Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1850-02-22

nj (x0ynrnmpnt.
tine eYsts t changed BY explicit and authentic act Of
rho whole neopc s sacredy obligatory upon ALL Inc very
idea Of the bower and the right of the people establish 60
yernment, pre-supposes Inc uu's VI every hui'' " '
| the established Government ,,..
All distractions 10 the execution OF the laws an commune
tons and associations under wha'eVsf pausioe w.
with the real design 10 Direct coo aod u,hori,ies
regular deiberation and action OF the CONSTITUTED
are destructive 10 its fundamental principle ana OF ia'a
dcncy They serve organize action 10 give u an
ca and extraordinary force put the place Oh te oec
gated ~ o the nation the will OF party often small ou'
artfn and en,o,p.sina minority q The community anu a.
cordinp TO the alternate umphs oil different Pales ~
The uubc administration the mirror OF the au
nroects of faction rather than the organ oi con-
sstenI and wholesome plans digesed by common counse
and modified b. mutual interests. -, r. ,h chow. do
However combinations associations oil inc ABOVE oe
scripton NAV now and then answer popular enus ey arc
likely in the course OF time and things 10 become poe
engines by which cunning ahoillous ana "a
for themselves the reins Of Governments destroying
ds the very engines which had lifted them TO u
just dominion ~ * x o.,on, and N,
OF your present happy il s requisite no
onv tina, vo steadily dscounenance Irregular opposons
its authority but also that you resist WIN cart
the snt If innovation upon its principles however specou
the nreeY One method OF assault may be 10 effect III t
forms of the Constitution alterations ~hien win
be directly oyehrown In all the changes to which YOU
NAV be invited remember that time and habit are at least a.
necessary 10 fix the true character Of governments Do
other human institutions that experience is the suest sah
dad by which 10 the real tendency OF the existing con
stituon of country the facility in changes upon the
credit of mere hypothesis and opinion exposes TO pepe
change from the endless variety of hypothesis and opinion
and remembe especially that for the efficient management
of your interests in country SO extensive as our
Government of much vgo as is consistent WIN ne
perfect security OF liberty is Indispensable Liberty llseL
will find in such Government, with powers properly Gis
bu,ed and adjusted Its surest guardian IL Is neeeu Ut
M else than name where the Government Is too feebe te
Withstand the enterprises Of faction 10 conne each member
OF the society within the limits prescribed by the laws ao
maintain all in the secure ana Tranquil enjoyment vi "s
rights of person and property.
have already nimated you the danger Of parties IN
the State with particular reference 10 the founding oil the
on geographical determinations Let me now lake more
comDrehcnsve view, and you in the most solemn man
ne against banef effects Of the spirit oil party genera
This spirit unfortunately, is nseparable from our nature
having its the strongest passions OF the human nina
Ii exists under different shapes in all Governments more OF
less sed controlled repressed but in those OF the Pop
lar form il is in its greatest ankness ana Is truly e
worst enemy
The alternate domination of faction over another
arpened by the spirit of revenge natural TO party osse
sion which, in different and countries has perpetratee
the most hord enomitics is itself irlghul despotlsn
But this leads at length TO more formal and permanent
desposm The disorders and misees which result gradu
ay incline the minds of seek security and repose IL
the absolute power OF an individual and sooner or later t
chief Of prevailing faction more able or more tortu
nate than his competitors turns this disposition 10 the pu
poses of his own elevation the ruins Of public liberty
Withou, looking forward TO an extremity OF this KIND
(Which, nevertheless, ought not TO be entirely out OF gh'
the common and continual mschefs of the spirit OF party
sufficient make it the interest and duty OF wise people
10 discourage and restrain IT,
|
feeble the public administrations Ii agltaes the commnii.
with ifounded eaouses and false alarms kindles the ami
mostly of part againt another; fomens occasionally
riot and nsurrecton II opens the door 10 foreign influence
and corruption which find facilitated access 10 the Gov
eminent ITSELF through the channels OF party passions hs
the policy and the will of country subjected 10 the
policy and will OF another
There is opinion that parties IN tree countries are
useful checks upon the administration of the Government
and serve keep alive the spirit OF liberty This within
certain limits is probably and in Governments OF
monarchical cast patriotism may look with indulgence,
not with favor upon the spirit of party But in those OF the
popular character in Governments purely elective It is
spirit no; 10 be encouraged From their natural tendency
il certain there will always be enough of that spirit for
sautay purpose And there being danger
of excess the effort ought be- by force OF public opinion
10 mitigate and 1t, fire to be quenched it de-
,nands uniform vigilance prevent its bursting into a
flame lest, instead Of warming, II should consume.
Ii is important likewise, that the habit OF thinking, in
free country should inspire caution in those Entrusted with
It's administration conne themselves within their respec-
tive constitutional Spheres avoiding in the exercise Of the
oowe-s OF one department, encroach upon another The
spirit tends consolidate the powers OF
the departments in one and thus 10 create whatever the
form OF Government real despotiE. Just estimate OF
love OF power and proneness abuse which predom-
in the human heart is sufficient to satisfy US OF the
truth OF this position The necessity OF reciprocal checks in
the exercise Of political power, by dividing and distributing
il into different repositories and constituting each the guar
dian Of the public veal against nvasons BY The Others has
oeea evinced by experiments ancient and modern; some Of
them in our country, and under our own eyes. To
preserve them 5c necessary TO institute them IT,
the opinion OF the people, the distribution or modification
the constitutional powers be- in any particular wrong
let II be corrected BY amendment in the way which the
Constitution dcsignaes But let there be change by usur
paon though this in instance, may be The nsu-
ment of good it s the customary weapon by which free
Governments are destroyed The precedent always
greatly ovebaance, in permanent evil any partial or tran
sient benefit which the can, at any time yield.
OF all the dispositions and habits which lead TO political
prosperity religion and morality indispensable sup
ports. In vain would that man claim the tribute OF patriot
ISM who should labor subver these great pillars Of hui
man happiness these rnest props Of the duties Of
nd if
man. ought respect and TO cherish them volume could
all their connexions with private and public ie-
ciiy Let il simply be asked where is the security for
property for reputation for life if the of religious OBJ
legation desert the oahs which the instruments Of nvos
igaton in courts Of Juslicel And let US with caution in
dusc the suppostion that morality can DC maintained with
out religion Whatever may BE conceded 10 The influence OF
refined education minds OF peculiar structure reason and
experience both forbid us TO expect that national morality
can prevail in exclusion of religious principles
IL is substantially true that virtue or morality IS neces-
sary spring for popular Government The rule indeed en-
tends with more or less force to every species OF ee
Who, that is sincere friend to H. can look WIN
indifference upon attempts TO s.ake The ounoaton OF the
tabricl
Promote then as an object Of primary importance nsti-
u,ions Of the general diffusion Of knowledge. In proper
ton as the of Government gives force 10 public
opinion is essential that public opinion should be enlght
ened
As ynportan source oil strength and security, cher
sh public credit One method Of preserving II is TO use il
sparnEy as possibe avoiding occasions OF expense by
cuitivaung peace but remembering also that timely dis
ou!scmens 10 prepare for danger frequently prevent much
disbursements 10 rcpe il; avoiding likewise the
emulation Of debt not only by stunning occasions of
pen.e but BY vigorous cXeon in time peace discharge
the debts which unavoidable have occasoned
MOI anonymously throwing upon postery the burden which
we ourselves ought bear The execution of these
inns belongs your representatives but necessary that
public opinion should cooperate. 70 facilitate them til,
performance OF their duty, ii is essential that you should
practically bear mind that towards the payment of debts
there he revenue; that TO have there must be
taxes that be devised which not more OF
less nconvcnen and unpeasant that the intrinsic embar
nseparab from the selection Of the proper objects
(Which is always choice OF difcues ought TO be de-
csve motive for candid construction OF the conduct Of
the Government in making it, and for spirit of asquies
n the for obtaining which the public
exigencies may any time dictate.
Observe good faith and justice towards all nations; cult
Join this conduct; and be that good policy does not
equally enlou il twill be worthy Of free, enlightened
and distant period great nation 10 give tonankind
the snanious and TOO move. example Of people always
guided by exalted justice and 5encvolcnce WHO can
uou5i that the Of time and things the fruits OF
such plan would richly repay any temporary advantages
which might be lost by steady adherence 10 Can il
De that Providence has connected the permanent felicity
OF nation with its virtue The experiment least is
commended by every sentiment which enuobles human
tu.e. Alas isl rendered impossible By its vccs
In the of such plan, nothing essential
than that permanent inveterne artpathcs against parcu
lar nations and passionate attachments Of others, should
be excluded and that in place of them Just and ancabe