Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1833-04-23
LPGFIATld)AE.

k'GH4AEGGAE.
Il Reue,r of he Proclamation Of President Jackson of
the 10Th Of December 1892 IN series Of numbers orr
ginatiy published in the .N1rfoH and Portsmouth He
raid under the signature of''A Yirgiijdn No. |
The recent Proclamation Of the President o. the United
States in denying the correctness of certain PROPOSE
that have been held Gin Virginia at elsO as fnnla
mental truths of constitutional law, and by affirming in
the confident language OF authority the proprcy JUS
uca OF other propositions which OF Virginia have ever
regarded political heresics, demand OF some
Virginan review these his various tons. have
waited the Proclamation first appeared ia the
hope, that some more disposed and better qualified
perform such task would undertake it, but none such
has yet done So even will essay its performances Ia do
ing so, my sole object IS truth; the sole means shall
employ for its attainment, will be and fair argu
ment; the sole Authorities upon which shall rely will
be the history of country for my facts aud its Cons
tuition for my principles
When the occasion Ihat has Induced this Proclamation
shall have passed away, (as pass away mus theues-
tons raised by the President will still remain. they
have become the property Of History. No matter how
these questions may be settled disposed or they
will still arise hereafter problems Of deep interest
political philosophy, TO occupy the anxious reflections
Statesmen yet unborn they have employed heretofore
the solemn mediaions OF the wi,est and best amongst us
who are now Seen through the Oug vista OF
Time the meanings of the several personal ausious
which darken the surface Of this State papcr, will not
then be understood; the faults Of its style, will be then
concealed by the rust, asCribei prevailing taste
OF other days; the spirit in which it is conceived
will not be dscened its immediate objects regarded
Under such light do now wish examine it, and dis
regarding every thing but It's doctrines, propose calmly
10 inquire: Are these true?
may hereafter perhaps, institute another inquiry, as
to the authority OF the Chef Magistrate OF such go
venment that of the United States, utter er cGthe-
drd any dogmas whatever aud TO tile probable
of such novel practice 10 this country even il con
ceded that the dogmas SO proclaimed may be But
as this matter Of minor importance, and nature
is properly consecutive of the first INQUIRY merely an
nOunce it now to shew that have overlooked great
question: which under different view OF this subject than
that which propose TO take, would present itself natural
ly at the very threshold.
As preliminary the examination of the questions
have stated, (Which examination may very possibly be
drawn out through several nuhbers will be necessary
10 oIieT lew OHei aud very general remarks upon the
nature and objects OF all governments and upon some Of
the peculiar characters OF These will constitute
the matter OF this number, which designed as merely
Introductory oil my intended investigations
No history records any tradition family pre-
serves, the commencement OF that struggle between Pow
er and Right, which has continued increasingly TO this
day, and must still so on while man is but Found
ed upon tins long experience is the general truth which
so many particular examples illustrate, that whoever is
possessed OF authority will probably abuse it. But
world compounded OF good and evil, Right can never be
long preserved except by Power, the of Right
must necessarily be cOnded 10 the custody Power al
though is certain that this will be perverted and Of
ten misemployed 1t better the sck TO the dog
although know that he will does worry it, than to
leave II delenceles against the Unsuitable voracily the
devOuring wolf.
In yielding the necessity of committing the preserva
ton OF Right TO the of Power man has always en-
deayoured so to muzzle and shacke Power, that
while It's strength might remain unmpaired for the at
tanmen oil good, should be mpotent accomplish any
evil Free government Is the device attain this de-
sirable end and the various forms under which such
governments have existed throughout all time are but
different inventions accomplish the same purpose Pa
rental affection, the obligations OF Religion the preceps
OF Educaioni and the division OF authorities all all have
been tried IN past time sngly and in every of COM
bnahon which ingenuity could suggest, as checks and
Limitations OF power but they were all ued in vain
Power granted TO protect Right, has always proved un
mindful oil ITS charge Sooner or later il has cOnved TO
Iu sel OF the shackes imposed upon ~; and governors
even when but the and agents of society have
oeneYeu themselves born to command it, and have
how or other become lis Lords and its Masters
ted. and
ism has never rclnqushed her hope Of Ultimate sue
10 every state OF things, she has presented some me
scheme to remedy the known defects OF her former plans
ana prevent thclr recurrence. For long tne nature
herself seemed TO oppose these devices and Ia present her
immuIable laws, obstacles not bo overcome by the
wisdom oil me most enlightened sages. That tic People
should govern themselves directly and immediately was
one OF the experiments OF antiquity which eype feucc
proved to them could never be apuled g, m ans,
hope OF success TO any territory Of vide extent because
it was impossible gather together the people Of such
territory either olen, or promptly, their necess
Ties required; ann even This possible their numbers
would be too great Tor useful deJer'lon. Hence was
me1im Of one Ot the wisest lie Greek PHILOSOPHERS
that extent Of territory @as Incompatible with tie exist
euce oil d fepnOfcih Government. 3 lac PlOs0-
pher lived TO see snnll territory iol easy prey to he
ambition at more pove iu neghhor. Free government
Therefore, seemed 90 be p.olubi'ej 10 mankind.
Centuries rolled by aner de 0ununcauo Of dis sup.
posed political maxim, od itsiIl continued uudcned aud
undoub'ed by DO icarcd. at Length Barbarian enyci.
oped The bs r pat OF tue civilized world and ne loren
OF science Vas IS ing1'sned IS 10 these da'k ages,
when The light o science bad ceased To shine upon be-
nigIei worli, That he hisio idn la new star ap
pear 10 shed o. ttsife upon humanity Feeble were M
rays al hrs but hey we're lccicd by he watch
lul Industry oil Paii,usu, aid their heat iLen suiced
10 rekinlle the expired ynsal fame Of Liberty and
Right which has never since ceased 10 burn bright and
clear LeIrning may continue 10 drporc her losses by
The r8vages OF he Gothic corqHeror Of Ue Western En-
Pre, bot Freedom finds ample cOmptusai for Obi, loss
10 their great Invention Of Representative Government
and is necessary companion, Trial by Jury.
The present generation Is NOT Indebted their Bafba-
rau progeuior. Tor hc ncs'nabic blessing Of Represent
taiye government only. TO Anglo Saxon ancestors
we also owe The inventions oi written Charters. tire best
guarantees Of Liberty While those who freely give,
or those who brdvcy exact them, have he wisdom 10 VA.
derstnd the nature OF e gr'Gis and the hrnness pre-
serve their provisions inviolaic. Under such Charters,
ex'0red from their Kings by hc clear heads and stout
hearts Of their English ancestors do their posiey enjoy
all Of Liberty nov l'lt in Grcr Bfiain 20 fe sefs
tive jealousy Away man ssicd by that people, at any al
tempt 10 violate Tie conditions Of these grants IS the world
indebted Tor he 6ri idea Of cOnsttnlonel Law and legal
liberty Tile violation VI ihis Liberty broogh, oDc King