The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-03-02

~ We extract the following sensible and
seasonable remarks from the Memphis Appeal, a
very ably edited and independent paper. We
have repeatedly had occasion to comment on
this tendency towards atitudinous construction
on the part Of our politicians, and the almost
indefinite extension of the powers and privileges
Of the federal government which some Of them
advocate.
Never before was it so requisite for the Re-
publican party, sternly to adhere to strict con-
struction, as at this identical time.
IATIrUDINoUs CONSTRUCTION. - Amid the
cries Of @disynion," secession qualification"
&C., which of latanyears have been INDUCED in
the seeming turbulent disposition of some of
the States, resulting from desire and deter
mination to maintain their inherent rights and
liberties, we fear that the true and only real
danger to the integrity of the Union and the in
dependence of its constituent members, has
been lost sight of. This danger we conceive to
be the latitudnous range which all parties in
Congress, and more particularly the Wing, are
disposed to give the Constitution in their con
struction of that instrument The tenacity with
which its provisions were sacredly guarded in
the earlier days of the republic, by the wiser and
purer members Of the Republican party, seems
to be lost sight Of, and to get measure through
Congress now, it is only necessary to demon
strate its conceived necessity and find prece.
dent The limitations of the Constitution are
rarely consulted, and it cannot be longer dis
gused that the chief tendency, and the one to
be mostly deprecated, of this loose manner of
legislation, is to engraft upon our system Of
government Constitution similar to that Of
Great Britain Constitution not written, but
having grown out of the usages of the govern
ment and the enactments of Parliament
The impression is too prevalent that what
Congress has once done it may rightfully do
again, and the doctrine of precedent is slowly,
though no less surely, undermining the con.
servative rule of Jefferson, neper 10 exercise
doubtful potoer Ii the exigencies of the coun-
try demand the exercise of a power by Congress
which the Constitution does not warrant, it is
wiser, safer, and better to procure, by amend
ment, an express grant, than to bring the Con-
stitution into disrepute and insigni6cance by
eaping over its barriers. The enlightened
statesman cannot fail to see the evils that must
result from persistence in such policy, while
the true patriot will never fauter in his resist
ance TO it. To bring degradation upon the
States, and to dwarf them in their own esteem,
is its leading tendency, while another result is
the erection of the federal government into an
omnipotancy as uncomfortable as is the Russian
Autocrat With every advance made in this di
rection, the individual liberty of every citizen Is
proportionably diminished, and step by step, he
will eventually find himself not only robbed OF
his rights and independence, but even incapable
of appreciaiing and destitute of the spirit to de-
| fend them..
These Injections have been suggested by the
perusal of the following judicious and we'll.
timed article drawn from the Louisville Demo.
crdt, in reply TO one from the Journal:
The editor Of the Journal has dropped the
subject of making the Constitution accom-
plish IFS designed objects by pratical construc-
ton. He admitted that the language of the
Wing resolution was liable 10 misconstruction.
This was a good deal for our neighbor TO do
| but if he had told the whole truth Just as il ap.
peared 10 him, he would have said that the pro.
| per necessary construction Of the resolution
was liable 10 tine gravest objections; that il
swept away the Constitution Of the United
States, and all its limits, upon the power OF
Congress, and changed the federal government
| from a union Of independent States or particu-
lar objects 10 a consolidated government under
| the despotsm Of majority. This Is in accord
ance with Wing practice. That party never
find any obstacle in the Constitution 70 the nc.
complishment Of any desirable object; and we
may add, that less scruple on this subject than
should be, has obtained occasionally amongst
all parties; and in the earlier days Of this re.
/ public the necessity Of strict construction OF
the federal Constitution was not SO obvious as
Il is now. The smaller the area, and the less
diversified the interests, the more power the
general government may exercise. Our boun.
daries now extend from the Atlantic 10 the Pa.
cifc. They have few interests in common, and
on these few alone should the federal govern
ment act. Instead Of more and PRACTICAL
construction to accomplish the objects deemed
important in The discretion Of a msiority
the federal government should be more and
more scrupulous In the exercise Of lis power
This Union will never be in danger from the
non-action of Congress. The States are, how.
ever, now fully able TO manage almost all do.
nestle affairs; and Congress is less competent
10 the task than il was fifty years ago. The task
is far more difficult than il was in former years
Instead Of practical constructions 10 enlarge the
power Of Congress, the policy Of the statesman
should be to restrict the power to narrower