Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1854-04-07
GENERALIZATION.

GENERALIZATION.
The apprehension with which the agsrandzsment OF nc
Fedenl Government is regarded by men VINO hoa JUDI
theory OF our political system Is aonnoanuy ulhea oy
successive instances OF Legislative encfoacameh anu H"
ecuye nsurpaton There have with ssRacity TO
discern and courage TO expose and esls the centrazng
tendency In political institutions "hen deVTopsd 10 s
fasrau and offensive form. There 49, however, par
culaI manifestation of this vice. "hlch o5log YES obvious
and aggressive in lis opostlon has escaped fne censue
which lis MALIGNANT, and dangerous character should pro-
woke.
Ia this country public opinion poverbaly omnipotrnt
LEGISLATION Is but tho expression of The popular will What
soeyer ,herefpre gives shape aud direction public opin
ion exer,s an important Influence the policy Of The
vernment.
Tho lime was when the separate governments OF the
States were thought bo coequa In dignity and power
with the Federal Government The time was, when the
ton of the Virginia Legislature sensiby felt and anx
iousy anticipated throughout the conederacy The time
was when every great impulse OF public sentiment had liz
origin In the States, aud the government at Washington was
but the weahercock which indicated the coufee OF the
beezs. Then the Federal metropolis the gulf nto
which of popular feeling discharged themselves
and not the spring Of public opinion and pou
cal influence. Then the politicians a. Washington, SO far
from controlling and directing the sentiment OF the county,
but its slaves and obedent and their chief
anxiety and ambition were clearly 10 discern and faithfully
10 execute the independent opinion Of the peoples
How different aspect things wear at present, any man
may ascertain by single glance moElenrs cons!deFa
too. The States In comparison with the Federal Govern
ment have sunk tho level OF dependent and tributary
provinces. They display Of The dignity they COM
mand OF the respect Of sovereign and independent COM
munes. Whatever may be their theoretical positlon and
function In our system of government they well nigh
,hao nf
the departments 10 France Their chief magistrates neither
claim nor enjoy The distinction Justly due their positions
aud their Legislatures have be thought OF scarcely
more Importance village debating clubsa result which
they pecipated upon themselves BY the dcmasogc con.
trivancs Of biennial sessions Before the States were
dwaed by the spreading and deepening shadow OF central
power the memorable year Of l799 Virginia. ey her po
tent voice arrested the march of Federal but
now the voice of Virginia equally contemned aud dlsre
garded whether hear In mild expostuation or del mt men,
ace Once Of senatorial fume were content 10
win the favor of county constituency but now oil but
the highest Offices in tho States tbs prize OF mean ao
~ or the stepping of young smbon National rep
utaon and Federal office epgross the care and consics!a
ton of men of competent capacity and eminent name.
The sound aud sautary public sentiment which, matured
the States and expressed In the honest and emphatic
language of tho people, controlled the policy OF the
government has been superseded by the artificial and do
usive counterfeit Of popular opinion which the politicians
in Washington impose upon the country. Washington has
become tho fountain of honor and the OF power
To Washington the eyes Of the ''nation arc turned 10
eager anxiety To Washington the needy advenurer re-
pairs 10 quest Of fortune. from Washington tho rays of
intelligence illuminate the and and from Washington flow
the refreshing of patronage. The country Is gov
erued by Washington Not despotc Ia the rue OF The
Parsau popuacc France Than the rule of Washing
ton politicians over this conederacy They are The true
Warwicks Of the age-they pull down and set up Mey
bind and oose they and undo They are the august
whom tho people must behold and applaud al the
oussestlon of the confidential prompier
This is not exagge:aon but sober reality Ihe evil we
sares US 10 face and presses our Senses We
cannot blink it; neither extenuute by delicate
apology There is but remedy that in the exclusive
possession u the people, The despotc supremacy OF the
politicians In Washington is much the cause as II Is Inc
fleet of Federal usuypation and central consolidation II
the people will resolve think for themselves and act io
themselves they will the power and considera
ton of which they been beet As long as they suo
mi, 10 the dctuon of the politicians In Washington, as
long as they are conen, accept aud to reject measures
public policy without on and reflection and bend
in serye alteration before the judgment OF men who are al
hest but their and representatives. they ore MOI
worthy the privileges Of cemen and they must mol expect
The consideration which Ia accorded only manly indepen
dence.