Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1843-12-14
REPUBLICAN MEETING IN powH,TAy

w
4th day Of December, ls43, in pursuance Of no,i6cc-
ton, for the purpose of eecng delegates TO The Dis
trict Convention to be held at Richmond on the lth
day OF January next the meeting called to order
by John w. Nash, Esq. Dr.. Abner Crump was called
TO the Chair, and Jesse A. Abrahams was appointed
Secretary.
The purposes Of The meeting having been explained
by Mr. Nash, the following resolutions presented
to the consideration of the meeting by MIR Jerman l..
Stratton, VIZ:
l. Resoiped Tha, we approve the proposition of the
Democratic COMMITTEE OF Vigilance for this county,
that the Convention for III Congressional District,
appoint four delegates to the Baltimore Convention
should be held in the city of Richmond on the 18th
day of January next.
? Resoired, That of all the candidates hose names
have been presented 10 the public in connection with
the Presidential election os 1874, decidedly prefer
| Martin Van Buren,, Esq Of New York-but we pledge
ourselves TO abide the decision, and to support The
nominee of the Nstional Democratic Convention.
| ). Res0ioed, That - be and they ore hereby ap-
pointed delegates u represent the Democracy OF Pow
haan county, the district convention be held in
Richmond, the lth day Of January next; and they
hereby instructed represe in the said
district convention TO give effect, good faith to the
preference and pledge confined in the preceding
luton.
| 4 Resoiced, That our Democratic brethren in Ches.
terfed, GoochlaEd, Louisa, Hanover Henrico, and the
city of Richmond be respectfully requested concur
with as to the time and place OF boiling the ds'
tct convention, and 10 appoint delegates to The same
The adoption OF these resolutions was opposed by
Nj VIM. Old, who offered a substitute the follow
ing, viz:
RESOLVED, That whereas, the meeting of the General
Convention OF the Democratic Republican party has
been postponed by unanimous consent to the 4th Mon
day in May, 1S44 do not the necessity pro-
priety Of proceeding to the appointment Of delegates
that Convention ea'ler than the Spring of 1874; and,
therefore, decline taking any action that subject,
at this ne expressing preference for any patcu-
lar candidate.
The substitute was supported by Mr. VIM. Old, Gen
VIM. Lyon, and Mr.. WIN. Old, Jr and opposed by
Mr.. Nash and Col Hopkns, and was rejected by q
large majority. The question then required the
adoption of the original resolutions, which car
| red by equally large majority
The blank in the Sd resolution then filled with
the of the following persons, Doctor f. w
Rnyster DR.. J. A. Mayo, Capt John &. Porter, Capt
William McGruder, Capt Boiling Causbv, Colnnel S.
William Ctump, General William Lyon Jacob Mi
cheaux, Jr, Miller w. Mchaux. William Old, Jr
James Allen, james Gales, w liam Michaux,
STRAIT on HANNIBAL Harris, J. p. Spencer George NJ.
Harding, Daniel Blown. f. Brown, f. w. Bass, Alex
ander Harris, William w. Porter William NJ. Justice,
Pleasan, Finch, George Taylor, Colonel H J.. Hop
kns and J. w Nash On motion, the Chairman and
Secretary were added to the delegation
The following resolution then proposed by Col.
| Hopkins, and unanimously adopted, viz:
Reso,rsd That committee of l3 be appointed to
present to tbs meeting concise report, exhibiting the
contrast in principle and in practice between the De-
moc,a.ic and the Federal parties and in connection
herewith, Constitution for Democratic Assoca-
| ton.
Whereupon the Chair appointed the following COM
miitee viz: Col. II. l.. Hopkins, Gen. VIM. Lyon,
jacob Mchaux, jr, DIR R. w Roysier, WIN. Old, jr.,
John G. Porter Capt. Joseph. Wren, +. W. Bass, VIM.
ForSee, Geo Taylor, Jerman l.. Stratton Charles r.
rorsee, and Edward F. Bangh, who, after retirement
for short lime, presented through their Chairman,
Col Hopkins, the following Report and Constitution,
which were unanimously adopted:
/ REPORT.
We, the Democracy Of Powhatan, believe, that our
ancestors who framed the Federal Constitution,
patriotic and wise menthat they transmitted to Us The
best form of General Government that the wit of man
could devise ha, they gave 10 the Government, limited,
enumeratsd and specific powers, and reserved all others
to ''ihe States respectively or TO the peope-that the
powers thus granted, with all necessary means Tor the
enforcement are sufficient for the purposes OF such
Goveroment-ihat - enlarge those powers by impl'-
cation dangerous, because il tends to make the Ame
rican Congress- Ike the British Parliament, omnpo
TENT and Of course tyrannical in its
the and broad distinction between the Democratic
and Federal parties in this country consists in this, that
the former has always been in favor of the Cons.u
lion as is written, restricting the Federal Government
10 the udicous exercise of the powers expressly grant
ed and such necessary and proper for their
ecuton-while the latter has always sought, by i'm
plca,cn and construction 10 confer upon the Govern
ment other powers that those which specially emu
msrated and expressly granted To exhibit the truth
nf this distinction let few PRACTICAL Illustrations
furnished by The history of the two parties suffice
]. The Constitution declares, that Congress shall
make law "abridging the freedom of speech or of
the press The Democratic party says this is wise
provision and must be sacrecy observed but the Fe
deral party, in absolute disregard of the prohibition,
passed the otous Sed,tion Law, and for the free ex-
preston of opinions, actually fined and imprisoned
some Of the vruous and patriotic citizens OF the coun-
try
. In all criminal prosecutions, the Constitution Sc
cures t, the accused the right Of speedy and public
trial by impartial jury, and to be informed oil the
nature and Of the accusat 10 be confronted
with the witnesses against them 10 have compulsory
process for obtaining Witnesses IN his avor and 10 nave
the assistance OF counsel for his defence. To the
faithful support of this provision OF The Federal Constr
tution, the Democratic party has always contributed
Is untirng aid and infuence-but The Federal party,
o-gefu of its existence, unmndiu Of lis just and no.
bic aims or reckless OF lis solemn inunclons passed
The famous Alien Law by which, as far as II operated,
the trial by Jury Observation-Disclosures upon the
mere sus oicon Of the President, the informal repre-
sentaton of Others arragned without being IN
formed OF ssihe nature and cause OF their accusation,
without witnesses "t1 confront them, "o testify
in their favor and without "counse TO defend them.
g. Congress shall have power at, coin money, regu-
late the value thereof and Of foreign coins, and fix the
standard Of weights and measures. Again: No State
shall "coin money emit bills OF credit, or) make any
thing but gold and silver coin tender IN payment OF
debts These all the powers expressly granted to
Congress, prohibited TO the States, in relation to The
making Of money or the regulating OF currency. The
Democ attic party, with the exception OF comparative
" s,uall portion Of its members, has always been dis
posed 10 restrict the legislation Of Congress in reier
ence money and currency, within the pale and TO
the plain intent and meaning of these provisions OF the
Federal Constitution bu, the Federal party has ever
con;endsd and does s insist, that Congress, in add
ton 10 the power Of coming money and regulating the
caius terfc possesses the authority under The Const
tuition to charter National Bank, for the purpose OF
issuing as a currency eon but the written or print
ed eoidaces of lis deLtsits mere promises to pay
coin when the holder of is notes may find it prudent
or convenient to demand payment. Such power,
however is not only not TO be found in the Constitution,
but was expressly thheld from Thy very decd ID vote
IN the Convention which framed the Constitution. A
proposition was submitted TO The Convention to empower
Congress graft charters Of Incorporation, ard was
los, by vote taken b. States, ayes g. noesS II then
the makers of The Constitution positively refused TO
confer upon Congress the power to grant charters OF
Incorporation undenaby true that Congress can
not without unwanantable interpolation, OF viii
full violation oc tbs Constitution grant "charer 0!
incorporation for National Bank-because, 10 do SO,
involves The exercise OF power positively 'rtfhheid
TO- Ill ..h ogoQs