Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1823-11-28

lng habits, and 10 lofty and gallant co,,r,g ;.
are surpassed by none. In one respect. and
In my ~pInion in one only, we are materially
| weak We occupy surface prodlyinusiy
great IN proportion To our numbers. The
common strength is brought with difficulty 10
Dear On the pninttiiai may be menaced by an
enemy. II is our duty. then, as FAR as in the
nature of things il cnn be effected, 10 counter
act this weakness. Good roads and canals. iu-
diconsiy laid out, are The proper rem.dy.-
In the recent war how much did we suffer for
the want of them Besides the Hardness s. the
consequent insfhciency of our military move
mthts, TO what AN increased expense was the
country put fur the article of transportation
alone! In the event of another war, the saw
ing In thus particular would go far towards in
Identifying MS for the expenses Demonstrating
Inc means of transportation.
IL IS not however, in this respect only, that
roads and canals add to the strength ola coun-
Try. Our power of raising revenue, in war
particularly, depends mainly on them. In
peace our revenue depends principally on the
imports; IN war this source, in a great measure,
tSi's, and internal taxes to great amount, be-
come necessary. Unless the means of com
mercial intercourse are rendered much mnre
perfect than they now are, we shall never be
| able In war TO raise the necessary supplies.
Ii taxes were collected in kind if, for instance
ne iarmer and mechanic paid in their surplus
produce, then the difficulty would not exist,
as IN no country on earth, is there so great a
surplus, IN proportion To population, as ours
But such system of taxes is impossible-
fhey must be paid in moaey, and by the CON
stitution, must be laid uniformly What then
| Is the effect? The taxes are laid in every part
oil ms extensive country, uniformly but the
expenditure must, in IFS nature, be principally
confined to the scene of military operations
This drains the circulating medium from one
part, and accummlates IL in neutrality-suspicious.
very distant one. The resui, is obyious.-
Unless II can return through the operations oi
trade, the parts from which the constant drain
takes place, must ultimately be- impoverished
commercial intercourse IS the true remedy to
This weakness; and the means by which this
Is To be ELECTED, are roads, canals, and the
coasting trade. GA these, combined with do
mestlc manufactures, does the monied capaci-
~ oi ms country, IN war. depend. Without
them, not only will we be unable TO raise the
necessary supplies, but the currency of the
country must necessarily fall into the greatest
disorders--snch as we lately experienced.
. But on this subject of national power.
what, said hIr. Calhoun, can be- more imn,r-
tant than peril c. unity in every part, in feel
ings and Interest ? And what can tend more
powerfully To produce II, than overcoming the
N'''""St ~" propie enjoying Tree
dom, ever occupied any thing like as grca, an
extent of country as this Republic One hun
ored years ago, the most profound philuso-
t.nefs did not believe IL 10 he even passhie-
ihey dld not suppose II possible that IA pure
h'p"Dhc Could exis on great u scale eve
as the island of Great Britain What was
| men considered chinerciaI We now have thr
felicity To enjoy ; and what is must remarka
o'e' such Is The happy mould of our govern
meot so well are the state and general pow
''s o'ended, that much of our political happ;-
ness draws lis origin from the extent of our
hepnohc. 1t has exempted us from most of
The causes which distracted the small Rpnub
lies OF antiquity. Lei il not, however. b. far.
gotten; LEI 1T forever be kept in mind, that il
exposes us to the greatest of all calamiIirs.
next To ihe loss ofliberty, and even 10 that in
us consequences -disuni0a. We are great.
anu rapidly, j was about tO say-fearfuiIy,
growing. This is our pride and danger
weakness and strength. Little, said Mr. G..
! does he deserve To he entrusted with th. Iiber-
ties oi this people. who does not raise his mind
TO these truths We are under the most i'm
| pefious obligation 10 counterfeit every tender.
cy 10 oisunI0n. The strongest of all Gem, n :
is, undoubtedly, the wisdom, Justice. and ab0y.
all the moderation Of this house. Yet the grea,
subject on which we are now delibcrating. il
| ms respect, deserves the most serious cnosi-
dtraiion. WhIte, er impedes the intercourse
OF the extremes with this, the centre of the
/ republic, weakens the union. TIN rnnrc en-
| iarged the sphere of cOG.mprcial circulation
| the more extended that OF social intercourse
the more strongly are we bound together the
more inseparabIe our destiDies. Those WIN
| understand the human heart know how pu,y-
erfuIy distance tends To- break the sympathirs
OF our nature. Nothing, not even the dlssin,-
llarIiy OF language, tends more 10 esirange nIae
from man. Let us then, said Nh c. hind the
hepubhc together with perfect system 81
roads and canals. Let us conquer space L
is thus the most distant parts of the Rrpubll,
"iil be brought within few days travel of III.
centre ; II Is thus that n citizsn of the Wes
| wiii read the news ut B fstOn still moist rroin
| 'he press. The mail and the press, said ne
are the nerves OF the body polite. By them
| the slightest impression made on the most re.
mo'e parts, IS communicated 10 the whole sys.
TEN aud The more perfect the means of Iv,ns.
p"rldiion, The p1fe rapid and true tire .yibra
nod 10 a'd us ~ this great work, TO main
TAN the lutegriiy at this Republic, we inhab
country presenting the most admirable adj.
'"h'NSes' BeIted round, as il is, by lakes and
oceans, Ioiersecied in every direction nv b,,,
and rivers, The hand of rndnstrv and arr i
tempted to Improvement. So situated bless
ed with "a form Of government ~ once co,nbip
ing 'ibeTiy and strength. We may REASONABLE,
'"lst our eyes 10 most splendid future. if q,
'hi1 acl ~ manner worthy of our adtanfa
EtS' ~, h"wever, ncgipctng them, we per
mi low, sordid, selfish sectional sniri, +,
Ike possession of this House. this ham,
scene will vanish. We shall divide. and a.
consequences will fOllow-nisery aud despo
ism.
-, 70 lrsislais for our country, continue,