Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1819-12-07

| scnslbiy feel, and So seriously deplurp.
will he remembered Only as a storm that
has passed, while the good effects Of The
| change III our national mauncrs and pur-
suis viii remain permanently beneficial.
| Aiho' ibe labors of The husbandman tor
| the present year have not been crowaed
| with that superabundance which our so,i
, has generally heretofore produced, vet
| we have reason 10 rejoice, that no scar
city of the means OF subsistence can be
experienced IN our land. Turning how.
ever from this gloomy picture, 10 lsok on
| that bright si,le of orr affairs, we find
| ourselves in the full enjoyment of peace,
IN The perfect possession of our religious
aud political privileges, and i'm the grow
ing strength OF our republican instiiu-
| lions, which being derived from the So
vereign will OF the people, the true source
al power, must ever remain endeared 10
ns. by self inierestand social affection and
by every other rational consideration.
While our sister states (whOse sulterings
demand our sympathy have been attic
led with contagious diseases and death,
we have been providentially preserved
IN the enjoyment Of uncommon health and
proiecteuirom those distressing calanlies.
Lei these considerations then, induce u.s. 10
unite in gratitude to The Author of our be-
ing, ior'he blessings We entity. and in i'm
plOrins him TO continue his special care
and protection over this highly favored
land.
must be permitted TO remind the pre-.
sen, Legislature, in the Ian. uage of our
Bill of Rights, "il,at well regulated mi
liiia, composed of The body of the people
trained to arms, is the proper, natural and
safe defence of free state" Whether
the militia OF Virginia, amounting now
nearly 10 one hundred thousand, are
well regulated militia, trained 10 arms
or whether under the present system Of
laws Tor their government, they constitute
sale defence 10 free state, are enqui-
, RES which address themselves fOrcibly 10
the mind and feelings sfevery citizen, and
dcvolve as solemn duty on this Legisla-
lure. The general and state governments
have both incnrr,d considerable expense
M furnishing aims for the militia, as has
been shewn by The annual reports of the
Superintendent of the Armory OF the
state, and will be seen in relation 10 the
government Of the United States, by the
reports and letters herewith marked (A)
on the subject OF inspecting part of the
arms rendered 10 this commomw ealih for
arming the militia. as part of The quota
due under the act of Congress of 1903 -
Wilt be good policy TO distribute those
arms before The militia have bern laugh,
| at least some Of the subordinate duties OF
| the soldier, and so much Of the economy
OF the camp, as will enable them TO &C.
| count for and preserve their arms from
| destruction? As il must be admitted that
| the defence ofOUr country In case of war.
! would dependprincipally OH the efficiency
OF the militia, il is ardently hoped that
| tins Legislature will adopt such measures,
aswill be productive OF military discipline,
| aud thereby give permancncy s. security
To The government and advance tie cha
| racter 1T the Virginia militia 10 the first
responsibility in tie Union. The present
| moment OF profound peace, Of military
experience gained in the late war, and of
almost universal harmony of opinion.
seems TO bepeculiarly favorable tow ards
eHeciing this desirable and important
object, especially as the Iabors of the
present General Assembly will proba
bly, be small In comparison with those
tthcir immediate predecessors, by hom
the important work of revising The laws
OF HE commonwealth was completed.
The Arsenal and Guard at Lexington
being in a situation 10 receive the public
arms, The Executive have instructed the
Adjutant General 10 take .he necessary
l
arms from the Armory TO that place, for
preservation and safe eping. II will APP
pear by the Adiutant Generals letter
herewith, marked OBJ, that there are no
preparations at the Arsenal for repairing
arms. IL Is therefore Submitted TO The Lee
gIsla'ure TO determine whether a cheap
establishment for that purpose would not
be attended with a saving OF the public
money.
The Guard in this city for the profec-
lion Of The pnblic properly, being imme-
diately under The eye of the Legislature,
they can judge by their own observation
OF lis improved appearance and probable
efficiency. Great regard is paid by the
officers, to the neainess and discipline of
the men and the zeal and steady atien
tien of the commanding officer, manifest
ed III the service of the state, eniiilc him
TO particular praise.
The Peniieniiary affords gratifying
prospect 10 the feelings OF the friends OF
humanity. The police Of that institution
has been greatly improved under The ma
naSeiDeni of The present excellent Super
lnlendent and board of directors and the
health OF the cOnvicis benefited bv tie
introduction Of running water from All
adjacent spring, into the interior of the
building. hope shortly 10 see il yielding
a profit 10 the state, and exhibiting to ibe
world, in The merciiuI policy of tits gov
eminent, the extraordinary fact, that
reformation instead Of destruction, may
be accomplished by the punishment oi
offenders and that many miserable
mOrials, who, under governments Of a
more sanguInary character, would have
been consigned 10 an ignominieus death,
may, even in tie punishment they receive,
be made 10 contribute TO The support oil
that benevolent system, whose laws they
| have violated. The quarterly statements