Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1822-03-22

! "Sh 'ilt go u'aItnt von nave received IN re-
orn: Look at the list of I9 acts which were
passed. How many among them do you see
calculated la promote your moral and intel
!'c'ual condition? Orwhith tend io the i'm
piorcmcnt of ihos,, great advantages with
which you have hr-n blessed by the ho,niif;i
hand at nature ? You look in vain fol. the evil
d"rcc al That couimendabr zeal far the pub
hr Spnd which projected the funds for inter
nal Improvement, and for the diffusion al
that ii5ht and knowledge, To which we owe
me establishment of our happy institutions
aud by means of which alone they are Ia hr
handed down Ia our pnsierity in their original
purity. The lamp of liberty must he fed by
The oil of knowledge In,iig,. and selfish
ness seek not the light of day--thay court the
shade OF mental darkness. These are instruc-
i've truths, which the history of all the re-
pubiIcs that have gone before ms, should
drcpy impress upOn the mind of every re-
publican. BY the wisdom Of former legisla-
lures the sum of three millions, had been con
secrated with your appreciation, To the noble
purposes OF education and Internal improve
meni. The propriaiy of this policy was not
questioned by even respectable minority uf
our citizens. 1t was commended as in,nii-
cent and Judiclous III every quarter at the
Union Virginia, on this, as on all other oc-
casions, had the satisfaction of seeing her
public spirit both applauded and initiated.
The rctlectng part of society began to in
dulge the fond hopes of witnessing the most
rapid Improvement in the moral and inteIlrc.
tuai condition of the people as well as in the
face OF the country. These anticipations, so
agreeable to every patriotic mind, have been
retarded by the prejudice which was mani.
Tested by the late General Assembly. Yet |
do not despair am sure that your good
sense VIII apply the proper corrective, and
restore the Legislative body to that dignity and
responsibility which shall comport with the
character OF the state, and the Importance of
the objects committed to their charge.
The length of the sessions, as was Justly
said by Tell, if there was nothing else to pro-
duce the same effect, must necessarily drive
from the legislature men of talents who are
qualified by their habits of industry, to trans
act the public business with the greatest
prompiitude and propriety. How many of
you would be tempted by the pittance ofpay,
tn leave your firesides and families for more
than one third of the year? The labour
which you would have to sustain if YOU had
the talents TO discharge conscentious!y the
duties ofleglslators, is not nconsiderable. The
men OF abilities and character who come to
the legislature from dsinterested motives
ind that most of the business ofimportanc, is
Thrown upon their shoulders. When they
originate measure, they have to contend
with inveterate ignorance and violent pr"iu-
dice; in addition to which. thew find them
selves constrained TO resist the visionary
schemes of pretcnders. II is impossible for a
man unaccustOmed TO such scenes to form an
idea OF the various projects which are concciy-
ed and OF the unceasing soliciiude among ma
ny OF the members to do something to make
themselves conspicuous, or to curry favor a.
actuates man to seek the good opinion of
ms fellow man, and to distinguish himself by
rendering useful or important services 10 his
country, Is laudable in the highest degree 1t
is me stimulant To those eXrrions which Lead
10 nonor and commence. But how differ
emf Is IL from that grOvelliBg ambition which,
iretting under conscious sense Of iufrriori,y.
resorts TO artifice and discrimination rs the an
ly means of its qualification. The course
pursued by ncn III electioueering, is an I'm
erifnS indication OF that which they will pur-
sue IN The legislature. He that goes about
iattcrihS the people, treating with aohisEeg,
uls,fiDu'ilS gingerbread among the children,
ana adapting his opinions to those of the. in
dlVldual with whom he happens TO he CON
'ersins, will never make a valuable pnblic
servant. He will pursue the same insincerc
time- serving policy in lhe legislature. Every
ACT VIII look to his reelection rather than f.,
the public good. On the contrary the man ot
independence and of worth, will, both in his
intercourse with the people ard in the IegisIa
lure, pursue " the even tenor of his way." re-
Sardfu alike of his own dignity and of the
rights OF others. is it reasonable To supnosc
that one who in his canvass for an appoint
ment, stoops to acts of dssimuIation or In
.heanhess OIL adarker character, will not, when
IN ONCE, pursue the same career, if he has any
lnaucement TO do so Is such man fit To- be
trusted with the high and important functions
of law-giver?
1T is not my wish, fellow-ctizens to dictate
to you. But put it TO your candeur to saw,
whether you will longer suffer yourselves to
be imposed upon by the articles of men. WIN
only court your favor to abuse it /? Is it not
lime you had looked more seriously to your
interests iiow long will you continue to
ae'O'0 nlcdy your dearest right upon men who
nave me unblushlng efirontry TO Beg non far
u In many counties IN this state, such a
IN lninS as etectoneering is entirely unknown
Inc people have determined to- elect no man
VINO asks them to do it. They consult the
most intelligent of their citizens they selrct
TWO individuals and obtain their consent 10
serve these men are then announced as their
candidates. 1t often happens, indeed from
the conflict oil opinion, that four or five persons
"''u wi. Out I'D lhlS case, those who are
pest 9uaiined are generally sure Of being elect
ed. Would 20 God that This course w.pc mr.
sued IN every county in Virginia. The clarac-
ter Oh our public councils would ,hen he n,aie-
rally changed. The stability of their policy
would be better entitled to conidenre-nnd
our responsibility abroad would be- restored 70
what WI IT was IN the days of Pendieton, Henry,
Wythe and Grayson
g., Several subjects have been mentioned as
likely to require the abilities of the next legis.
lature.- But, there is another which ought 10