Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1841-06-04

and proper 10 effect the execution Of its various artl-
ces If this fundame ntal principle be devated from,
each part of the Constitution may be successfully m
vuded until the intent Of its trainers will gradually dis.
and every original landmark be forever obscured
in the dark and bewIdeng of aatitudnous con-
sruction.
The people, in confdng to the General Government
the purse and suord believed they were placing them
in the most safe and efficient hands. This surrender
of the whole means of public Defence makes the su-
pernendence of it, in all lis branches primary duty
in the national functionarles. Although the lmne-
date control this subj ct has been wisely lodgeo
in Legislative hands, yet, the influence OF the Executive
in recommending defensive measures in the first IN
stance, and his control them, under the sanction
of laws, afterwards render him highly responsible Tor
maintaining the rights, interests, and honor oil the
country Under this responsibility, it well becomes
Chief Magistrate, to keep in view the efficiency OF he
national detences for we are oy gn
ry that "o be unprepaed TO punish insult, is TO court
it, and that lin defensive preparations are to be iound
the best means of preserving peace.
| In Government of checks and balances, the accu-
mutation of power in the hands Of any one man, or SET
of men, should be narrowly watched, as dangerous 10
liberty In the influence Of Executive patronage may
be found fruitful source ofalarm and its dspensatlon
cannot be puarded with loo Jealous eye, lest spirit
and capacity he prescribed the bitterness OF party
spirit encouraged, and successful efforts be made 70
control the freedom OF oPn'on OF OF the press, OF "
corrupt the people, that place may be retained power
augmented.
| Economy forms one of the prominent virtues ana
duties of Republican Government II does not con-
sst howe ver in Withholding from faithful pubic ser
vices lust conversation; neither does it CONSIST III
,ccord;ng with parsimonious hands the means of pro-
motng the public defence But it consists in closing
every unnecessary drain the public Treasury and
also for the purpose, there is strenuousy re-
qured iudicous application OF The appropriations 10
their Objects and vigorous execution OF the 1--WE
gardng them.
Agriculture, commerce, manufactures, and the me-
cbanc arts the great sources OF our natohai pros
perity. These, when sustained ny weii-reguiateo
system. which system should hold for the most part,
10 be best. when least shackled, constitute the greatest
portion of the wealth and power OF The country In
cherishng them cherish what enabled orr fathers
to rise superior colonial dependence and disregard
ing the numbcrless difficulties and dangers which sur
rounded them, to establish upon sure and solid oun-
dation the greatest Republic among the nations of
| the earth.
.To cherish liberal commercial intercourse with
other nations without involving ourselves in entang
ling alliances with any" to do justice to others, and
rridly exact it in turn, also among the prominent
obligations of the Federal Government.
1t is fixed principle in Government which can
not be TOO faithfully adhered to in practice, nor too
often repeated, that it was instituted to promote the
welfare of the pcopie-tha those who make and those
who carry into effect the laws but their agents
and that to generate any distinct interests between the
people and their Government is incompatible with this
principle and never contemplated by the trainers
Of the Constitution.
A perfect tolerance of political opinion and freedom
the exercise of the elective franchise are lndspensa-
BILE; for Government based on public opinion becomes
impaired when intolerance and lawess control of The
right of suffrage withdraw from it that support; and we
should bear in mind that while under the imperative
Democratic principle, the will of the majority is to pre-
vail in all cases. yet that "the minority possess rights to
violate which would be oppression"
Opposition political should rather be in
vted than deprecated for, in audabe opposition there
may be found security from error should IT be forgot
ten, that "every difference of opinion is not difference
Of principle and that citizens Of the same Republic,
are all equally interested in the honor welfare and
happiness of our common country.
II may be affirmed as incontestable truth, that
the tendency ofcorporae bodies and associated wealth
is inimca 10 the liberty, as it is destructive of the
equality of the people, and the authority to create them
was wisely withheld from the General Government by
the States Should this view be considered as too tor
chilly stated, my answer is plain and direct the coc
trine has been proved sound by experience, and has
received the assent of the Democratic party ii it be
erroneous the responsibility gifts maintenance is shared
by Jefferson and Madison, with Snyder and a
Jackson
Since the adoption of our present form Of Govern
ment questions of importance have arisen upon which
different portions Of our feow-citzens have taken is
sue Some of these questions will probably never be
| revived Should occasion arise when important ones
NAV be presented, which would turn on doubtful con-
stuction of the Constitution you may may rest assured
that CONVICTIONS OF right woulo pc oaseu upon tue
only true and safe foundaiion-that Of the Jeesonlan
| school.
| If the views here set forth of the principles of De-
mocracy, under our Constitution, and which embrace
perhaps the largest portion of our national policy prove
satisfactory 10 you, cannot but feel proud that they
| have undergone in change or dimnutlon but,
the contrary they have been confirmed and strength
ened by the many opportunities have had ofobserving
foreign rule under different forms of Government, as
we'll the happy position Of country under the
doctrines of our Declaration Of independence, which
have fully proved to that is not incapable Of
sell. government.
For the Aatterng manner in which you have been
pleased express yourselves in relation to any of my
public services, pray you to accept my thanks 10
giving assurance that whatever may have done for
my country by fighting her battles or otherwise, has
been unobserved, you convey to me the most CRATE
full reward could receive-thc appreciation OF my fell
low citizens. CHS. STEWART.
Nlessfs. Stephen B. Kingston, Daniel Smith, George
F. Lehman, Richard vaux, John w. Byan, Com
mittee on the part of the "Old Ironsides Club of
the city and county of Philadelphia
ct,rrcT M A Nrly NATIONAL. RANK Upon