Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-09-20
ALEXANDRIA, I'd, Co.
THURSDAY MORNING. SEPT 20. 1882.


Pewers Of the Federal Government. -oppos.
ed as we are to NulIifcation, in all Its forms anu
shapes, and convinced that there 's much more
real danger to our liberties and union to be APP
pretended from the interested views OF the d'''
ferept Statess than from the action OF the uene'
raj Government, we are yet far from being tai''
t,.l;narian in our construction Of the Constitu'
ton. We believe, that. in the end, TOO loose
construction Of its provisions will be ATTENDED,
with as many difficulties as, we are sure' Will ac'
company all attempts to administer the Govern
ment under the narrow. contracted views w"'e"
are held by some of its Southern exPound-
ers. In this, as in all things else, there is hap
ny medium. which being pursued, both the Scyl'
Ia of Consolidation, and the Charybdis OF Disu'
MON, may be avoided. These remarks are not
out of place in an article designed to call atten.
ton to the power of the Government in general,
and especially as it is exercised in our foreign
relations. Whenever the Federal arm is extend
ed to the States, we zee their ever watchfuI jea.
lousy excited, and the most untiring vigilance
used, as long as there is thought to be the least
occasion for alarm. They "cavl on the ninth
part of hair" when they are interested in
question Of power with the General Government;
and never is there an occasion Of this kind pre-.
sented that we do not hear invectives against the
..hish-handed power" contcnded for by those
who happen to hold the executive offices. We
should be glad if these eloquent DISCLAIMERS
would extend their range of observation beyond
their own sovereignties. and instead Of fighting
with shadows, or masnifying, in the true Don
Quixotte style, windmils into giants. set heart.
ly to work in arresting the real evils which are
flowing from the very liberal and extraordinary
use made Of the federal power, in our inter-
course with foreign nations. and with matters
and thing, which DO not concern the States. As
the ~ world now wags," it appears to US, that
we are fast losing sight Of all our good old con.
stitutionaI ways Our dealings with other ma
tons used to be characterized by that dignity,
decorum, and sense Of justice and honor, which
became great Republic. Ifan injury was COM
mitted, it was inquired into, and satisfaction
first sought for peaceaby, but earnestly. There
was no parade, buster or bullying. Every thing
was done "decently and in order" 1t is not so
now; and We have this part of our subject
sketched to our hand by the New York Jour
nal of Commerce. That paper remarks, that
our " Government has very summary way Of
DUNG ou siness' sc a Gnuornnr at the Falkland
Islands seiZes three or four of our sealing yes.
sells, ship Of war goes and seiZes him; or if he
happens to be missing, contents itself with carry.
ing off the principal men Of the colony and spi.
king the guns destined for its defence. If the
Quallah Battoo-ans, on the coast Of Sumatra,
plumber an American boat loaded with pepper,
and murder the crew, ship of war goes and burns
their town, captures their forts. and kills one
hundred and fifty of their inhabitants. If q
Mexican government vessel plays the pirate with
one of our merchantmen, a ship Of war goes and
seizes the said government vessel, puts her crew
in irons, and sends her to the United States as a
lawful prize"
There comes very natural reflection upon
the heel Of this, aud it is we'll added" 1t has SO
happened. hitherto, that this summary method
has been applied only to nations which cannot
measure swords with US. But it may come to
pass, in process of time, that some vessel bear.
ing our flag will receive indigntles from Bri.
fish or French cruiser, or the Governor OF Bri-
fish or French colony"
In such case, we presume, there would be
some little difference, and we should not be will
ling to exercise our power with so little ceremo.
nv, and without the forms usual in all organized
nations. 1t may be in the recollection Of ous
readers, that il was boastingy remarked, not long
since, that the Neapolitsps would think more Of
our claims upon their government it they were
reminded Of them by :. the thunders of our can.
non''--and another sage politician spoke some.
what in favor Of bombardng lisbon, for the pur.
pose Of hurrying Miguel into payment which he
had already promised to make the " first conve.
nient season." We confess, we do not like such
indications Of public feeling, come from what
Al. IL ILL., E,rn sc