Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1845-05-06
PROSPECTUS
FOR PUBLISHING AT WASHINGTON a NEWS
PAPER, TO BIZ CALLED
THE "UNION."
PROSPECTUS
TO TIE puRLLC.

Riyes the whole establishment Of the Globe, We
propose publishing at Washington paper, 10 be
STYLED THE "UNION."
We approach the task before us with deep
sense Of The responsibility which We are about 10
assume. and not without much ditlidencc oi ouI
qualifications. We have some acquaintance, m
deed with The duties Of an editor OF newspaper,
but il was acquired upon other theatres, much
more limited and less conspicuous than The Me-
lropolis oil our cohiede1ated ana widespread ne
public ;,
We can scarcely be charged with any inord'-
nate vanity in saying, that upon the success OF
our institutions depends ina great degree the des-
tiny of the oldest countries Of Europe. A DIS
tant rosterly has deep interest in our fate. The
blessings of liberty are essential 10 The prosperity
of the whole human race; and where are they
spread out on So large field OF action, or illus
trared BY so many brilliant examples as in these
United States!
We have only TO realize them in our own his
tory. and in the happiness ofour people, to spread
the flame OF Liberty over the EASTERN WORLD.
We have only 10 perpe,uate these blessings by
nreserving the sacred Union of our States, and
there IS no assignabe limit 10 The prosperity which
We may enjoy, or the glories 10 which we may
ascend in The scale of Nations. We have alrea-
dy wrought miracles enough 10 aslonish The TO-
reign tourist amid all his prejudceS, and 10 Al
tract the curiosity, il not the admiration, OF Eu
rope. We have displayed The benefits of LIBERTY
and of UNION in series OF phenomena, which
are almos, calculated 10 surprise ourselves
What can br more remarkable, even in the pre-
sent dav. than the spirit of enterprise and inn
proveu,ent which pervades our Staies-.he schools
which they are erecting; the canals which they
have executed The more than 1000 miles OF rail
way which they have constructed IN less than
twenty years; the immense bodies OF land which
they have redeemed from the wilderness; The
towns which they have strewn over the West,
The multiplication Of our people from three TO
twenty millions of souls; the augmentation oi Inc
number Of our STATE, from thirteen TO twenty
nine, including the three new States OF Florida,
Iowa and Texas, which, as we write, We hope arc
now probably starting INTO existence?
Westward the course OF empire takes lis way
The firsl four acts already past,
A fifth shall close the drama with the day,
Times noblesl offspring is The lasI.
II is principally The influence OF The Free lnstl-
lulions We possess. and which were never dream
ci OF more than hundred years ago, by The phi
losophic author OF these beautiful lines, that has
wrought 50 MANY achievements here. Liberty
exctes man 10 think for himself, 10 cast on anti
oualed preindices, and 10 start in new career OF
Improvement. Ii opens besides in this new coun-
nv as il were. nsw asylum 10 the oppressed OF
all nations, which in despite of the "Native A me-
rcan" rreludices Of the day, still continues 10
invite other people 10 cultivate orr lands, ana
contribute 10 progress. IL is our Tree in>tiiu-
tons more than any other canse, which are draw
ING ";he course Of empire 10 the WE>TERS
WORLD.
We live, too, in an extraordinary age. I'm
pTovemenl seems 10 be the order OF the day. Sci
ence is shooting forth in all directions. An Is
obtaining the most brilliant lIiumrhs over Ma
ruRE The age is advancing with the impe!to-
sity of steam, 10 which it is SO much indebted for
its progress. Commerce is expanding her wings
under The impulse OF a new and stronger princi-
nile. There seems indeed 10 be no limit 10 the
progress Of discovery. And il is in the midst Of
such an age, and at the metropolis oil this great
country. that we are about 10 erect our tent tor
the responsible purpose OF maintaining The true
principles OF our institutions. We almost shrink
back from the enterprise we have undertaken.-
But we at least bring To the task 4 spirit that is de-
voted to LIBERTY, 10 UNION, and 10 our COUNTRY;
a heart that is proud Of the name Of AMERICAN
some little experience in Uurbu>iness-a yea that
nothing can slbdue, and an industry that fears no
labor. With these feelings we come 10 throw our
selves upon the lberal,y OF our counrymen.-
We trust that We shall receive, il we deserve,
their support. If we fail in an enterprise which
might almost appal the s;ouiest spirit, they will al
least be liberal enough 10 ascribe it 10 the want
of power. and mol OF wilI-to the head that guides
us, and no, 10 the heart that impels MS.
OF one thing we may confidently assure the
public-we approach the task with the deepest
reverence for the true theory Of our political in
.titulions. Our coniederaied RErrB,Ic is making
new and bold experiment in The SCIENCE OF Go
vrESMEST When we look 10 the original form
Of The Constitution we are indeed struck with lis
novelty and beauty. We see in il an attempt 10
ascertain how far power can be 80 distributed
between two GOVERNMENTS as y prevent an En-
reSsirc concentration, and consequent abuse oil u,
in the Federal ARM al The same time that 50 mnch
porr was conveyed 10 each, as TO enable them 10
accomplish The objects 10 which each Of them was
best adapted.
The FEDERAL. Government was priRctp0Np 10
watch over our Foreign Relations; tint of the
States was particularly 10 take care OF our internal
concerns.
The Federal Government should have adequate
powers 10 maintain the peace and the rights oihe
Union abroad; but al home lis office is 10 assist III
binding the Union together b. the benefits which
il showers around H. within certain prescribed
Iims-leaving the great mass focal matters 10
the jurisdiction of the STATES, which can better
understand and more properly regulate lhem.-
Keeping this general distinction IN view, the Con.
stulion has marked down the limits OF the Fece
ra power, and il should be the duty of us auhori
lies relisiousy 10 preserve them. Dissolution on
the one hand, and consolidation on the other,
being the extremes which are TO be carefully
avoided; the Constitution was so framed, and the
Government should be SO administered, as whilst
the Federal power exercises its Legitimate func-
tons il should sacred!y respect the RIGHTS OF the
States and the rights of the People. The Federal
Government must therefore, ever remember, that
il has only certain limited powers, which are
either specified in the Constitution ITSELF or which
may be necessary and proper" for carrying out
the specified powers l. cannot pass these limits
with impunity II cannot inierpGIate any powers
by forced or factions construction, without pro-
ducins some opposition from the parties 10 The
compact, or some remonS,rance from the People.
1t would never do, indeed, TO give an unlimited
power 10 The Federal head, over the local interests
of the several parts Our country covers an eX-
tcnsive empire II embraces great variety OF
climates and soils, OF occupations an OF interests
The obvious danger of loo much Federal Iegisla.
ton is, of course that il may affect hese different,
interests in a very unequal degree. Whilst il
seeks to administer benefits 10 one section, il NAV
impose burdens upon another. Nor does The
mischief terminate here. inequality produce;
complaint. The suffering States become disSa-
iisfed. One section not only mnrmllfS about The
partially shown 10 another, but against the Go
vermont which commits il. The Union itself is
less respected because Of The injustice which il
displays. The only way OF preventing these in
juries and these complaints is, 10 administer The
Government within The limitations OF The inslru-
menl, and in spirit which is calculated 10 equa-
lize as far as possible itsbenets and its bulhens
amongst The whole UNION. In no other way can
we prevent the Federal Government from rush.
ing into schemes OF consolidation, or the States
into tendency towards dissolution. If We per-
nit the Federal Government, systematically 10
adopt any rule Of construction, which may en-
large its powers at the expense oil the States Of
the people-if Congress may adopt any measure
which they may fancy 10 be necessary and pro-
per-" then power may be SO augmented as, in the
progress OF time, TO amount TO consolidation
IHen, we mus, extend the Executive Department
10 carry out these extended powers; idea as one
of the celebrated resolutions of one of the frs,
inv tho Union Sho,rpI in 100 chouI} f,ra