The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-10-31
From me Charlottesville Republican.
THE CoNSTITUTION-ITS VALUE-THE
DANGER OF ITS VIOLATION.

" q Ii = n n n
The security Of liberty by written restriction upon
the powers OF Government has distinguished the Ame
ncan people from oil Others either ancient modern
The Constitution Of The Uniled States is charter ema
rating from tho people, defining what shall be the form
or the Federal Goyemmeni-the powers which II shall
exercise and the functions which II shall perform. IL
is word that act which asserts the sovereignty OF
tho people that they the true sources Of power
aud declaration their part that they will not commit
TO the federal hand, any other powers than those
pressy delegated. The necessity Of this charter Of
powers, grew Of the acknowledged depraviy Of hu
nature and the proneness Of those who exercise
pow increase to the utmost extent and their dis
position to tyrannise over their fellow men. II men
perfect there would be necessity for govern
ent, neither liberty, property any other right would
be invaded, but il is because by the deprayiy Of man.
these rights endangered that government has been
instituted, for protection aud punishment In
tons, ancient aud modern, the great principle Of the
sovereignty OF the people, has been merged 10 the power
Of the government and the people regarded the
creatures, the creators Of government In word
the people have become the abect and unqualified slaves
Of government, and their lives, Liberties and rights Of
every kind subjected to Its despoc and arbitrary
troll. The people Of the United States, acting under
the influence OF that light which history had SO lun
nously she'd determined the great principle Of
popular sovereignty and supremacy in the endur
N. ior. by imPsIling 10 their government chart Of
powers IN teriing, and mpressing this great and pma
principle Of democracy its every form and feature
y
1t establishes standard by which the people may al
ways the acts OF their les islave and executive bo-
dies. j affords standard Of permanent leading prin-
cpes which are not subject to be repealed according
the within or caprice oil the moment, ordinary acts Of
legislation Il is fortress Of defence between the
rights and liberties OF the people, and the power Of their
rulers, and - 10 those who administer the Government
what acts Of legislation to the people, rule Of
aetion." Take away this controlling infuence--ths
check upon the authority Of rulers and what security
In hat Hard hv
the actions OF their law gvers What security for the
supremacy Of the popular will None whatever
Every act OF legislation will be constitutional or not
cordng 10 the prevailing whm Of the moment, as
present interest may prevail. This is not a.-this
written constitution is the only defence between
the powers Of the Federal Government and the rights of
the States, take away, and there is no fixed standard
by which the powers Of the Federal and State Govern
aens are defined, aud their conflicting claims adjusted
and state Of hostility avoided If these be the Offices
Of the constitution our readers must readily perceive its
great value, and the great necessity Of preserving in
violate and in full heslth and vgor il would preserve
our happy republican system and the rights and liberties
Of the people.
We do not doubt that every free man, every friend
OF republican Government, and of fixed standard Of
governmental power would rebel against any open pal
pabe and violent breach Of the constitution and punish
IN the most signal manner, its pepelraor II is of
such violation this that e have any dread there
are but few Of the Caesars and Bonapares Of the day.
SO hardy as TO make such bold and daring attempt
openly, but Is against the insidous, the covert and
gradual Entertainments upon the constitution, that
would warn the peope-those violations which interest,"
seshness, and ambition under the mask Of republican
ism, professed regard for the people, and potent
system OF party discipline would nfic We have, since
the formation Of our government, already had many
ampes OF the violations to which the constitution has
been subjected by the predomnatng interests and pas
sons of The day. under the broad covering Of irental
powers, and we fear destined to witness many
more, unless the people regard with cautious and
ygllant concern, this their great cde OF liberty and
hnwark Of defence, than they have hitherto DONE The
fortress OF Gibraltar nvunerable is would be Of
no avail TO the purposes Of defence, unless manned by
faithful and ygllant soldiers, will the tuition
avail against the usurpa,ons and of pow
er, valuable as is, unless defended by vgllan, and
determined people. 1t matters not to the effect
whether the constitution be battered down by open and
violent assault, destroyed by the slow process of
saPpng and mining, it will be lost the States and to
the people IN either case, desposm with all its blight
ing and destructive influences, will succeed The form
OF constitution without the power would be an in
cumbrance, instead of blessing If one violation is
submitted to- 1t becomes precedent for another. until
finally by repeated violations the power Of the consti-
tuition VIII be lost In congressional legislation and
cutve usurpation. .s@ .....
In 1898 when the constitution was violated by the
enactment OF the alien and sedtion laws the republican
party in Virginia, aroused the utmost degree Of
resistance and the spirited, truly republican report OF
49, sounded IN the ears Of the Iegning dynasty, the
knell of It's departed power In later years the same
spirit was aroused agDs National Bank the protec-
hire far1f Internal improvements and the proclamation
not to say other. measures In 1885, when the Sub
Treasury scheme offered by the hand Of an oppo-
nent, the strongest and berest against
IT, rung IN our ears from the whole republican phalanx
II was characterized as disorganzing' and reyolu-
tonary as dangerous increase Of Executive power and
paonagesubversive OF the best interests Of the coun-
Try, and exposing the public treasury to be plundered
by hundred hands instead Of one But now strange
TO tell when this is offered by the pre-
sent administration, accompanied with the startling
unconstitutional and dangerous attempts TO establish
system OF bankruptcy over State instituons-an
thorty to the Treasury Department to issue Govern
ment paper at its discretion and trade in State stocks
some OF the same men who raised this shout Of oppo-
ston, who saw so many formidable and dangerous OBJ
ectons 70 the scheme itself, suddenly nush every OBJ
| Jecuon INTO profound slencc-attempt to throw the
mantle OF oblivion over all they said its prejudice
and shout hosannas to this once deformcdhorrid depa
but now, rising god before whom all are REQUIRED to
fall down and worship under pain Of death Some per-
haps unfortunately for themselves. think that this new
born DEFY, 70 which party alteration is infexbly
acted Is still but dcrH, although yelled in a saints
MANTLE and have refused 10 fall down and worship at
Its feet; for which, according to the stern and inhexble
rules OF modern party discipline, the cry has gone forth
docm tcnh Mcm-do,rn ac'h hem-thcy arc Traitors
&c &c. In the annals of party
In any age or any country parallel to such an attempt
TO destroy faithful and fearless public servants in pub
lie estimation, BY scnselcss clanlor and vulgar cphe
for aeoastent and faithful adherence their princi-
PIES cannot be found, and trust never will be again
What does such state Of things Indicate! Nothing
more less than that party is mere struggle for
power and that principle is the will Of those in power
All other considerations lost sight Of and the stan
dad OF party falth strict and unqualified obedience
10 ecccuiiue m, and conformity 10 party diciafion
Country is nothlng-frec institutions nothingthc