Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1850-06-04

NORFOLK, MsY q. ls50.
Alr have 10 acknowledge lhc receipt OF vou
s" o' the lih instant, ami reply 10 Il IS speedily as the
Afh!'ies "l age viii permit 10 do 80. Let me- begin TIL,
rep by assuring You that apology was necessary tor any
communication You may choose 10 make 10 ie n time
especially in regard any question that YOU may hin;
pubic Importance. regret be- compelled 10 say, however
at my years and the sccuSon in which live keep
lar bend ihe Tines 10 the facts which every statesman
s''ouid always Keep in view when called upon act
even To- express an opinion in relation 10 matters o pract
cal politics. still retain strong prediction Tor politics
n science, anu not unifeqgtntly review tie theories
formed in reference 10 it, when much younge!
man Occasionally indeed compare The conclusions To
winch these theories lead with those that are announ-
ced Us the opinions OF others and when they do not concur
take II iar granted that facts unknown me are
the disturbing causes to which tho discrepancy ought
referred
But there Is one class OF political questions concerning
which the professor in his lecture room and the statesman in
his Cabinet ought disagreeI mean questions inyo
wing the construction OF the constitution These are an!
ever must be mere distractions. Whether guilty o
sonr specified crime or i entitled property which
he cams may involve facts Of great practical importance
the PARTIES but the nature of the crime with which is
charged ana The truth OF the principles upon which CHIN
oi depends pure distractions that will equally
certain whether be guilty or not guilty or The claim OF
be- affirmed denied So III regard the constitution
Grant that any particular power is conferred by upon an,
department ol the government and the question whether Mn,
granted power ongh 10 be exercised becomes question
expeilcncy 10 be decided by practical statesmen ACCORDING
la the circumstances OF each particular case Bu, adm
that the constitution does conce!e such power and
| the question oi exiedicncy arise.
Under this aspect only have considered the qucs
tons presented BY the report tie Committee o Thirteen
suggesting the plan OF compromise have never .rcn
that report ia eriensO" and have little knowledge
many Of The facts which il necessarily lst-
~ ne IN forming any opinion as - these facts Bu al
~ the subject involves the construction Of the constitutions
50 far rs il presents question Of constitutional law apart
from any n1u Ia the expedi.ncy OF the proposed
promise have carefully examined it, and have formed
decided opinion. This opinion is that the constitution
not cohi.r upon Congress any authority 10 enlarge
'act Its grants oi power BY any concessions COMPROMISES,
/ y other
pcty cf usng questions interest by compromises and
III many other modes rely acknowledge that have never
yet been able 10 comprehend how questions oi constitutional
rights could properly he treated especially by those
Gpw,d "ih tucarv powers only IL il i supposed that
the results ol compromise Of constitutional principles he
.quipoIcnt with te provisions oi The constitution IL
sell, then The compromise is IN nth amendment of the
constitution amendment Of this instrument, too, By
those 0 whom il has positively denied tie power Of making
any amendment whatever. And it the compromise has
such effect bu. is regarded legislative act which
like all other such acts is repealabc The will oil the
ority then the compromise becomes temporary expedient
~ postpone troublesome subject, until the MAJORITY, by
means o This very compromise, shall acquire sufficient
strength enforce other and them better bargain
la the one ease gross assumption Of power not grant
cd but denied and III the other il would be perpetual
abandonment of important rights in consideration Of sup
posed security of comparatively nconsderabc interests
The Missouri compromise furnishes strong Illustration
this truth
There many other serious objections the plan the
proposed compromise ii | understand II rightly. have
neither time nor strength sufficient u ennmeate hese.-
There Is however strong in itself o render such
an enumeration unnecessary think IL would be Il palpa
bic violation of the public faith pledged II Texas the time
VI her admission into the Union ii II proposes strip her
without her consent Of large portion Of territory admitted
hers in order exc the promised consideration
the South; and il her previous consent 10 such dismembe
be required the time and mode OF giving ii are cil ~
Texas So that the contemp lated compromise, while il is
be executed once far il nlures the South is left
contingent and cyccuory far the South may hope
derive any benefit from il hereafter.
Entertaining these opinions could never yield my
the proposed compromise whatever might think OF lis
l H.
notions OF abstractionis viii never have any influence
upon public opinion in regard 10 questions supposed to in
yovc great public interests All feel although but few
and with the mass the impulses OF the passing hour
sill overule the most wise suggestions as 10
known future. Hence, while for my amusement
y continue build nv ''chateau Espagne il is
iih such conviction of the nmtily of the work that
long ceased trouble anybody else with an .planaon
al its object design.
An ardent friend Of the union Of the States, and
time sincere believer in the efficacy oi the federal cons
rnon preserve that union and with the freedom Of
citizens long since discovered that neither the the
ocr OF these objects could be attained by any paper
Guarantees Unwilling however, abandon entirely niy
original convictions next INDUCED the hope thai the di
vcrsitlcs existing in the social organization Of the different
States would bind the minority together by the strong
mcut of similar interests and would enable il to resist sue
rcssiuy any important cncoachncnt upon lis equal rights
ta, the ority would certainly attempt But, when ia
natcsn reared its head among as no human sasacity
ca measure its force lost all confidence in my former
calculations; and convinced that although this
eminent under temporary notifications Of it, effected
hy construction compromises and concessions will last be-
yond the short space OF the life OF very old man, the next
generation will surely witness its annihiiaon
In the Old World in the New political power is al
ways stealing from the many 10 the few There this diff
ference, however in the Two There tie many who
are dcspoed but small portion Of the whole while here,
il i, the whole who are robbed for the benefit of
aus Interested majority. You, sir, young enough t"
witness probably many OF Tie results o such arsliion
In it, first page will exhibit the simple government OF
IN unchecked majority acknowledging no restraint upon
It's absolute wi-oi a majority proclaimng that there is a
Iw higher than the constitution they have sworn TO sup
port which higher law they are the only true eXpos
But my paper warns ME 10 bring this dun pros!ng 10
an end. .
These sir are the deliberate opinion. of an old man with
whom time ha. long since exneushed all interest in the
administration OF public affairs They given 10
only because have requested tcn and pray you to
excuse the very awkward mannern which they expressed
Bu write with great difficulty and should delay my
ply Ia your letter too long il ] was To copy il.
! servant LTTTN w. TAZEWEI.L,
Hon H. ). Footc, Of the Senate OF the United States.
WAsmSGroS, MAY 80, 1880
Nix DEAR Your gracious response 10 my recent
letter. asking your opinion of tie plan OF adjustment lately
reported to tho Senate by the special Committee of Thr
ecn has been for several days before me- and should have
at amuch earlier period but for the pressure
o official duties OF not 10 be neglected and serious
physical ndsposition which almost lncapacated me oi
every sort of labor. =.
with no ordinary satisfaction that declare my cordial
ot all the general doctrines cea sci fo
in your letter; aud most happy 10 perceive that you
still adhere strenuousy 10 the stricconsucton STATE
rbts creed the maintenance OF which have IN ioreF
ays contributed efficiently when consolidation IN
MI its terrific phases, threatening TO subver to the
very foundations the whole fabric OF our constitution
Guarded system civil liberty The language which you
employ i your letter and the sentiments which you
,vow seem il were TO take ue back most 'oyous
v IA that happier era in our national history when ht
nraanic law was regarded by that class of Virginia states
men to whom nearly aquarter OF century the ms
federal authority committed too sacred 10 be vioate'
bv direct attack or undermined by insios hostility I'm
der the strong light which your mind has shed npot t
question prime pay discussed in your letter. how poor an'
con,enptbc appears the false logic Of those who conten'