Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1823-10-17

fellow citizens ofNcw York, 10 partake in our
festivities, and cordially recprocate their con
CALCULATIONS ON this great and suspicious occa-
sion.
In this grand work, we perceive the strong
est cement of our connection, and an immense
reciprocal increase of the trade and intercourse
Of the two cities.
If facilities of intercourse be the great cause
of superior Intelligence, happiness, and wealth
OF nations, by what bounds can we circum-
scribe the blessings and benefits which may he
expected to flow fromIhe Great Canals ? That
to the north connects us with the bay Of La
bradOr, and that To the west with the gulph of
MexicO-uniting, or intersecting many navi-
vable lakes and rivers, affording the advanta-
ges and convenience ofmarine settlements to
The most fertile land in the world for many
hundred miles from the sea, aed thereby Civ
ing solid value to the productions of their
soil, by enabling them 10 transport it to the
best markets at a triiling expense. Behold
the multitude of boats now floating on the
Canals. pressing from distant interior coun-
tries To southern markets, with rich and valu-
able cargoes. Ii such be the immediate bene.
tits to thisS aud several of the other states,
which will increase with their population,
where shall we limit the blessings and advan-
tages which will descend to future genera
tons from the great achievement we this day
celebrate {?
IL is the province of man to trace and anti
cipate effects from causes, and it is peculiarly
the happy privilege of Americans to enjoy the
blessing Ofhope and expectation.
| Reared and educated under systems of go :
vernment, and institutions created and i'm
prov ed by the people for the benefit of our
! selves and children, atfording an equal parti-
cipation In the blessings of liberty aud proper.
| ty TO all, civil and religious institutions
based onintelgence and universal education,
and with the perpetual example of dcspotism
and Indebtedness, IN the old world before
our eyes, we may look forward with well
founded hope, that neither tyranncal aristo-
cracIes, or intriguing demagogues can ever
succeed in corrupting our citizens, or blight
ing our liberties how bright, therefore, is the
prospect and cheerful the anticipations we
may this day indulge. After a retrospect of
what has passed in our time, the imagination
| imperceptibly glides into the vista of futurity
| there she can with equal confidence and plea
sure perceive how familiar, interesting, & easy
| the Canal will make the intercourse ofuur Ct.
| items, with the many republican states " hich
will soon be established around our immense
lakes and rivers in the west and the ncon-
| ceivabe quantity ofproducts ofihe earth, tina,
will glide on its surface to the Atlantic mar
NS''. ~ 'iN'N'oic, '',IOite udS, LOT eS-
tension of the population, liberty and happi-
ness OF man. Although we have seen, or
heard of the works on the Canals daily, the
| mind Is yet confounded at the magnitude
| OF the undertaking, astOnished Mt tie CELEBRITY
| and grandeur ofthe execution. and go charm
ed with the glory and benefits it entails on the
country, we can scarcely realize its compile
ton. confess enjoyed the grand projec.
at first only in imagination. | hoped it would
| finally succeed, for the honor Of the State, and
the good ofmy children and postrrity and
at this moment feel AN ndescribable emniion,
| something hike renewal oflife, at par.aking
| infhe festivities of this day.
We know that much longer time is eften
exhausted by the Cabinets of Kings talking OF
iriiling national improvement before the
work ii begun, or in excavating so miles of "A
CanaiH han has transpired since rye first heard
| the idea of uniting Lakes Erie and Cham
plain with the Hudson. How honorable must
such result be, not only To the Commissions
ers, but 10 the distinguished citizens, and to tn.
legislatures who aroused public attention and
directed the energies of the state To its accom-
| pishment.
Americans ought TO rejoice with gratitude to
Heaven. Nothing but The torpid stupidity o
| Atheism can prevent the rejecting mind from
| perceivmg the special care and interposiion o
Providence in protecting and advancing oui
national honor and greatness. Instrument:
have always been prepared and qualified foI
promoting every great enterprise at a period
when only few could believe success possible
| This has been the case in every great underta-
KING or splendid event. interesting to Our des-
| tiny, since the time that the bra, and indela-
tigable Columbus was spending his strength
and for years wasting his exer0ns, among
the venal courtiers of Ferdinand aud Isabtl LA
until the present day Was an En1pjre sucb
as ours to be established? The only e,nigrant.
fitted TO do it were those no abhorred the pro
fgacy, bigotry and slavery ofEurope an govern
| ments Was the time come that we shout
assume rank among the nations of the world
A Washington and others were ready. The
final issue of that tedious contest for indepen-
dence is the best comment on their qualica-
tons for the mighty enterprise That at
chievement, and the consequences which have
flowed from our republican institutions, have
electrified the moral mass 0f Europe and 9th
er countries, and with galvanic powers excit.
ed the divine principle of freedom, which had
been buried under Accommodations of supersti,
ton, bigOiry, and feuda aristocracy, for ages
Our revolution has changed their motives for
warfare, by giving destructive animation 10 the
principles ofequaI rights and dcspotism, which
like the curse pronounced by God on tho ser
pent, will continae in combat until one or the
other shall finally triumph.
| Was a consolidation of Earring States neces-
sary tothe future welfare and glory of all p
Men endowed with intelligence and inllue6re
for perfectng the great object were on the
stage of action. Were the rights of our conn
Try to be again defended ? Men arose from
obscurity to command orr few ships of war,
who wounded the enemy in the most sensi-
tive part, and others who commanded our