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Editorial
January 5, 1841
Alexandria Gazette
Alexandria, Alexandria County, District Of Columbia
What is this article about?
An editorial argues that increasing salaries for state officers is essential to counter federal centralism, preserve state rights, and attract capable individuals, referencing Patrick Henry's warnings against the Constitution's monarchical tendencies.
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Full Text
SALARIES OF STATE OFFICERS.—The experience of fifty years has proved that there is a decided tendency to centralism and well to consolidate itself, in the working of our Federal system—the immortal Henry proclaimed in the Virginia Convention, that the Constitution had a squinting, an awful squinting to monarchy! and it behooves every Republican ever to bear in mind his prophetic warning.
We are among those who solemnly believe that an increase of the salaries of State Officers is essentially important, in truth as almost indispensably necessary to the preservation of State Rights.
So long as State employments are regarded as subordinate in dignity and emolument, will State Rights be regarded as subordinate in importance, and State Sovereignty and power be held in contempt.
If the States desire to preserve unimpaired their own reserved rights, how is this to be effected but by calling into and retaining in their service men of ability, integrity, and independence, and in what other way can such appointments be secured but by regard being had to the grade, dignity and emoluments of the office in its institution.—Norfolk Beacon.
We are among those who solemnly believe that an increase of the salaries of State Officers is essentially important, in truth as almost indispensably necessary to the preservation of State Rights.
So long as State employments are regarded as subordinate in dignity and emolument, will State Rights be regarded as subordinate in importance, and State Sovereignty and power be held in contempt.
If the States desire to preserve unimpaired their own reserved rights, how is this to be effected but by calling into and retaining in their service men of ability, integrity, and independence, and in what other way can such appointments be secured but by regard being had to the grade, dignity and emoluments of the office in its institution.—Norfolk Beacon.
What sub-type of article is it?
Constitutional
What keywords are associated?
State Rights
Federalism
Centralism
State Officers Salaries
Constitutional Warnings
What entities or persons were involved?
Henry
Virginia Convention
Norfolk Beacon
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Increasing Salaries Of State Officers To Preserve State Rights
Stance / Tone
Strongly Supportive Of Salary Increases For State Preservation
Key Figures
Henry
Virginia Convention
Norfolk Beacon
Key Arguments
Federal System Tends Toward Centralism And Consolidation
Constitution Has Monarchical Tendencies As Warned By Henry
Increasing State Officers' Salaries Is Necessary For State Rights Preservation
Subordinate State Employments Lead To Subordinate State Rights
Attract Men Of Ability, Integrity, And Independence Through Dignified Offices