Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1839-04-25

A frequent recurrence TO first prinei-
pies 10 recommended, a. q nsee,saTy
means TO preserve QUE nstitulions in their
purity. No lss1 essential is il to vise and
prudent action, .orevisw occasionally the
past history ofthe two great opposing par
ties, and learn from IL. what ~e have a
right TO expect from the future aseendan-
cy OF the one or the other.
Soon AFTER the operations Of the Gensr.
al Government commenced in 1850. two
political seets arose, entertaining very
different views Of iis constitutional pow
ers aud duties. The one. at the be al Of
which stood Hamilton, believing The Re.
deTal Government 10 be too eak 10 its
organization TO answer the purposes Of
its founders. sought 10 enlarge its powers
ADD patronage, by TesOriing to broad aud
Authoritarian constructions. For this pur-
pose. he AID his followers pressed into
their service that clause OF the inttru.
ment which speaks Of the general vel
fare, and another eonlerring on Con-
yress the power ito make all laws which
shall be necessary and proper for carry ing
INTO execution the foregoing powers, aud
all other powers vested by the Constiiu-
ton in the Government Of the United
States, or in any Department or officer
thereof" The first clause, 60 they con.
tended. authorized Congress 10 use The
pnblIc money for any purpose calculated,
an their 0piniOn, TO promote the general
welfare. whether the objects to which it
was to be applied were enumerated IN
the express grants Of power OF not and
the last 10 make sny law having a ten
dency only 10 promote an object for which
they had authority 10 provide; or useful
or Convenient for that purpose. Under
this forced and loose construction. they
proceeded 10 establish the Funding Sys-
tenn; 10 create a National Bank to enact
an Alien and Sedition Law TO convert
the taxing po~er granted for the purpose
Of raising q revenue for specific objects,
into a protective power Tor the encourage.
ment Of manufactures aud to projec: ADD
partly TO execute, 4 magnificent system
Of Internal Improvements, involving e.
normous expenditures. under the direc-
ton and control Of Federal agents, by
which sectional inteTe SITS might be swayed,
and States themselves be purchAsed.-
They said. indeed, that there was mo
room for doubt that whatever concerns
the general interests Of learning, of agri.
culture. OF manufactures. and Of COM
mefce. are within the sphere Of national
councils. as far az regards an application
Of money and some Of their leaders
have gone so far, a. TO assert that the
wOrdG Of the Preamble to the Constitution
justified still larger grant Of powers. and
authorized every measure relating TO the
common defence and general welfare
whether through the application Of mo.
ney, or otherwise. Thus the Charter OF
our Rights and Liberties vas in danger
Of yielding 10 constructions, founded on
the doctrines ofimplicaiion and expedlen.
cy, which "defed all restraints and over.
wbelmed the best hopes Of Republican
lam"
The principles Of the other party are to
be found embodied in the Resolutions oil
Kentucky and Virginia 10 1898, and the
Report Of the Committee Of the LeEisla-
lnre OF the latter State. adopted by the
General Assembly in $500. We refer ia
these noble documents, as explanatory oi
the creed we are still! proud to aeknow.
ledge. We refer to them as the expo
nents Of our political faith, rendered doub
~ dear TO Us by the instructive lesson,
Of experience. And we place them pro
mInently before you, ~ presenting the
common gToO0ds upon which we may al
rally ia this critical junciure Of affairs. iu
favor Of sn administration agreeing essen.
TALLY With Us in principle. 10 oppposiiiol
10 men who without regard TO the true
Interpretation Of the Constitution, advo
cate splendid and delosive schemes 9
Government. which by cula7ging lie pow
eTs and patronage, its expenditures ant
means Of corruption, tend TO prceipitsts
Il into q Capitalization or anaTehy, ems
the State Governments into impoisne,
and contempt II questions have more
recently arisen. respecting rather ht
constitutional distribution Of powers n
the Federal Government between is o.
vcral brsnehcs ihan a. au absolute en-
largement Of them 20 the prejudice o
ihs rights Of the States. (qaesiions no
likely 20 be brought up again by the pre-,
sent Chief Magistrate aud II difference
Of opinion do exist in Tegsrd 10 the bes
mode Of conducting our fiscal concerns
we submit Il TO your calm reflection
whether we ought not. al leasi foF ihe
present. o. suspend these coniroy ersies
1 ahAtt ~ aNNeAN VIZ NtAfuANnNNJ OF ANe
Triumph Of our most eheTishf I principles
by restricting the General Government
through the means Of proper choice O
public agents. 20 the few greet aud sinpl,
objects OF rs ersaiion aud BY revor.inl
Ell the measures which have Oririnatet
10 the Federal school.
Bat. perhaps IL wall BE- said. that ihss'
are not The ifue issues nou 90 Do tried bl
you. and by the Americau people ;-lhs
ihe Bsnk has no longer iis pariizans IL
she field --ihs, the Tariff queS.ion ., I'd
jnsted that The grand system Of Inier
nal Improyement b. sbsndoned ,--sns
that the advocates q broad and Danger
Gus construction Of the Constitution have
practically II n0i theoretically, reDouace,
their befosiss and adopted principles NOR
songsnisi 20 our political system. W.
sincerely wish We could Congratulate yol