Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1831-11-29
Richmond, Va. Tuesday, Nov. 90

u WE have this day the satisfaction of present
ing the Enquirer in new dress. We have spared
no pains, no expcncc, in renovatng its appearance
butwith oil our cxortons have not yet been able
to complete our arrangements. 1t will take. more
over few days to make every thing ,eork ,eeu to-
gether like now coat, which docs not always lool,
the BEST until 1t has become accommodated TO the
wearcrs shape. In the course of two weeks, how
ever, we trust that every thing will right-and
that Inc Enquirer will assume an appearance, which
is worthy of its friends, and of itself
It's unnecessary to put forth again the Shibboleth
OF our Political Faith.-The Enquirer will support
with undiminishcd zeal the good old Principles of
tho kepubhcan Party. The People of the States
are tse source of power-Thc People Of the States,
as States the source of the powers of the Fcdc
raj Government. They have communicated no
power to the machine, which is not specified in the
Constitution itscf-As we have said before, "Whcn
we look to the original form of the government we
are struck with its novelty and beauty 1t presents
to us ono of the grondest experiments that ever was
made in political science. We sec in it an attempt
to ascertain, how far power could be so distributed
between two governments to prevent ercessirc
concentration and consequent abuse of it in one set
of hands; at the time, that so much pocer was
conveyed to each, rs to enable them to accomplish
the objects to which each of them was best adaDted
Tho Federal Government to watch over our To-
reign rclaons that of the States was particularly
to take care of our internal concerns The front
secret was to have these functions SO wisely rer,,
lated, as to prevent the General Government from,
rushing into consolidation and the States into dis
solution Of tho Union. The first extreme would in
faiiby conduct us to great oppression, and probably
10 monarchy: the last would subject TO insults and
injuries from abroad, to contentious and bloodshcd
Mt homo. To avoid these extremes, VIC should nc
Vcr have lost sight of the true spirit of the Federal
CONSTITUTION To interpret it wisely we should have
rgioiy adhered to the principle laid down by GEORGE
Chnton;-" In the course of long life, 1 have
" found that government is not to be strengthened
" by the assumption of doubtful powers, but ,oise
" and energetic execution Of those which are incon
fesfaole the former never fails produce suspicion
and distrus, whilst the latter inspires respect and
confidence. If however, on fair experience, the
powers vested in the government shall be found in
competent to the attainment of the objects for
winch 1t was instituted, the Constitution happily
furnishes the means for remcdying The euil by amend
" m,em."-This maxim deserves to be writer, IN
letters of gold upon the walls of the Capitol in Wash
ington."
1t is true, that our government has too often for
COTTON the principles of its founders Our fellow
citizens have suffered the Constitution to be violated
with impunity We have seen the taxing power
abused for the benefit of one section and to the OBJ
preston of another.-We have seen the Federal
Government ntruding ITSELF like the frogs of Egypt
into our private concerns and internal police into
our houses, and among our people, into our very
ovens, and into our lsneading- Notwithstanding
the disposition of our abour and our capital; pre-
scribing TO us what manufactures we shall raise
what clothes we shall wcar-and converting one
portion of the people, as it Were, into the hcwcrs of
wood and drawers Of water for another portion
But the evil has not stopt here. The Federal Go
vernmcnt has burnt its candle at both ends. The
power to raise money has been niquitously stretched
beyond the purposes for which il was givcn-and the
power TO appropriate the money has been extended to
objects, which were not originally contemplated
To assist in putting end these multiplied abus
os we have applied the humble abilities, and the lit
tie experience, which have fallen TO our share We
shall not tire in the pursuit. We have never yet
despaircd of the Republic. A great era is at hand.
The public debt is about to be exnguished The
voice of the people demands diminuton of their
burthcns Now is the time when il becomes every
friend of the Union and of State Rights to bestir
himself, to bring back the Federal Government to its
fundamental principles-to distribute as equally as
possible, the burthens and the blessings of the Con-
sitution-to strengthen the Union by the sense of
common rights and exact juscc-and to realize the
sublime theory of limited government, and of
free People
And when we look to our State concerns the spec
taclc is equally imposing. The situation of little less
than one half of population calls loudly for at
tenton, for further police, and for the best remedies in
ourpower-Thcre is another great subject. The
spirit OF the country is awakencd and we are now to
decide upon such system of Internal Improve
ment as may be found best adapted to our wants
and to our resources
In all these questions, hope the Enquirer will
do its duty.
Gy Aswe shall print three times during the session of the
Legislature, and shall take pains TO lay full account
oil their Proceedings before the Public, ii may afford
convenience TO the several Editors in Virginia receive
ms paper We will freely exchange with all such,
may desire il.
MIR. CLAWS COURSE.
Mr.. Clay's change of position upon the chess
board has excited no little interest and speculation
What is he about to do? Why has he exchanged his
retirement for public lifo-hs fields and his fences
Tor the glare and the contests Of the Senate Cham
ber?-Does he by this change Of position abandon
the presidential canvassor is he going Washing
tom to profit better by the chapter of accidents TO
win new friends and to organize his old adhercnts;
TO arrange his plans for the campaign of 80 or of