Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1819-12-11

is foit.-Let the sole constitution ani cxecu-
ton of either be confined 10 honses aad walls
aud 10 ioohuments, however splendid OF Gevo-
ted 10 sPiendid remembrances, aud Kept from
heina rSsnvsorated by recurrence iu the SIM
pie emotions of Standardization becomes
mere form aud government, sOrdid and sell
h'h uade.-And IL appears 10 me, that the ec-
centric Goodwin Is right, when he wishes 10
mark with mementoS, thoSe solitary spots,
" hch are dsting uished, by any circunIstau-
ccs, OF "a capacity TO excite sentiments and e.
motions beneficial TO public or private virtue.
III monuments 10 men, or TO commemorate some
event, should, III republican country, he
erected with a view TO IaIse recollections pro-
ductiNe oi or friendly TO public virtues. then
sal ely, their location in towns must he mimi
cal 10 that etiect,-Aniidst the crowds of CT
ties the pursuits of objects absorbing the mind
and deadening il TO the production of noble
purpose. amidst the pursuit of gain, and the
selfish chace OF pleasure, sentiments ola class
saiutaiy 10 public virtue, aIe not of frequent
birth OF of beasthiul growth-previously pro-
duced they may perhaps live there-but un-
less reinvigoratcd by ii frequent recurrence to
treer and rurer moral atmos phere. they are
apttO grow sickIy. " heu monument, Il the
graudest recJilcctions, is placed in a town.
the attrition Of public life-tie absorption OF
business, aud the seating of dissipation, in
Juce It's inhabitants, after the novelty OF a
mere SPECIMEN OF art is over, to pass il by,
always without one emotion consistent with
ITS associations, and Frequently without being
sensible OF It's presence at all. Visitors from
the Country are rather more struck with it
But the distraction ct "a scene seldom visited,
The irritation OF business, in crowds 10 which
thty are not accustomed, deprive them of that
state OF mind, III which, ii wouid he 80 much
better contemplated, i'm the solitude of the
Country. How much, is IL supposed, that the
stdtne ~ W ashingt0n in the capitol of Rich
mond, has contributed To the warmth OF the
patriotism and nobleness of the sentiments of
the representatives OF the people, who nave il
SO constantly in view As TO the Inhabitants
OF the CITY are they conscious fits existence,
even on the 22d of Fehruarys l have seen
some of these monuments, III my time, to the
memory OF great persons and OF great events
IN great towns too-but they seemed hardly
ever 10 be noticed except on Sundays, when
the good citizen and his family resorts TO their
ViciD'tS Tor promenade-but l very seldom
perceived the attention of the good dame
Turned from gosSipping, or of the husband
from Inc news aud the price curreat, to the
contemplation of objects fraught with the
crandest recOllections. At the same time,
shrewdly suspect, that the rails SURF oundin-
the siaiue OF w ashinsion IN the capitol, be-
ING fa'onte lounging supports to gentlemen
engaged In Capitalization, have witnessed the
discussion OF many petty political manoeu.
vrc.
But, as ii is generally expected of those, who
condemn plan. TO substitute a better project
IN IT'S place would propose, il such propo-
sinon be not presumption III me, that simple,
Yet elegant monument be erected over the
grave AT NtIuOU, dnU tUdt, tue oIueT OF
the structure should be suitable in its cbarac-
ter, TO the plain and solid dignity of The per-
,ondge, whom II Is to Commemorate-That ~
be only inscribed with the werds George
Washmgton, AVID with the date of his birth aud
deatl-ln lime to come, we should not despair
10 see this tomb sOnght out object OF
more attraction than any OF the antiquities Of
Rome and Greece, nor should we despair. that
IN the course of successive wears. the present
false estimate Of glory will bs so lar abandon
ed that The ellprs N EurOnp will liz n
visiting Amer lea 10 contemplate the grave OF
the man "abOve all Greek, above all Roman
fame" 10 the eucouutering of the ditficulties
and dangers of exploring countries, inhabited
oy despicabie slaves, TO measure aud describe
the monuments of equally despicable iyrants
And that the tomb Of the despot Hadrian. aud
the Pantheon OF AgTippa, the minion of the
destroyer ofthe liberties of Rome, will be GEN.
sidered objects OF inferior attraction to the
tomb OF patriot III the country of freem'".
Aud those foreigners too. instead OF rIdIculius
the attempts, at emulation of prlnceiS splen.
der, III onr public buildings, VIII admire the
taste and gratitude, that cohsecraied an APP
pTOpiiate monument to the benefacter OF our
country. OH the spot where he lived and died.
visit TO This tomb should also be considered
as pilgrimage eBJOiued upon our statesmen,
magistrates, and officers There the statesman
may. dwell upon The example OF him, from
whom he may learn singleness of devotion 10
The public good and uuiiupeachable purity OF
conduct-The pablo functonary may learn
dIslnteTeStedncsS i'll the performance OF his
duty, and seli-devOiion 10 the general interest
There the officer may drink large draushts
OF military Inspiration, and learn 10 emulate
the deeds OF the herO-There he fDay devote
himself to the honor at his country, i'll invoking
the sacred shade OF him who sleeps beneath,
and of
Quei, che seco pngnando andar sotterra
Ombre famose oude 81 Columbia crebbe.
FRUGoNI.
Those their country's glory toiHcrease,
Who fell ia battle, nghtihg by Ills side.
And this pilgrimage should be particularly re-
commended to the yontb OF the rising enera-
ton OF whom, there is great danger that the
peblic spirit should fall This mantle seems
10 have been gradually enveloping the men OF
America until il has shielded them from the
rays Of patriotic heat-bnt of late they have
begun, To fiud ii the robe of Nessus There
was once. a numerous class OF men i'll this state,
who had no conneXiOn with matters of this
kind--aud III this class. we're to be teuud the
men, from whom we might expect the geIIerO-
sity of virtue and the Uebleness OF patriotism :;
men in fine like those of Rome in her earliest
purity, aud before she was corrupted by TO-
reign wealth. and to whom that proud phrase
alndes," pra,ter ldujem nullius dVaTi" But
we manage matters better now. Men Of the
fist rate talents education aud family, who
have occupied, and might still do so, dignifed
stations in the government, seem 10 esteem 1t
higher honor 10 become presidents of banks
by the appointment of STOCKHOLDERS, than 10
eXei else the functions of mdgistrdCy or lesis-
latiOm by the election Of fTeemen. Let us look
to tile fate Of Venice and Florence, and consi-
der, that the split of trade and the power OF
tue moned interest may assume too high an as
cendancy ~ republic. The descendant Of a
merchant from his originally commercially ac-
quired wealth, became despOlic lord Of Flo
renee Venice obtained such wealth, BY trade,
as al length TO become corrupt aud enervated,
aud now, this :" planteI OF the lion is struck
from the map of independent naiions--aud the
pOSteIity Of the subduers Of the Ottoman have
realized the bJld line Of Lncar--
Ignorant datos, ne quisquam SeTViat, enses.
To secure us a2anst the possibility Of ever be-
ing in that state of imbeciiiy. let us recon-