Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1851-04-29
To Col. ions N. BrREB, Wilcox county.
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STRICT CONSTRUCTION.

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The Republic copies tho following paragraphs from the
nr Number of tine Democratic Review which 1t says are
usufficieny precise and distinct" and which shew that the
Review has taken sides with the Union and its allies IN ar
earnest and decided opposition to the policy OF River and
| Harbor Improvements: :"
"The bravery and devotion OF the Democratic members
the last Congress- who earessy resisted at all hazaros
scheme of internal improvements which would ultmael!
abstrac, hundreds of millions from the treasury and conso
date the Federal Government as tne m9neyeo ns,a VI W,
nation cannot be 100 much admired. inc
that struggle were, however, onlnous
W the last Congress has not decidedly swerved from these
leading and conceive mmutable principles II mas mo-
decidedly and firmly, in former years. Iepudatso those
meo res which tend recognise the fostering hand OF gov
ernment as essential to national progress True 49, as
have before inmaed, that those bills when IN neli
spirit violated in the marked manner the old policy OF
the Democratic party failed TO pass and the last session 'c
messed toleards lis close rsbtc deepening the ola parry
lines which at one time showed signs OF obiteraion
firm adherence to the voluntary principle in all matters OF
internal Improvement popular industry, and commercial
enterprise Joined profound respect for minority
must form the foundation OF party as wen as natona wei
fare"
The Republic further comments upon Mr. Buchanan's
letter to the Southern Rights Association OF this city, de-
nouncng high protective tariffs and wasefu system OF IN
,ernal improvements forever cutting him on from the
support Of his State and the great West Inc Union
however vouches the record OF Democratic meetings IN
Pennsylvania and the testimony of the Democratic press
generally us sustaining the Virginia platform laid down In
his letter. That platform is so compact and saie mat we
once lay before readers. Mr. Buchanan says
The Association do me no than justice, when attribu
ting strong desire for the maintenance OF the Con-
stiiuon and the union of the States in their original purity
Whilst few men in this country would venture 10 avow on
ferent sentiment yet the question still remains by VIVA
means this aimporant purpose be best accomplished
feel hesitation in answering by return to the old VIZ
GINA platform OF State rights prescribed by the resolutions
of 1893 and 49, and Mr. Madsons report The powers con
ferred by the Constitution upon the General Government
must be construed strictly and Congress must abstain from
I otln .Fpl n 10
arc mere unmeuDng absractonsand 30 they are unless
honestly Carried into practice. Like the Christians faith
however when is genuine good works VIII inevitably no"
from sincere belief in such strict construction Oh inc Con
slituon
Were this old republican principle adopted in practice we
should no longer witness and dangerous at
rempts in Congress Interfere with the institution OF donles
tic slavery which belongs exclusively TO the States where
exsts-there would be efforts to establish high protective
,arifs-,he public money would not be .quandeed upon
general system Of internal improvements, general IN NAME
cut partial in its very and coruptg in lis tendency
both 10 the government and the peoples and we would re.
trench present cxavgant expenditures pay our national
debt and the practice OF wise economy SO essen
tal public and private prosperity Were permitted
TO address Association these are the counses shoud
give and some the topics should discuss as the best
"r the both of the Constitution and the
Union OF the States their original purity and for the per-
pctuation Of our great and glorious conederacy.
These sentiments, proud see, have met with
cordial response from the Democratic presses, North and
South. The Delaware Gazette says:
A NogLE LETTER.-ln these degenerate and prof;gate
days, il is truly refreshing fall in with single mari
who TO have his eye set upon The only beacons
and lights which cam by any possibility guide the
STATE safey through the shoals and rocks by which
every side surrounded
In view Of this fact present with common pleasure
the following clear succnc and bold letter OF JAMES BucH-
ANAS readers with the single remark that if The UNION
be preserved il only be done by strict adherence
to the long acknowledged policy OF the Government and the
established principles of the Democratic party-viz strict
Magma Carta THE VIRGINIA RESOLUTIONS Of 1898 and the
firm maintenance OF the Rights OF the States in all cases.
The Savannah Georgian, strong contemporaries paper
indrgcs in the following Mr. Buchanans letter
From his letter. it will be that his hopes for the
Union and the Constitution rather the Constitution and
the Union rest formerly upon the Democratic party
the true Constitutional party of the Country" Ii is By
guiding ship OF State by the old Stale Rights Democrat
c principles of Jefferson and her BY the
chart which the Republican Democracy OF Virginia in 79s-
90 laid downfall he would her from being wrecked
How confident arc that in this he is right Most assn
edv do we believe that abolition is but the oshoot of Fed
raj Whiggery ana Of the consolidation doctrines of Adams
and Webster.
Rights of the will can much longer be preserved
If however they should be- have doubt that il will be
done by taking the out OF the hands of the Fed
era,ts who under the name of Wings now control it, and
pacipp II under the charge Of men who will administer il
upon the State Rights Republican principles Of Jefferson
come out 40 distinctly in behalf of these doctrines II We
believed which confess we do NOT that majority OF the
Northern people could be rallied 10 their support We should
By the way we that OF the Wing papers, perhaps
should say late Wing papers this State he Macon Journal
is in favor of Mr. Buchanan for the Presidency This
us truly gatiiyng only wish all of them would take the
same position What an advance in the right direction
men TO get from the support Of Fillmore the support
Buchanan Without committing ourselves in his favor, we
should rejoice opponents sustaining him. us in do
ing So they would be doing much better for their country
than we had any reason expect OF them But we fear tina
The Journals motion is ein We do not seconded
by the Republican of this city, The Chronicle of Augusta
the Inquirer of Columbus. How is this Is Mr. Buchan
ans advocacy of The line of &c. go for the division of Cali
forna between the North and South, an insuperabe obec
ton him. on the part OF these presses We hope