Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1818-02-12

into mourning II ia tarc, has i:
some measure, abated the severity ofgrie
but il eau furnish no balsam 10 heal en-
firclv the wound
This Monument, for such in fact is this
Church, has been erected by contributions
from all classes OF our citizens. The wi
dow's mite and the rich mans bounty
have alike been contributed The fund,
however, has been exhausted in lis cont
pietion and we now call upon this legis-
laiure, not To repay the sums advanced
10 commemorate This national loss, but
merely 10 remit The sum accraingt0 the
Golfers of the country, by the dulles on
an organ imported for the building. II is
true that YOU will not, 10 any great cAtent
encourage the Jine arts, By granting the
prayer of the petition, as in the case
OF Vests piciurc--bui, will you not
encourage philanthropy And is il,
not more impcrInusly our duty. 10 en-
courage respect to the fine feelings of
our nature, 10 which the erection of The
th,rcit Is owing, than To encourage the
tine arts Are not humanity, beneyolence
and philanthropy, more brilliant orna
mcnts 10 our national character, than the
polished marble OF the statuarv, or the
vivid coloring Of The painter2 True sir,
YOU do not contribute exclusively TO The
prrpeioaiion Of The memory Of yonr ma
val heroes by granting our regnest-but
do YOU not contribute To The perpptuati-
on ot a great i:Jlional calamity Sir, YOU
will by this act pour oil into The wounds
of The broken hearted, by atfording AN
evidence that You participate III their feel
ings.
What then, demand, gives TO the pic
ture superiority over tins case. Is not
this i'm fact, The strongest Of the two? By
the exhibition ofthe painting "A consider
able revenue accrues 10 the hospital. from
which, in very short lime, the duiics
might have been dcfrayed-not so i'm this
instance. I'le iberaliiy of The citizens
of Richmond has been taxed without the
prospect, and let me add, without the
hope of remuneration. They would
spurn at any proposition going To repay
them Your eve will be RECALLED by con
templaiing the work of the artist there.
We present you with an object not pre-
ductive of qualification, but replete with
sorrowful recollectiouS. That represents
the benevolent spirit of the Redeemer-
THIS is an edifce erected TO the living
God.
And may not also be permitted 10 say,
that this case is at least, equally strong,
with the case ofs the sNlonument at III,
Navy Yard In one respect, HEY are
sirikingly simiar-that, sir, is raised to
tile memory of your gallant heroes, who
persisted III your batiIes-lIere also sleep
the ashes of your Gibbon. one of lie
same gallant and patriotic bani--true, sir,
he did mol die the death of The soldier,
but be it said 10 his unfading glory, that
he persisted In the cause of humanity.
4 "A l.. ~ al,
rit of generosity, Of feeling, which gov
ems this body, and which ought To
govern it-Can legislation attain an
higher object Than the promotion of viz
tuous, of honorable feeling-bui when TO
this is superadded the fact, that the mos,
siraight-laced policy can object nothing
substantial to ourdemand, will this house
hesitate in according Our wishes? ask,
what frown of policy ferbids the actI
Can injury he expected TO arise from the
precedent? May we not hope that good
and everything Providence will guard us
from the recurrence of similar calami-
ty! Yes, ages may pass before this case
can he plead as precedent.-But If is
said that the laws should be general and
not partial IN their operation. To this doc
trine assent most cheerfully-But let il
not be forgotten that if you reject this
petition, we shall have some right TO COM
plain. Will it comport with perfect
inpartiality TO deny to Richmond boon,
which YOU bave granted TO Washington
and Philadelphia in cases assuredly not
stronger than this ?-Will this be to pur-
sue an impartial legislation Pardon me
for saying that with all proper Difference
TO the opinion of this house, should
think differently.
Let me conclude by remarking that the
sum which is asked TO be RENTED, is in
considerable in amount, and four appli-
cation be granted, the effects of Your Ii
berality will not be felt at the treasury
and that if, in opposition 10 my most san
guine expectations, you should decide a.
gainst my motion, shall find consolation
in The reflection that have discharged
rny duty in having submitted it.