Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1833-01-31

upon what terms (, was adopted "l should understand
consolidated TO DO that which should have the
sole and exclusive power, legislative, executive and judi
cia, without any limitation Is this such governnien
Or il be changed TO such one Ii only extends to
the general purposes OF the Union. 1t does informed
die with the local particular affairs Of the States. Can
Congress lcgislac for the State OF Virginia. Can they
make law altering the form of transferring property,
the rule of dcscents in Virginia. In word, they
make single law for the individual, exclusive purpose
any State!'
Mr. Lee of Westmoreland said, " This expression We
the People) introduced into that paper with great
proprety this system submitted to the people for their
consideration because them il is ooperate ii adopted
Ii is not binding the people until il becomes their act
The glowing and eloquent speeches Of Edmund Ran
dolph deserve be carefully read at this time, by those
who set too light value on orr Union He pointed out
the necessity for, and the blessings OF Union lie attempt
cd prove the superior advantages OF national
federal government in the then situation OF the country
but a restricted and limited government
But the explanation Of Mr.. Madison this point, is
the explicit, and certainly the lie is said
to have been the craftsman OF the constitution He was
certainly its abes eXpounder in the State Convention,
and in the trying times OF 80 What he says worthy OF
profound regard, well for the truth and force it carries
with it, as Tor the distinguished abilities and virtues oil the
man. He says:
''The principal question is whether it be federal or
consolidated government In order to judge properly
of the question before us, consider it infinitely in
Its principal parts. conceive, myself that il is OF mix.
cd nature it is in manner unprecedented; cannot
mud one express example in the history of the world IL
stands by itself In respects it is government of
federal nature i'm others il is of consolidated nature
Even if we attend to the manner in which the consitu-
ton Investigated ratified and made the act IF the peO-
pie If .dnericd, say, notwithstanding what the no.
norabe gentleman has alleged that this government is
not completely consolidated is il entirely federal.
Who parties to il : The Peopie-bu the people
composing great body-but the people Is compo-
sing thirteen sovcregntes Were it, as that gentleman
serts consolidated government, the of majority
the people would be sufficient for its establishments and,
the majority have adopted already the remaining
would be bound by the of the majority even they
unanimously reprobaed it: it such government as
II is suggested, il would be binding on the people of
this State without having had the privilege deiberaug
upon IL. But State by IT, as is without
Its consent Should all the States aIopt IT, il will be
then government established by the thirteen States of
America not through the Intervention of the egislatneS
but by the people at large In this particular respect the
distinction between the existing and proposed govern
nents is very material The existing system (confedera-
tom has been derived om dependent dervatve au-
thonty OF the Legislatures OF the States whereas this
derived from the superior power OF the people. II we
look at the manner in which alterations be made
It, the same idea, is in degree, attended BY
the new system majority OF the States cannot intro
duce amendments all the States required
purpose; three fourt of them must concur in amend
this there is departure from the federal idea
The members 10 the national House of Representatives
are TO be chosen by the people large proportion TO
the numbers in the respective districts When come
TO the Senate its members elected by the States
their equal aud political capacity But had the govern
ment been completely consolidated the Senate would have
been chosen by the people in their individual capacity in
Ine same manner as the members OF tho other House.
Thus it is of a complicated nature, this complication
trust, will be found TO exclude the evils of absolute
solidaiion, well of coniedcracy Ii Virginia
were sepaated from all the States her power and auho-
rity would extend TO all In like manner were all
the vested in the general government would be
consolidated government But the powers of the fede
raj government are enumerGed it only operate i'm
certain cases: it has legislative powers defined and
iniited Objects beyond which, it intend us
dictOn"
appeal to all candid and n,eliren, men 10 compare
the PresIdenrs views Of the and character OF the
government, with those expressed by tie great men who
established it, For certain purposes not the United
States nation? Is the Government OF The Union
independent, sovereign and supreme far the spec
ed powers delegated TO it extend? The Constitution has
been solemniy ratified by all the States binding
upon them by the strongest human ons il declares
that this Constitution and the laws OF the United States
inaue IN pursuance thereof and all treaties made which
sha be made under tue authority OF he u. States shall
DE the supreme law OF the land and the judges every
State shall he bound thereby any thing i'm the Consiiu
ton or laws OF any State the contrary
"Ihe Senators and Representatives before mentioned and
the members OF the several State Legislatures and all
executive and ju cia officers both the United States
and OF the several States shall bound by oath or af
nation, to support this Constitution"
YET the Government is not complete, perfect Govern
Inent; "nor II completely cOnso da;ed So how
ever, TO limited ertent, Mir Madiou has clearly
shown. Nor the State governments complete and
dPendent soUeFetgnteS for they have parted with every
attribute oil sovereignty far relation TO foreign
nations is concerned and regards certain inter
MAJ concerns Both governments possess concurrent urs
ncuoh over certain subjects OF taxation and the Nil
Hua' under particular circumstances The advocates
oil Stdfe Rights" Tor the rigid Observance of the line
OF demarca'ion between The powers OF the General and
State Governments Tor the maintenance Of Inc
ana powers OF each in their full constitutional vgor
They have always protested against The exercise of now
erby Congress, derived from aud implication
III we look TO the Presidents late message we find tina
he gives very nearly The construction OF the Constitution
contended Tor by Virginia. Take that document i'm con
junction with his Proclamation, and give both lust in
depreciation, dvested of all personal party feeling and
It'll left to impartial and plro,ic men TO saw whether mr.
not he deserves the that have been cveled at
him. ~
to another number what have further say on this in
terestng subject. caro-