Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1843-04-25

ielueT6, 1uuUl Us nave ever USsI III spSN'"'S
theories, and unstintng IN efforts 10 obtain, at every
sacrifice Of principle and constitutional scruPle the
applause and confidence Of the American people
Relying upon the fraIlty of our natures The wings
entertained the hope of securing support 10
4 measure which at least promised TO afford mo-
nry. IL requires little seli-denial and 'niesri-
~ of principle to resist the seductive wes o,
those who court us with promises Of wealth. and hoia
out 10 people, struggling against the torrent OF ao
verse fortunes, and sunken in apparently hopeless ~
debedness, the tempting lure Of money, which lhey
represent too, rs Justly and legmatey own. The
people Of Virginia may, the reiore look back with PRIDE
and eyultaion upon The Spartan virtue, which they
exhibited in authorizing their representatives to REJECT
the quota doed Virginia by the Federal Govern
ment. The merit Of this lofty and noble acton IS en-
HANGED too, by the recollection that while this Gho.a
was held out 10 Virginia, 10 seduce her sons from
their allegiance 10 he's sovereignty they were engaged
IN The "!earu and terrific task to employ the IAN
sunge of the Wing Address, Of burthenug The State
"sh increased taxes, TO her c.. aid preserve
nn,arnishet her old renown. Her IN iusnEe
days VIII point with swelling hearts to this memorable
instance vi her purity, proud integrity and ndo:na-
bic virtue
If it we're possible TO believe the Wing party sin.
cere and disneresed IN this projected scheme oil re
lief for the people-could suppose, with the know.
ledge taught by painful experience Of their designing
motives and their duplicy that their purposes were
patriotic and generous-that sinister intention, no
Interior object lurked under this exhibition Of bsr
Atty and seeming justice, then might frankly
and candlcly and reonstate with them against
course Of policy, which, bile the first glance pre-
misses remedy dstresses satisfy our pressing
wants, yet contains within itself the seeds of
which will ultimately sap the foundations Of Stale
Governments. But when it is apparent that this
ng fairness and lbealty, in proposing an equal dis
iribuon Of the land fund.- is sought be e.ce that
the resources oftbe Federal Government already verg
ing upon bankruptcy, may be utterly and entirely ex.
hausled so that psetest may be afforded for ncreas
ing the duties and lmposs, ostensiby for rerenae,'
but really for protection, ard thus obtaining by
lndlreciion, what has frequently been denied,
the feeling of gratitude, inspired b. The lberay Of
the offer, - gone, and we repel the donors.
would the assassin WHO Smiles III our faces, that he
may the more surely drive the dagger To our hearts
There was time when the revenue of the General
Government vas Overlooking, and when, because o! c
fixed Tariff duties could not be reduced, that 6str.tu-
lion practicable and proper. But now, when The
Treasury OF the Federal Government is well N Ih
.ausied, and National Debt has been created, when
tie advocates OF Protective Tari6 have again be
stirred the msegss, aud have chosen the distribution
scheme as The instrument 10 achieve their selfish puf
poses, IT becomes every patriot and every State lights
mnn 10 denounce end expose this system OF draining
the Golfers OF Impoverished Government, and thus
miIisterins 10 the base and avarcious cupidhy o!
Northern manufacturers and their Southern adu.
tors.
Another OF tie consequences OF this scheme already
intima;ed viii inevitably be the creation of National
lands from the resources Of the Federal Government
and there other mode Of raising revenue
1ut from lie tariff now in operation, which VIGOROUSLY
insufficient for thai purpose To supply therefore, the
deficiency IN The appropriations for The expenses Il %.
vernment, it will be ndispensably necessary 10 borrow
money for that purpose from abroad, and thus will BE-
planted the germ Of National Debt On the other
hand, II 10 avoid thus, high Tasa should be imposed
10 meet the eylgences OF Government the people, the
consumers of imported articles, do but pay back the
fund iI,ufsd fbprfp tG2
lection and disbursement superadded together with the
unavoidable losses which viii result from de!aulters
and dishonest agents.
There is however, another and alarming
evil than the creation Of National Debt, and the
scroua that mist result to the pecuBIary inter.
ests az The people, by Carrying into effect this scheme
81 Distribution and that from the corrnpng and
dangerous political influence the irresponsible control
OF tins fund wilt give to Congress over tie State Co.
verumehta.
The basis Of representative responsibility, IS tie
foundation upon which Republican institutions
rest. The and speedy accountability oil tic public
servants 10 their constituencies, the safest guarantee
OF their preservation. ln,erpcse between the Repre-
sentative and hs constituent body third party, with
the and power 10 corrupt both, and he will Ger
tany seduce BOTH and mould them to his will Accus-
the people of the States 10 the idea that their fiscal
resources dependant upon the llberay OF the
Federal Government and satisfy the representative
that he best discharge his duty 10 them By exerting
stipend from the General Government, and you will
have established that dependence upon, and subscrvir
cy The Federal Government, which will be ultimately
fatal 20 he integrity and the sovereignty Of the States
The surest safeguard against the encr"achments OF
Federal power, is ae cmnd IN coninIug it WITHIN
the o,b,l prescribed by the Constitution and in p!eser
wing, as with wall OF FIRE. the boundaries between Il
aud the State soveregntes. That "weaIth is power.
is maxim established and verified by the history Of all
governments and the first step liberty has ever beer
the poUsrty OF the government. TIE converse OF this
axiom is equally true How important IS it then, 10
retain that control over the General Government,
which present belongs to US, Of defining and limit
ing lis expenditures, and how suicidal would it be, 10
yield 10 the Federal Government power which might
ensiuve Us. Whether regard this policy OF disrl
button as measure likely occasion either national
debt or Protective Tariff, land the other, aud
perhaps bo will be the consequence OF I'D The people
of Virginia igfeconcieaby opposed TO II. tie
power of Congress the land fund aud their dn'y
10 dispositions have been fully discussed before
the people ri this State 1t wa5 The measure upon
whcn the Wings 'ss,aked" themselves in lhe Spring
elections of -; and they iupatsd upon It. The
unbought and iucorruptbe sons Of the Old DOMINION
wi,hsiood al the arguments aud ecquence OF The wing
orators upon that OCCASION and they were beaten and
routed "money in hand" despite their appeals To the
interests and to the worst passions of the people
The stamp of their Reproduction was fixed upon tue mea-
sure, ineAaceabie Characters and no Efforts OF the
Wings recomm end il to their appreciation.
The RICH, of the people to this fund, is strongly
pressed in the Wing Address, by an argument. drawn
from the deeds of cession, which provides, tina! 'h'
nhds shall be ''heid for the equal benefit OF all Inc
States" II NAV be :.iu.uphanty asked how tliesr
funds could be- cqui'ab!y distributed thnn IN Hp
plying them the expenses of Government, IN winch
al. tie States ought 10 bear equal part ihey have
heretofore been used for the liqa'daon of National
deb. Why may they no! be with equal Proprieiy, eni
plnyed for :lle prevention OF Nationnl debt But
enough Of Distribution. This policy has passed under
The review of,hc Republicans of Virginia before, and
there is no fear that they will perceive any new beauty
in it, 10 recommend il to their approval and adoption
The one term principle and Henry Clay, complete The
list of the Wing measures, and they VAL be examined III
sphsonuent number AN OBSERVER
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