Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1833-12-03

indebted Tor this discretion Of our abroad
TO the wise policy OF the farther his country which has
since been steadily pursued by oil his ,uccessor.
10 preserve the sictest neuira y in the between
oheer naons.nsver 10 interfere in their dome. con-
ce'ne, nor suffer them TO interfere in ourso leave each
people TO establish and maintain such gov. rnmens as
they think proper-to ackno Wedge all established govern
ments;-ihese are The deep foundations which To-
reign pocy has res ed; and our history las established
It's wisdom.
am not one of those who believe in dsnteresied
friendship between nations Interest il more or less al
the fouudson Of all their attachments he interests OF
Russia "nd the u. Sta'es into collision.
Our commercial relations have therefore ever been of
the most smiabie character and equally
both parties These circumstances have given birth
kindly feelings on their part which have become ha
b!tuah We nil remember that a short time after the
declaration Of the late with Eng land, the Emperor
AIexande offered hxiselt mediator. IL then be-
evcd that we could not, singlehsnded, sustain equal
cohe't WIN the most powerful nation in the world. IL
coui then have at ia that
we should come Out OF the war with glory, and that the
valor o; our sons both the land and the would
acquire us character among the nations such
yer had enjoyed before IL was in the hour when
prospects the gloomy that the Emperor Alex
ander exposed Since that time the friendship the Rus
sian govci nnen has been invaabe. The present Empe-
ror has inheri ed from his brother feelings OF Kindness
wards us as naon and they have been than
displayed III his conduct upon Important occasions The
American Vice Consul Cronsadt related TO me an
anecdoe SO strongly illustrative OF the indulgence with
wnen our eountrymen are eaded in Russia, that shall
take the liberty OF repeating it, Cronsrat the port
ST. Petersbugh, and there the Notifications exist by
which the capital oil the Empire must be defended. 1t is
therefore town under The sirctest military government
Yet our sailors permitted the 4th of July, go
ashore in body display the and the stripes
country TO march through the streets with drums beating
aud flies playing, and 10 raise the national shout on the
anniversary OF the day when we became free and indie
pendentpeople.
But is in Russia alone, that the character of our
country is highly appreciated. The espec, Tor
Is entertained everywhere. We can, we never
ought TO be, indifferent TO the rank which We occupy in
the society OF nations Never there sounder max
i'm OF policy nor purer principle OF justice than that
nounced 10 the world by present Chief Mags,rate
ask nothing but what is clearly right and submit TO no
thiAg wrong. Acting upon this principle, he has been
emneny successful in foreign relations IL must be
matter OF pride and Of pleasure our countrymen 10
know The high reputation he enjoys throug bout Europe
have mingled much with society abroad and can solemn
y DECLARE that no matter how opposite opinions may have
been, upon the great questions which agitate that
quarter OF the Globe, ALL without exception, entertain the
most exalted respect for his ability, integrity and rmnes
For obvious reasons, made point Introduce
the subject but wherever have been, his character has
been leading topic o! conversation, and theme OF eulo-
gy May DOtjustly anticipate that the present judg-
ment OF Europe is but in advance of that which will be
universally formed by his countrymep, when the
passions and interests OF the day shall have subded and
when posterty shall Judge him by the great results
administration Abroad have often heard him pared
with Washing ton though, in my own opinion, no man
who has ever existed, either in ancient in modern
times, be fairly compared with the who will
be hrst IN the hearts oil his men, long they
are worthy OF the liberty they enjoy.
There is one subject which has occupied so many Of
my anxious thoughts whilst was absent that must be
pardoned Tor aiveriDg 10 few moments refer the
unhappy disseDsons which, for some time seemed to
threaten the very existence OF confederacy. Danger
L
with confidence the attachment OF the people the
Union, yet there were moments when was almost ready
to despod The hopes OF the enemies OF free
throughout Europe were elevated. They believed that
the moment was rapidly approaching, when il would be
demonstrated by our example, that man not fit for
segovernment; and when despolism would enioy final
triumph human liberty. The advocates OF liberal
principles were depressed in the proportion They
believed that the happiness Of millions tbrou all flu
ture generations at stake upon the issue. They
held the march OF events with the most intense anxiety
and from the want OF full knowledge OF situation,
they feared the very worst. l shall forget with
what thrill OF delight received the integ that the
compromise had been happily effected did stop to
consider whether 1T was the best that could have been
made was sufficient that the danger which threatened
institutions had passed away Each citizen of our
try ought TO feel sort of personal responsibility ex
ercse OF his political rights and osgb to his con-
duct might affect not only the permanence OF our Union
but the liberties OF mankind. Above ALL he ought to
member Union was the result OF mutual coppro-
mSe and that the spirit which brought into existence
can alone render ii perpetual
Political parties must exist in this country. In my
opinion, they ought TO exist. Their foundation
deeply laid in the Federal Conslitu ion ITSELF They arise
from the impertection Of human language. In the very
beginning one portion oil our citizens dreaded conscda
ton, the other dsunion. The disposed give
strict, the other liberal Interpretation the powers Of
the Federal Government Between the two extremes
there was much intermediate ground; but still this broad
line Of denidrcafon has existed.
The sovereign States of this Uoon may extend their
jealousy OF Federal power TOO fa but may the sy never
arrive when their shall suuberl The Stat,
Governments existed before the Constitutions they elected
the Delegates TO the Convention by which was framed
the people OF the several States for racaon aud in the
theory oil SYSTEM ed by the Federas they
sendnels To give the alarm TO the people, should the
Federal Government transcend its proper limits. Power
Is always stealing almost without the ledge OF its
possessors Lisery Hesperan fruit, only be
preserved by watrhfu Jealousy. IL is the condition ON
which alone ii can be enjoyed. Ii is because the present
administrations whilst II has nced from exercising
the powers unquesonabiy granted has shown
position TO powers fairly dele gated, that it is
entitled 10 the support OF republican people. do not
mean TO say This administration indlble this attribute
belongs not to man. But il upon these principles
they into power, and in my opinion, they have al.
ways held them steadily in view.
The exercise OF doubtful powers prove dan
gerous The harmony Of the Union They generate per
petua struggles. Whilst the Government ought fear
lcssy aud firmly to carry into execution the powers clear
ly granted they ought never 10 tread upon doubtful
which is always dangerous ground. know that able
heads and pure hearts have done honor this
country, have been in favor of extending the powers o. the
Governments by what has been called a liberal construc-
tom but believe, that the longer experience shall
continue The clearly will tie ldlacy Of this doctrine
be demonstrated.
These are the pare', however, from which, when
confined within proper limits have TO appre.
bend danger. IL is when large sectional masses become
ought 10 be alarmed. regret ipd that some ex.
element arisen the question Of slavery during my
absence. Judging from my own knowledge, think The
South have Just cause 10 he alarmed upon the subject
have never cOnyersed with any well informed OF
any party whe pretended that the Constitution conferred
upon Congress the power control regulate this qucs-
ton.
thank my God that my LOT has been cast in State
where slavery does exist ln the abstract IL an in