Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1845-02-08
ULTRA FEDERALIsTS !

We have stated, that heresies have sprung up
among the Wings of the present General Assem-
bly,, which ought TO stare every friend OF the
State Governments Among these is the theory,
boldly put forth by the Delegates OF Richmond
and of Powhatan, that they (the State Legisla-
Iure) ought not TO instruct their Senators-that
thew had no right 10 NEEDLE with Federal Reid
lions Astonishing and odious as this abstract
theory is, the Wings Of the House Of Delegates
are 10 fact carrying it into practice, by tortear-
ing" 0hey call I'D refusing, 1--WE call I'D 10
exercise The sovereign power OF the Stale TO
instruct (nay, in spirit oil compromise, The
Republicans waive, "torbear" that power, and
only ask them TO pronounce their opinions
but they (the Whigs) refuse TO express their
own opinions on great constitutional question
The majority of the Legislature Chat is, all The
Democrats and several Of the Wings, privately)
acknowledge that Texas may be cOnstit,o'AAy
admitted as State, by joint resolution OF
Congressman yet the Wings will not officially
say it. iby resolution, and carry out The &C
knowedged will OF the People, by means OF M.
Browns resolutions, the terms OF which they adj
nit, TOO, are perfectly proper and just. They VIII
moi exercise their power and say so, lest il might
embaTrass their Senator'S, or rather control their
votes, and thus gain US Texas. Instead declaring,
therefore, their own views, according TO the Gus
d
lion, they throw the responsibility upon their SER
wants at Washington and say let them speak
and vote for us and the Slate-knowing, al the
same time, that they will vote against the wishes
and voice Of Virginia. Such is The party spirit
of the WhgS-who have followed Mr. Clay, like
species OF ack-O'Lanlern, through boys and
morasses-first for Texas, and then against Tex
as, according as his six letters had been read and
construed BY his benighled and devoted followers.
And for this party, thus misled in their theory
and practice, because they are misled by their IN
triguing Idol, the People OF Virginia are 10 sut-
fer in their dearest interests.
The course Of the Wing politicians in The
House shows them up as Federaliss. They have /,
abandoned The great doctrine Of The Republican
faith, that 'the powers of The Federal Govern |
ment result from the compact 10 which the States !
are parties" and thus have right 10 inter
pose in great emergencies. But these gentlemen, |
who hold that the State Legislatures have no right /
to NEEDLE with Federal Relations, are ultra Fe- |
deralsts-because they 90 further than Ae1an-
der Hamilton himself who was The reputed head ,
OF the Federal party! Even he holds the follow
ing doctrine in his speech in the Convention Of
New York in 1855:
''Sir, the most powerful obstacle TO the members
oil Congress betrayipg the interests OF their con-
stituens, is the Stale Legislature themselves, who
VIII De 10HdlhS bodles ~ 0GseTpdHoh, possessing
the confidence OF the people. jealous of Federal
encroachments, and armed nth erery po,rer 10 edeck
Mr first essam Of hea1aery. They will institute
rtgalar mOdes Of enquiry. The complicated do.
nestle attachments which subsist between the
State Legislators and their Electors, will ever
male Item rigiant guardians Of the peoples rights.
Possessed OF the means and the disposition Of re-
sistanee the spirit of opposition will be easily
communicated 10 the people, and under the con-
duct of an organized body of leaders, wN act
,rith wcigh and system. Thus il appears that The
very structure Of The Conlederacy affords The
surest representatives. from error, and the most
powerful checks 10 misconduct"
And yet, this immense lever TO be used for The
benefit OF the States, according 10 Alexander
Hamilton himself, is now to be shamclessly sur
rendered by the Wings OF Virginia. They sub
missively tell Mcssrs. Archer and Rves (put
as they were into power on the ,empes,uous tide OF
pary) do as you please-constiue the Cons-
luton as your list. We, who ought 10 be the
rigilaa guardians Of The pcople's rights, submit
them 10 your mercy, your passions, your preju-
dices, your party spirit J" People OF Virginia
what do you think OF the vgilanl guardians Of
your rights and OF the two visiIan, shepherds, to
whom the Wings OF The Legislature OF Virginia
would unqualifedly trust The whole flock