Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1847-01-21


We are very far Gom regarding it objectionable
nn 10 have belonged the ranks of which such
names as George Washington and John Marshall are
Ioed Tor We believe that party magniy, in the periods
inensosi political excitement never vonured to doubt
their integrity their patriotism. Indeed this very
the most glowing oulogics be hcsped
upon the Of the iustrious "faher OF his county,,
by those who regard the appclaton OF .fe
drraist," Of which he not ashamed SYNONYMOUS
with hostility to iedoratve system of government based
upon the sovereignty OF the people, and restrained in its
action 10y written constitution
Those only who ignorant OF the history of par
the u. Staesther origin, their adverse systems of
policy, and the various transformations and notifications
which, under different names, both parties and systems
have undergone, since their original organzaon-can
gard the "lodora" in its Specification as one
rcproach However paradoXical may appear TO this
class o PERSONS who believe, constitute quite
cnh- OF those who claim be teachers Is.
racl' the often quoted declaration Mr. Jcfcrons nau.
Eura speech, IRE oil fcGeraliSts oil repub-
deans" but the onunciaton OF truth, sufficiently
pehcnsble by all, except perhaps by
gots. who know nothing OF terms, than that
they used designate great opposing parties
which, for about 20 years crcey struggled for ascendan
the councils Of the nation. But OF the questions
which originally divided those parties large number even
o the political controyersas OF the present day have
trey lost sight, who, consequently, repeat the phrase
like parrots has been put into their mouths. and with
a. le knowledge, when they 1t, Of the justice OF lite
application.
IL would he very easy show, by reference the ptin
cples OF constitutional construction which originally
stuted the wall of separation between the Republican
and Federal parties that, if atudnous Interpretation
Oi the national charter is q be the now, Of
old the Democrats Of the present day obno1
tous, and deserve larger share OF odium than Fcdc-
rals,s OF '9s. We that they thrown into
couvuisions when 1t is proposed incorporate Bank,
OF the
lead Of the puros and wiscs Of that day, despite
at Federal opposition, unhcsitatng'y chartered. We
know that they shrink aghasi from Protective Tariff
which the Federuss in the early periods o! the Govern
mont were less hostile vcs-ndeed which
many Of them, Mr. Websters Boston speech late
Ie22, often quoted by the Froerade party
bile in arguments proves continued oppose uu-
constitutional while the great Luminares Of "Mod
orn Democracy" such Jackson, Van Buren, Buchanan
Benton and Wright, zealousy sustaining
sure! They horror-slrcken, the sight OF R
er and Harbor bill, although the Constitution precisely
as explicit the grant OF authority make appropriations
Cor the protection OF domestic Of foreign commerce.
aud Notwithstanding bile identical only in principle
detail scattered through the book, with
the Of the disastrous the calendar
political saints whose shrine these elastic prucpcd
SiJnon-Pure daily worship. OF all this aware
These the three prominent proofs Of the devotion
the dominant party the resolutions OF 9s'99 These
cousii the Alpha and the Omega Of their political al
phabet-the and substance OF those "NR6NIA FRyc
rLf-," touching which, certain class Of puTi,ts, with
whom words things, will mouth through whole
hours OF yaPid defamation.
But let give the kaeidescope-and what do
we see The very who boggIe a Bank, who tlcm-
bic a Tariff and who deem it akin treason 10 remove
obstruction from river and Z dangerous
habor 4 safe ard commodious haven have no sort Of
scrupc when proposed violate the sovereignty Of
State By denying the Representatives Of It's people
- IL
bcm Of that sovereignty, the right in the Repre-
sentative Hall, and by installing their places other men
whose claims unaestod by the slightest legal or other
evidence Of right to occupy them.
They arc great s;ckers sanctity Of the Constitu
ton and demand that whenever Congress attempts
orcisc pnWor It shall be first show that tits
mated the bond tina, friends shall Pit their finger
upon clause by which the authority is conferred But
they have hesitation annexing this confeder6cy
foreign 10y Joint resolution Of the two Houses Of
Congress- power which, in any form, BY treaty.
imposing and suomn mode Of intercourse and
arrangement, Mr. Jefferson although under the pressure of
urgent necessity and Tor the accomplishment objects
of the graves, import, long hestaed exercise. and
which ho would have exercised wihou, previous
amendment the Constitution but the most and
imperative reasons, which IN the judgment Of the whole
country, justified, 1t emergency did, the assump-
OF grave responsibility Yet that act, Io face Of
Nj JcGogsons admission OF uncous tutonality
as-by mode OF proceeding which that precedent
does covcr-wiio the friends Of that measure srenu-
ousy deny the validity Of presidents regard other
aud less important questions Of national policy!
But again Not only have these strict cons,ructionists-
these champions Of the resolutions Of 9S-these mouthefs
Virginia pes-sancuoneds such Aaprsn breach
o. o. the Constitution compared with which the Bank
TaG AID Internal improvements in ticr bsoaIcst sense
all combined sink nsignfcauce,but what is at this
moment passing under obscryauon7 u raging
upon our Southwestern borders BY what means have VIC
become involved IN 1T HISS been DECLARED by Con-
g,,s only branch Of the government upon who hn
power has been conferred 10y the Consitulga Every
au knows that although began while Congress was m
session BODY had agency whatever IN originating
Do Ga the contrary, the President first communicated to
Congress The fact that tho strife Of arms had bcgun-and
up hs assumption Of power bring ng u on
dosglcdy aud Of malice aiorothought. by soz ng upon
Of country claimed, but possessed 10y Te1ss
aud which the nrr Of Mexico waved n undisputed
sovereignty be proclaimed aud hs serye followers echoed
tio dccfrauon that Do existed by the set Of Mckee"
We have thus tic President indeed deel1riag
asliHst McAicD-flaf would have been tatHer too
bold step even for the modern Democracy who
"ry,rh,i'4 e.aim for the Elesufipe powers infinitely
broader aud more comprehensive than those with which
tao old Federal party dreamed Of clothing
ai hC departments oi tho Government beIf combined
action. Tie odd not dseisrs war but hc wantonacss OF
u.u,.cl p0wtr hr made thc war inevitable by ordering
military movement which 'he fre ri1 Of hr War D.iar-
mont chow NOT necessary c defence of our own
t.rtr. um any auacs, made threatened by ho loree.
ol Mexico aud with bc uIl knowledge o. ale, ar.-f.f
bg tuac records, tat would br is uoes..a.y.,
st AMI 90 the progress O., ius conflict DIS orror cate -
bug something of tc Iavloss pint Boo which the contest OIL.
ruard. have played tbc part of staggering ProC on.u.
aba. dung existing governments end establishing new de-
t.nr treason oni threatening punish o. traitors Mc1can
cold 'rs found n oms resisting the invaders Of couu-
tr administering uatla OF nlcrance. organ,yipg ,r,r
tive legislative and Judicial tribunals and appointing Off.
Gers Co discharge their duu,s-n one word. aging the
1g itc small scale. And scr thc walch-dogs n Oh,
c.rruuuon-ihoy who porpoua.y praung NJ tho r..
,circ.. Of hat intrlmcntw swcaf most dcvoudy D.,