Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1832-08-24


given 20 the federal government the expense OF the
States and the People. They commenced in the Conven
ton of 1884, and spread through the great body OF
the people upon the question of atcao The proceed
ngs OF that Convention for long time secret, but
are now before the public In them when taken III con-
nexion with later events, read the grounds OF sub
sequen political discussions in language plain, that
none those who wully blind can be deceived
There Of course, different degrees individuals
but the leading division in the Convention was between
those who dusu of the States sought TO abridge their
powers that those the government might thereby
be enlarged and those who, their part, distrusf,
perhaps Jealous of the government about 10 be created
and full confidence i'm those of the States were
as strenuous TO retana powers not ndspensaby
sary enable the federal government discharge the
specified and limited duties to be imposed upon it, The
contest animated, and, is well known, than
threatened dissolution of the Convention without
agreeing upon any thing. Necessity, however, ultimate
well practicable The then friends OF State Rights,
(hc true JederGists, but who, by singular mis-
homer were immediately after called Gnti:federoISts,
whilst those who had throughout opposed the federal
principle, assumed the then more popular of e-
deralists,) succeeded, thought they succeeded, in
saving much Of what they had so earnestly contcnded
for. The advocates of what was in the language of
the day called strong General Government, GER
anly aed in obtaining by express grant, necessary
implication, much of what they had long and so ably
struggled TO acquire for the government The ques-
ton OF ratification and was full of difficulty The
abuses TO which of the general provisions ofthe
Constitution might be exposed, pointed out by its OPP
ponents. The concealed powers OF the Constitution which
discaned and condemned by those who the ra
uhcation. No candid and we-nformed man will, for
moment, pretend that if the powers claimed for this
government had been avowed at the time had not
been expressly disclaimed, there would have been the
slightest chance for the adoption Of the Constitution by the
requisite number OF the old thirteen States.
But IL tcds ratified, said Mr.. " b., and from the
moment Of its adoption to the present day, the spirit he
had described had been al cork to obtain by eostruc
ton tChdf tcds not included intended to be included
IN The grant Ii lar from his intention urge this as
reproach against tho in those scenes. He was
persuaded that the motives OF many, if of ALL were
pure, and patriotic They believed that the State
governments were not safe repositories of power that the
States would be able TO CONTROL and would inuousy con-
troll the Federal Government unless il had power
than the Convention of 1857 willing grant. They
thought, and of them with that ngenuo1sness off
ing which distinguished his noble nature, avowed official
y that the true question not what the trainers of the
constitution intended what those by whom was ra-
fed understood what the correct construction of
the terms in which il expressed. This great man
knew well that the power then claimed for the govern
mcnt could be sustained on no other grounds and he
was always above disguise.
/ am not, said Mr. V. b. condemnng their motives
but controverng their opinions The test that then
applied TO the Constitution has been adudged erroneous
ana UNJUST by the judges IN the last resort-fhe people
Themselves The belief mo doubt honestly entertained bv
many that i application necessary to the success Of
the scheme and to the welfare of the country found
ed in impressions the character the State govern
ments which experience has demonstrated have been
uniounded Many OF the most distinguished of those
who then entertained those opinions have since abandon
ed them, convinced by the results of that experiment
which has since been made Fifty years experience of
the operation of the State Governments has made sasr
ance doubly sure, that they richly the confidence
which the people have ever been inclined to bestow
them Under the broad shield of State laws, private
rights have been protected, while public prosperity was
promoted In the darkest hours of war, when the
general government was disheartened and enfeebed
oy 1ebt ana disaster It's unnerved arm strength
encd and the national honor rescued by the authority the
patriotism and the credit OF tho States In peace they
have not only fulfilled wisely and justly all the great pur-
poses OF selfgovernment, but several of them
tablshed noble systems OF public instruction, have
complished or are now accomplishing great works of in
ernal improvement, far surprising magnitude and
utility any similar works of the general government as
as they do in wisdom OF plan and economy and udg-
ment IN execution n general surrender of such opi-
mons rs, therefore,, at this time, tribute Justly due to
the redeemed and established character Of The Sote no
UeTUmcntS But they not dered-on the con-
trary they have become and extravaganza I'M
I'll those under whose protection they are, claim for
this government powers which express terms re
| school.
Mr. V. b. said, he would not feel himself at liberty 10
detan the Senate by following the of the govern
ment in its whole extent and through all its sinuosites TO
establish his POSITIONS but he could avoid doing so in
part he SUBJECT was one OF deep interest, of which
behooved the American people be fully informed but
which it was to be eoredi frequently spoken of than
understood The of our citizens are so much on
crossed in the affairs of their State governments that this
great matter is in no inconsderabe degree neglected.
! During the administration of General Washington No
acts of strong character took place, ncorpora-
ton of the Bank of the United States that great uoneer
OF constitutional Entertainments together with the prnci-
pies avowed in relation to the treaty making power The
attachment of General Washington 10 the Constitutions
his consciousness of the difficulties which had attend
ed its establishment, and the natural moderation of
ms character, coming IN aid oil the firm countcnance
maintained by the anfederalsts of that day. kept the
spirit OF enCrOachment and
that, compared with IFS present character were reasona
BILE. Butn the administration succeeding that Of General
Washington, continuing through the years 1897 9S 90
it displayed itself true and most odious character
Its fruits bitter, and well remembe red that
any thing like minute description of them would be an
act OF supererogation. Ii then that the monarchca
and arsOcratca character of the spirit he had
was displayed in unceasng efforts from the States
the powers that justly belong them exercise such
/ as had never been conferred and to concentrate as
Tar as practicable all authority in the hands of the Pres
dent.
Among the usurpatons Of that day the alien and sedon
laws stand in bold relief only as furnishing landmarks
OF the extent TO which the presumption and arrogance of
power dared to CO. but also of their agency i'm
driving from public confidence those by whom thew were
adoptedS The inclination draw the powers of the eo.
vernment to one common focus has been otherwise exe-
ped in various ways, and different periods of our his
tory Time would only allow brief notice of one or two
! Of them.
The doctrine announced in the discussions on the British
treaty; that the House Of Representatives were bound 10
make all appropriations necessary carry into efec the
spuatons OF treaty made by the President and Senate
was striking exempifaion of this truth. The extent 10
which tins doctrine increases the Executive power lin its
most enlarged sense) the funds the nation cannot
iai to strike the mind at the first blush He did not wish
to be understood as saying innuang that all who adj
vocated that opinion, influenced by the spirit of bich
he had spoken lie did not believe that such was the
case On the contrary, he we'll satisfied that there
were those Oh that OCCASION well on that of the i'm.
corporation OF the Bank Of the United States land espe-
caly him who at the head Of anarsO who were sin.
cere friends TO the State governments but were led away
by the pressure of the times and gave their assent to ea
sures which, under suspicious circumstances they
could not have approved. The principle then ayoyed
was resisted by the republicans of that day. on the simple