchich
ne himself ,oh IS increased erperie,lce and dbiify
cannot ooe'fWH He has, however, changed and now
claims power for the government which lac then de-
MED
II this sketch be correct. General Jarkson,s oninon.
approach nearer the standard Of Virginia orthodoxy than
Mr. CIays aud unless there be something i'm his charac
ter or in the policy Of his administration, stronger than
principle, which would jusiy an abandonment of n
then the people hesitate i'm their preference o
hm.s there any hing in the rolicy of his admins
!raon either foreign or domestic Objectionable or at
least so strongly So as TO require his expulsion from the
presidency ] think not but, on the contrary, his
policy is wise and udicious.
In relation 10 foreign intercourse tho Govern.
ment has been represented al foreign courts by able
and discreet men-men who, from their ability intelli.
gence aid integrity, have done honour TO them
selves and 10 the country Our relations with foreign
powers, are OF the most peaceable and amiceble
character. Our commerce has been extended bevonJ
apy limits heretofore knoen to H. Too unsettled
cslms OF our czsns for epolstons upon our Commerce
pressed With The. Unsemi,ing ardor and peTsevs.
rance, nnd 10 most cases With success ard he ditee
'rade With tho Was Indies regsined, which had beer
los by MIR Adams' Admnisfa lon, who employed the
diplomats Of Mr.. Clay 10 eesn it, bui could not
succeed Blu, ths Oppo ion urge. tina al housh thes.
things are so, al jackson hiss recalled SONS two
OF ihrse minister, tom iOrsisn oourH--1nT0bls die.
fu aud nsi the DIR de {, he Wod Indies u OF nc