Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1818-01-20


poses. with US little ceremony or con-
cealment as he purchases his coach-bors-
cs, with his own money-1'hese serve 10
draw him through the dirt, TO parliament !;
those TO draw him through all the quick
sands IN parliament-the burgesses as
much under The influence of his rein in
parliament, as The horses are without.-So
that whether prerogatise or corruption,
be the order of the day, the delegates of
the pot boilers have always been found
the willing and obedient tools of the one
or the other, whilst the delegates of The
freeholders have been the only real sup
port against both. Hence has arisen the
common appreciation of " the rotten bo-
ron9hs." Upon this view of the subject,
an important reflection presses itself upon
the mind. II is generally Sc n that the
same politicians who continually aud We
hemenfly dccIaim against the "ro,ten bo-
ronghs," and The ministerial influence ex-
eried through them, are the greatest zeal
OTIS for Introducing the very principle of
election In Virginia which affords the
greatest facility to ministerial influence
and corruption i'll Great Britain. But a
still more important reflection presents it
self. The priucipie OF representation
without the qualification of property,
nigh! be applied TO portion of the Bril-
fish House ofCommons without the same
dangerous ntiuenceupont the government,
which would probably take place i'm lis
application to the American consiitu-
tions-brcause the British government is
not wholly elective; whereas, the Ameri-
can governments are. The entire exccu-
tive of the British government, endowed
With extensive royal prerogalives, and one
entire branch ot parliament, are heredi-
tary, and their qualifications in relation
TO property, would always atford an am
pie pledge orits protection and security;
and would at the same time be able 10
check any undue bias against II, in The
principle of representation. But the A
meriean governments, being purely and
WIDELY elective; the direction of such
governments must be impelled solely Nv
the tendencies of the elective principle.
without any check whatever upon il =.
From these and many other consderati-
ons, Il con lecture is now hazarded, that
ifever there should be failure in The G.
lectivc principle to sustain The political
institutions of America, which God for
bid 1t will arise from disregard to The
natural and intimate connection between
the soil and IFS possessers, in laying the
foundation of such institutions. II the
Whole American constitutions had been
founded upon this solid and immovablc
basis, II is believed they might have detied
the shocks oftine and of all political dis
asters. II, then, the introduction into the
bill of the principle of elections by house
keepers, should have tendency, i'm the
smallest and remotest degree, to impair or
obllteraie the principle of elections By
freeholders, may hotthe merits the sys-
TEN, from that consideration alone, well be
doubted 1.-The mere outlines Ofthis part
OF the subject are but family sketched,
whilst the whole picture might be filled
up with manv striking and interesting
figures but the writer is admonshed by
the editor, as well as by his own ease, 10
limit his enquiries, and to condemse his
observations.
The next No will bring into view some
of the probable consequences OF the sys-
TEN upon the state ofreiigion in Virginia
particularly as they regard the great qucs-
lion OF separation, or connection, ofchurch
and state. go
AN EXPLANATORY CARD.
The writer of the doubts concerning the
merits of the proposed system of public ecu.
cation, makes his most respectful compliments
70 the Editor of the Enquirer, and expresses
his sincere regrets, that the mode he thought
proper TO adopt for Introducing the subiect to
the notice of the General Assembly, and which
he thought the occasion required, should liza We
excited the seiIsibilities and apprchensions of
the respected editor. 1t is deemed tile tirst
duty OF the writer, or the orator, to brush
away the mists ot prejudice, with which he sees
his subject enveloped (; and this is always
delicate operation
He cordially thanks the editor for his liberia
llty IN promising TO give publicity TO the Nos
i'll eXienso and can by no means consent 10
iIberale HIM from his promise to listen to the
arguments with a most Job-iike patience, even
10 their bitter end heir unfortunate proliXity
to The contrary notwithstanding
He assures the editor that he meant m dis
arrangement in ascribing to him qualified mo-
nopoly OF the newspaper printing III Virginia.
he spoke oi 1t as matter of fact, not as a
matter OF reproach. He thinks, on the con-
tTaTN, the influence acquired highly honora BILE
TO the editor; although il must be admitted
that such Influence may he welded most eff
caciously. both in public and private concerns
He thinks foo, that the editor has in gene raj
ussd this influence literally. and that his press
we'll merits its celebrity. The editor is mis-
taken ia surprising the writer intended TO in
sInuaie that lie defed the last General As
sembIy II was the one preceding. The one
vas fnll OF schemes, the other checked them.
The dsIfhcation wasintended for the scheming
not the checking General Assembly. Tile
writer was one of those citizens who thought
the checking session scarcely treated with
common decorum yet tile beneficial effects
OF !ne checking poicy seem nov 10 be almost
universally admitted. 'Phis circumstance led
the writer into the error OF supposing that tie
editor was zealously in favor OF the bill for
carrying into effect the system OF pubic edn.
cation. tie writer takes great pleasure in ac-
Acknowledging that he stands corrected IN tlIat
respect by the editor'sexpiandtion and fell
cItates himself that lie has Unexpectedly found
so able and influential fellow laboror against
the bill. 'rhe editor is also mistaken in
snpposiDg that the writer wishes 10 divert
flp lifprar fund
ton. He wishes TO give il practicable direc
ton to that object. He is only opposed TO Ike
corporation entrusted with the management
OF that fund, as he is to all corporations Of gen.