Iowa territorial gazette and advertiser. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa Territory [Iowa]) 1840-1846, 1845-09-06
Federal Greed.


In taking view ofthe political princi-
pies BY which We are governed, il seems
to IN essentially necessary that we should
compare our principles, with those ofour
opponents. Its for this reason that we pro-
pose togive our readers view oflhe leading
principles Of federalism that they may
choose between them. The Federalists
are no sentative about any exposition Of
their principles, having once declared that
they should Make no farther delegations
cftheir principles, yor the public eye, that in
writing this creed we shall draw pretty
strongly upon Federal authors, that they
may pour ont the viois oftheir anathamas
on the members of their own party for
opening their mouths to Che world.
Federalism in this country is coeval with
Democracy. 1t has existed and struggled
against Democracy from the formation ofths
government. Its first principle is, that
the people do not possess intelligence or
virtue enough for self government-that
''the rich and the proud" twill destroy all
equality and liberty BY the consent and aeclan'-
uiios Of the people themselues." Fisher Ames
said "An communities divide themselves
into the few and the many. The first are
tho RICH and sceA born, the other the mass
Of the people. The voice of the people
had been said to be the voice Of God, and
however generally this maxim had been
quoted and believed, it was not true in
fact. The people Ure tsrbulent and chang
ING. They seldom judge or determine
right. Give therefore, TO the first class a
distinct permanent share in the govern
nent." "Our federal government was
manifessly founded in mistake; on the
supposed existence Of potitcM Uirtue IN the
peoyle, and on the permanency end stabil-
ity Of public morals." The early history
of the country abandan,ly proves that ma
ny Of the master spirits. who took an ac-
tive part in the revolution, fought for indie.
psnIence rather than liberty. They rebell-
ed against monarchal government in a
foreign country, for the purpose Of estab.
fishing one in this, around which they
might form band Of privileged mobiles.
OF this class, bold and forem ost stood Ad-
ans and Hamilton, and in their wake have
followed the leading federalists from that
day down to the present. Adams says
"The distinctions Of poor and rich are as
necessary in states Of considerable extent,
as labor and good government. The poor
are destined to labor, and the rich, by their
advantages Of education, independence and
leisure, are qualified for superior stations"
"A royal dignity is the most obvious thought
to extinguish ani,nosities' "Parties must
be upheld together by the constitutional
legal authority Of one man alone, possessed
Of the whole executive power Of the state,
and then If he,s taken off by death another
will succeed" Il only contend that the
English constitution, is in theory the most
sturend,us fabric, Of human vention;
and the Americans ought to be app'audedi
instead Of censured, for initiating it as far
as they have" ri shall show in another
place, that nobility or gentry, in popu.
lar government, not overbalancing it, il
the very he an1 soul Of it,"
Mr.. Hamilton scys, "The British gov.
eminent is the best in the world. Their
House Of Lords is noble institution. NJ
temporary Senate will have irmnes,
enough to answer the purpose. As to ths
execu,;; e it seems to be admitted that M
rood one coui1, te established on republi
can principles. The English modle W al
the only good one on the subject"
Touching the sovereignty Of the States
he says, "Even as corporations, the extent
Of them, as Virginia, Mass. SC. seemed t.
be formidable. AS STATES, they ought Il
Be abolished" "The general government
should appoint the governors ofthe States
with an absolute negative on the acts pass
ed BY the State legislatures" Gov. Nor
; ris, said Estate attachments and State i'm
portance had been the bane Of this country
We can not annihilate but we may perhaps
take out the teeth Of the .erpents."
!, On the proposition for fixing the basis
, Of representation s'One member to ever,
, forty thousand inhabitants" Morris sal,
. "He thought property ought TO be taken in
to the estimate, as well as The number o
inhabitants" Life and liberty were gen
orally said to be Of more value than prop
erty. An accurate view Of the matte
would, nevertheless, prove that prorert
was the main object Of society,"" AM
/ this same doctrine has been propagated b,
: the leading federalists Of the present age
In % convention to revise the constitution Q
Msss. Daniel Webster said, property j
the true basis and measure Of power. T
this sentiment entirely agree. 1t seem
to me to be plain that In the absense Of mil
i itarv Eorce. nolitical uower nnfur liz a.