Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1833-01-08
Richmond, Tuesday, IAN. :.

*:
Richmond, Tuesday, Jan. =.
"rlIE UNION-IT MUST BE PRESERVED"
We are indebted to a friend in Baltimore for the
following extract from a later letter of "The Ame-
rican veteran" General Lafayette delights to call
himself Let us hear and hearken to the warning
voice of the friend of Liberty in both Hcmisphcres
"LA GRANGE, October 8.
The late collisions in the United States the threats OF
separation and the violent jealoses, without
into particulars, have given me incxpressibe pSin.
too much depend the general good sense of the Amc
rcls SO far at least concerns the maintenance OF the
Union the unanimous and fond object Of every one If
us, who have fought and bled in the Revolution. But
the very anticPaios OF such an event in Europe adoit
ely handled by the adversaies of republican institutions
are very injurious to the popular cause and lessen the
consequence of the United States with all parties
We seize the same opportunity TO spread before
our readers the following impressive advice from
the compatriot of Lafayette, and the champion of
American Liberty.
Extract ofd Circular from Gen. George Washington
Commanding The American Armies, 10 The Governors
Of the several States, ddted
HEAD QUARTERS NEwBuRcH
June Is, 1893.
"wh this conviction of the importance OF the present
crisis, silence in would be crime; will therefore
speak TO your Exceency the language of freedom and
sincerity, without disguise. aware, how ever, those
who differ from in political sentiments NAV perhaps re
mark am stepping out OF the proper line OF duty; aud
they may possibly ascribe to arrogance osenation,
what know is alone the result of the pures nte ntions
but the rec,ude ofmy heart which disans such
worthy motives; the part have hitherto acted in life the
determination have formed of taking any share il,
public business hereafter the ardent desire feel and shall
continue TO manifest, of quietly enjoying in private life
alter all the tolls oil the benefits Of wise and liberal
government WILL latter myself sooner or later convince
my countrymen, that could have no sinister views I'M de-
Iivenng, with so little reserve, the opinions contained in
this Address
There four things which hunbly conceive are cs.
senal to the wellbcing, may venture to say ia
the existence OF the United States Independent Pow
Ist An IndssoluLe Union of the States under one fed
eral head,
IDLY. sacred regard to public Justice.
And,
"4hly The prevalence of that pacific and friendly dis
position among the people OF the u States hch will in
duce them TO forget their local preudces and politics. ia
make those mutual concessions which requisite TO the
general prosperity, and in instances to sacrifice
their individual advantages TO the interest Of the
nifty.
"These the pillars which the glorious fabric oil
our independence and national character be
ed Liberty is the baSisand whoever would dare san
the fountain, overturn the structure, under whaeye I
specious preteXs he may attempt it, will merit the Bit
ereSt eNccraon and the punishment which car
be Inflicted by his injured country.
"On the three first articles will make few observa
TONS leaving the last TO the good and serious
Iteration OF those Immediately concerned.
"Under the first hsad, although it may be neces.ar,
or proper Tor me in this place TO enter into particular dis
QUESTION OF the principles of the Bnion take up ia,
great question which has been frequently agated, whe
Their II be eXpedient and requisite Tor the States to dele
gate arger proportion oil power TO Congress
will be part OF nay duty and that of every true Patriot
TO assert without and TO insist upon the following
positions: That unless the States will suffer Congress
exercise those prerogaves they undoubtedly invested
with by the Constitution, every thing very rapid
tend TO anarchy and confusion that is indispensab Bile
the happiness OF the individual States that there should be
lodged somewhere supreme power, to regulate and 20
vern the general concerns of the cOniederated Republic
without which, the Union cannot be OF long duration
" That there must be faithful and pointed compIianc,
on the part of every State with the late proposals and 1e
mands OF Congress or the most fatal will
ensue. That whatever measures have tendency I,
dissolve the Union, contribute violate or lessen the
sovereign authority, ought to be considered as hostile
the liberty and Independently of America and the an
thors OF them treated accordingly And lastly, that I'm
less can be enabled by the concurrence of the State
to participate OF the fruits OF the Revolution and cnio,
The essential dement's OF civil society," under form of 90
vernment so free and interrupted, so happily guarded
against the danger of oppression has been devised an,
OF regret, that much blood and treasure have been la
Wished for purpose that many suengs have beer
encountered without compensation. and that many sa
crlhces have been made in vain Many other consiera
tons might here be adduced to prove that without an Ell
tire conformity 10 the spirit OF the Union we cannot xs
as an independent Power. IL will he sufficient for m,
purpose TO mention but two, which seem 10 me o
the greatest importance IL is only in our united charac
ter as an empire, that epenlcnce is acknowledged
that power be regarded or our credit snpporte
among foreign nations The Treaties of the EiropeaI
Powers, with the United States OF America will have M
validity on dissolution Of the Union We shall be lief
nearly IN state OF nature; may find 10y our owl
unhappy experience, that there is natural and necessar,
progression from the extreme OF anarchy TO the extreme
OF yranny and That arbitrary power most easily esta
Oshed on The RUNS OF liberty abused to RIGHTEOUSNESS