Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1823-07-22

oS"Sht ~ nOStt 10 ny "A anu III Tie
same way, and by the same process of feeling
rather than reasoning. Neither will accept of
even positive wealth, by any plan which he
fears will give 10 his neighbor still greater
wealth. Such is the spirit of jealousy and
where 1t reigns paramount, it never fails To
keep state weak and poor. How much
more noble and magnanimous it is, to cast
from our view exclusive advantages to purtic
utar parts, aud, with steady aim, TO pursue
only the general good; and such, l trust, will
be our course.
Agriculture is, beyond all question, our phi
mary interest. Three jourths, at least, of the
population of Maryland are culivators o the
soil: the remaining fourth pursue commerce
and the mechanic arts. These are, indeed
auxiliary to agriculture and necessary to its
prosperity, and ought to have their Just share
OF legislative patronage. But, agriculture is
paramount-the first and noblest of arts, and
the parent and nurse of all others. II ought
not to be under the control of minor interests
|, therefore, address myself principally to far
mers and planters; you who cultivate the soil
you are the strength and sinews of the state
you ought to be, according TO your mpor-
lance, independent, to give tone to secondary
interests, Instead ofbeing governed by them
Exercise your right of suffrage, al the ensuing
election, ludiciOusy and independently, and
then you will infuse your spirit into Tie next
| Legislature.
Take into your serious consideration the
subject of the contemplated connection for
commercial intercourse between the Eastern
and Western country, by a navigable canal "a
long the valley of Potomac river. In conse
quence ofthe long and narrow form of Ma
ryland, this proposed Improvement will bring
almost to our very doors the cheapest, safest,
and most perfect of all possible modes of con-
veylng our produce TO market and of bringing
home its returns. 1t will present to our cheice
more than one market it will present a
number of marlSets in active competition with
each other, which, while it will be a positive
benefit to each CONNER cial city and town,
VIII, by making each better market, yield
lncalcnlable advantage 10, and establish the
preuomlnance of, the agricultural interest
Inc western parts of PENNSYLVANIA, the nor
them parts of Va. the rich state of Ohio, &c.
&c. by making this their channel of commerce,
VIII pour countless treasures into tile Ian of
Maryland, and, at the same time, enrich
themselves; for the benefits Of commerce
must be reciprocal, otherwise il cannot flour
ish, ana VIII soon cease To exist. 1t is lust
SO with agriculture, comm cree, and manufac
lures unless they cherish and support each
other, IN honest and harmonious reciprocity,
instead OF each eDdeavoring to 0verreach and
take advantage OF the Others neither can long
prosper. Let us do our part toward making
int proposes improvement. Ii requires from
us nothing beyond what willing and industri
Gus people can do without difficulty, and no.
tnins but what wise people will see il
Ihelr hest interest to do. From Pttsburg Ia
Washington City and Baltimore, the whole
line OF canal will be chain of beautiful and
flo urishing villages. We have not vet GFtiy
considered these things, but inquiry isawaken.
ed before the next election we will under
stand the subject, and when we do, if we do
not act rightly, the fault will be our own.
Kermit me TO say few words more on
the advantages OF several markets in compe-
| utlon with zach other. Where the cultiya
tors of the soil have but one great commercial
market, the mercantile interest acuuirps too
much influence over the agrlcuitural-the less
over The greatef. This injurious influence
| tends TO paralyze and chill the spirit and ener
Sies OF agrlculture, and to destroy that fair re-
| cIproclty which is essential 10 the prosperify
oil 0ofh interests Among farmers, individual
competition operates in its fullest extent ::
among merchants of the same city or town,
Individual competition is easily controlled and
regulated by combinations this circumstances
gives I'D tne latter great advantage over the
former. Let the farmer have choice of
markets SO nearly equal in magnitude as TO be
rivals Tor his custom, his condition is thereby
vastly meliorated both markets are rendered
better for him, and he stands ON ground com
paratiyely independent. Even those, who,
rom their proximity TO one market, never
contemplate using any other, will find that
me '0h1ch they do use, better market in con-
sequence of the competition.
The proposed movement, il is true.
would place one market, and probably con
siderable one, in the District of columbia land.
Technically speaking, this is not in the State of
!HdTYdnd-but 1t is technically oniy that the
District IS foreign. It's inhabitants have Nh
fytdnd feelings separated from us only in
name, they have with us, identity Of in.
terests, and are our brethren still. But ad
hitting this to be a foreign market, which es-
seDtlally II Is not, how would that circum
stance affect our interest If we can sell our
produce therefor better price than we can oh
tam elsewhere, (otherwise we will not go therel
and bring thence a greater value home, is not
the advantage OGrsl This is precisely the ar
gument we use TO prove that foreign trade is
| pTOhtable-our receiving a greater value in
exchange for less. Let us not he deceived
hne spun logic may puzzle and betray us into
ohscurlty and error but plain common sense
VIII not mslead us. II Is OuT true interest to
encourage, ~ couneXiOn with the main canal,
every lateral one, on which nature has not
placed insurmOuntable difficulties. No one
place should be fauoriie, but all should have
equal privileges, and in every measure the
leading object should be the general good.
l have heard IL alleged, by some IF my
neighbors, az, on their part, an objection to the
proposed canal, that, IL the friends of that pro-
Ject be correct in theirestimates of the cheap
ness of conveyance, it will place those who
come 100 miles by the canal on a par with
those who have only miles of land carriage
and those (say they) who have to encounter
the ekpenae OF a rraafer disInnce than = trilns