Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1837-03-15

cAlGtIslNS do tHS CbibCn ptot~Sj "NN
with pursuits so varied, the internal
regulations of the several States must
frequently differ from n another in
important particulars ; and this differ
ence is unavJidably increased by the
varying principles upon which the
American colonies we're originally
planted principles which had taken
deep root in their social relations be.
fore the Revolution, and, therefore, of
necessity influencing their policy n
they became free and independent
States. But each State has the un-
questionable right to regulate its own
internal concerns according to its own
pleasure and while it does not inter-
fere with the rights of the people Of
other States, or the rights of the Uni
on, every State must be the sole Judge
Of the measures proper to secure the
safety of its citizens and promote their
happiness /; and all efforts on the part
Of the people Of other States to cast
odium upon their institutions, and all
measures calculated to disturb their
rights Of property, or TO put in jeopar.
dy their peace and internal tranquility
are in direct opposition to the spirit IN
which the Union was formed, and must
~endanger its safety. Motives of phi.
%lanthropy may be assigned for this un-
warrantable Interference /; and weak
men may persuade themselves for a
moment that they are laboring in the
cause of humanity, and asserting the
rights Of the human race, but every
one, upon sober reflection, will see
hat nothing but mischief a come
from these improper assaults upon the
feelings and rights Of others. Rest
assured, that the men found busy in
this work Of discord are not worthy OF
your confidence, and deserve your
strongest Reproduction.
In the legislation Of Congress, also,
and in every measure of the General
Government, justice to every portion
Of the United States should be faithful
ly observed. No free Government
can stand without virtue in the people,
and a lofty spirit Of patriotism !; and if
the sordid feelings Of mere s~elfshness
shall usurp the place which ought to
be filled by public spirit, the legislation
of Congress will soon be converted in
to a scramble for personal and section
al advantages.
Under our free institutions, the citi-
zens Of every quarter of our country
are capable of attaining a high degree
of prosperity and happiness, without
seeking to profit themselves at the ex-
pense Of others and every such at
tempt must in the end fail { o succeed /;
for the people in every part of the u.
States are too enlightened not to un.
derstand their W rights and interests
and to detect and defeat every effort
to gain undue advantages over them,
and when such designs are discover
ed, it naturally provokes resentments
which cannot always be easily allay-
ed. Justice, full and ample Justice, to
every portion of the United States,
should be the ruling principle of every
freeman, and should guide the delibe.
rations OF every public body, whether
it be state or national.
1t is well known that there have al
ways been those amongst US who wish
to enlarge the powers Of the General
Government 4; and experience would
seem to indicate hat there is a ten.
dency on the part of this Government
to overstep the boundaries marked out
tor 1t by the Constitution. Its lcgiti-
mate authority is abundantly sufficient
for all purposes for which it was crea.
ted; and its powers being expressly
enumerated, there can be no j~ustifca.
ton for claiming any thing beyond
them. Every attempt to exercise pow
erbeyond these limits should be prompt
ly and firmly opposed. For one evil
example will lead to other measures
still more mischievous and if the
principle of constructive powers, or
supposed advantages, or temporary cir.
cumstances, shall ever be permitted to
justify the assumption of a power not
given by the constitution, the General
Government will before long absorb
all the powers of legislation, and you
will have, in effect, but one ~consolida-
ted government. From the extent of
our country, its diversified interests.
different pursuits, and different habits,
it is too obvious for argument that a
single consolidated government would
be wholly inadequate to watch over
and protect It's interests /; and every
friend of our free institutions should be
always prepared to maintain unimpuir.
ed and in full vigor the rights and sove.
reignty of the States, and to c~onine
the action of the General Government
strictly to the sphere of its appropriate
duties.
There is, perhaps, no one of the pow