The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1843-12-04
FSom me Richmond Eaquirsr.
JOHN NICHOLAS.-[No. IL
To the People Of Virginia especially, and 10 he
People Of De United States generally


loved country, and OF our sacred Constitution, the
rosts Of sixty winters have not chilled the heart Of
him who now addresses you. by most fortunate
position in society, the eyes Of roy early childhood
were delighted by the venerable forms Of the great
and iiIustrsus OF our land whom early taught
10 honor and 10 love-and such teachers l-Of Wash
ington, and Jefferson, and Madison, and the Lees
Richard Henry and Arthur, and Of many Other
choice spirits Of that splendid epoeh-we scarce shall
see their like ag ain. Ripe with glory, some Of them
about this time, numbered with the mighty dead
but the impress OF their orms, and of those exterior
manners which truly reflect the inner man, is retain
ed with all the vivid freshness Of fond, and faithful
and uneering memory
When that grand political separation had taken
place between those sages and patriots, who Ike
band Of brothers had been for many years united
in common cause, against one common enemy
as well in the cabinet as Itbe field and when the
great princp Piles OF the parties, under the name
Of Federalism and Republicanism, came 10 exert
more extensive influence throughout cur society and
when the severance was plain to the duest vision
that same position enabled me to witness the mental
conflict, which many felt IN such separation, and
placed me- whence AS locker on in Venice and keen
observer, witnessed many Of the most intesesling
steps, in the formation Of party as then decided ard
acted upon
When arrived al manhood the force Of such eN
ampes could not be lost and the heart did beat 10
my country; but by stern necessity, my pos.
ton then, and since, and now, for the greater time
has been in a station the most humble and by many
most despised--" there IL no respect OF persons w.
God y Taking sides With the Republicans, and as a
spectator for the most part, of my later ycarsha,-
ing my mind settled and landed, aud fortified in the
certainty of these truths, and stored with the doc
lriaes OF the Fathers Of that Political School, have
with pleasure ndescrioable, from place Of secu
ri,y, deserted the battle ragged and the spec
tator at chess sees more clearly than the PLAYER,
themselves the errors and mistakes of the mimic
troops" so, in the serenity oil my position this plea
sure has been often interrupted by deviation NON
the principles Of Republicanism, settled in l-qs
and 1900, when put in practice by these who lad
these beautiful foundations, upon which alone this
Constitution for the States United can ia safety rer
And as Waterman from the watch tower gNeA
warning Of danger, acting under the solemn oblIga
lion of oath TO support This Constitution for M
Uniied Saies in the sense as understood by the Con-
venon when framing IT, and by the States when rat
flying it, respectively each for itself and not for
Their; have cndcayored, when the Constitution has
been assailed, to sound the tocsin Of alarm
EAnd whether they have heard, or whether they
have foIborne equally unawed BY ridicuIe and COT
tempt, with Madson's report my load star, have
in the press whose flag flies the Capitol Of the An
cient Dominion,
"Yeriie sans Pe,gn
in truth and in sincerity, endeavored so 10 blow the
trumpet, that the tube should not give uncer-
tain sound. To the call,
" Watchman, what Of the night
udichtdn, trhai OF me n.ghf!
The Waterman says, as the political prophet Of Old
did say,
The danger is no, yet over"
Such are the meno' able words Of distinguish pa
triot long since descended 10 the tonb. But his "a.
montion lives still, however, 10 warn of danger We,
10 come, and to make feel that the price OF liberty
IS an eternal vigilance. II ever political prophecy
fulfilled and verified IN the progress Of time his
most assuredly is To derive from this warm.
all the benefit intended BY tie seer at the moment u
is delivery, will be Of the very first necessity 10
hold constantly In mind, that the spirit OF part, 0,
greatly adverse 10 the investigation and free adms
sion OF truth while recurrence is made TO times
and principles TO whch his prediction refers For
il Is asserted with confidence that there never Wa,
a period 10 the history Of the United States When
recurrence (resl, frank and honesty the great prin
ciples Of American Liberty ever more necessa-
~ than at the present. apd with equal confidence for
the truth Of this assertion, appeal is fearlessly
made 10 the actual condition of the parties, which
have so recently agtaied, and are, at Tins moment
preparing again to sgita,e, still intensely, Tn,
wide spread community Of these United States
The Federal Convention, which framed 'stbs Con.
suuion roR the States United" ended IFS labors on
the 9TH of September, 1857, after having spett W
wards oil iour nouns IN arguing upon the diaer,E;
pe@ers 10 be enumerated, aud after having wrlt.en
them aud inserted them in their plan a. proper
TO be vested in the Federal Government and m "a,
JEoTiSG from their plan, such powers were pro,,,.
ed 10 be added thereto, bu, which were deem. ,
that Convention as improper and unnecessary, ara
=" foo dangerous 10 Be rested in the .Nsm Government
Notwithstanding the profound wisdom of the nm
rNalled statesmen, who composed this truly august
assemblsge, Ut contained w aslngion Mason Fr5rl.
I'm, and Msdison) and although this splendid state
paper IS ndeli5y stamped throughout with evident
marks OF The most jealous and the most anxiou,
tail and enumeration Of all the powers Intended to be
granted BY that Convection yet did this Consti;l.
ton roR the States UHi,ed,r nevertheless. contain
certain general phrases aud terms" which. il wa.
feared would, by the subtetes OF Interpretation be
70 hsoe 70 misconstruction, As 10 destroy enircy
The elect Of the particular enumeration OF rowtr
BY which they are limited AID explained.
These geuerai terms and phrases ore found lst In
The preamble to the Constitution, which, among Other
hings, declares, that the peopie do establish "th
constitution ron The United Saies' 10 provide fUr
Inc "Gentrai HtJar,"
%. Ia Art. !, Sec. YIlI Clause !, which declare,
hat Congress shall have power TO lay and collie
ares, 10 provide for the General Welfsre'-srJ IN
he last clause OF the same article, which declar,.
jdiy-that Congress shall have power TO make ala
avs which shall b. neeess7y AND PROPER Cos carry.
ing into execution the foregoing powers and al uie
powers vested by "this Constitution for the states.
IN the Government OF the United States, or any Do.
pariment or ofhcer thereof
These phrases gave great and well founded unea,.
ness. To qaci this apprehension, various amend.
nents were adopted according TO the provisions Of
he fifth articli which prescribes the only method
10 the exclusion Of all others by which powers not n
hat Instrument, al he mcmenf If its sgnafue by the
Federal Convention, and Of the moment Of It's ratl6ca-
ion, by the ropeciir, aes can alone be inserted 10
T. and can consequently be alone consii'''i~"siiy
Among these amendments, the ninth declares,
hat
"rhe enumeration, in the Constitution, Of cert1in
tights, shall not be construed TO deny or dsparagc
',bers retained by the people" and the tenth amend
nent declares, that
The powers not delegated to the United Stat, D.,
he Constitution, nor prohibited by il to the sta,e.
re reserved TO the States RESPECTIVELY. or 10
he people"
hi'.r lhe tnai ratification Of the Constitution Of ID,
Jniffd STATES by The St.,. &