Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1825-11-18

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tins is accomplished, and the great principles of its
highest usefulness not yet put in operation
And here let US for i moment admire the princi-
pie which in this country has given such unrivalled
activity to all The projects oil public Improvement
and private enterprise. For it is true that the Anne
rcan states do carry to the execution of amy given
project, an energy OF action and produce efficient
! results, which, when compared with any European
pc" err stand out in vas, and garing disproportion
TO their pecuniary and physical means. 1t is no.
that the " Skeye influences" are more propltious
here; is not that nature here surrcnders with
less reluctant hand the Of her vast domains,
or yields with less resistance the demands of In
dusty, but II is to be referred alone to the benign
influence of liberal institutions the human mind
Ii Is not within the power OF monarch, whatever
may be his character, develope all the resources,
10 call forth into their appropriate sphere oil action
| ali the talent of anv nation or any country. Un-
ortunatcl, this object has hardly IN solitary in
stance, constituted the ambition of am king. Ia
the long, sad and disastrous pilgrimage oil
for five thousand years, how few of the blessings
and enjoyments which thinly scattered over
! this dreary track are 10 be ascribed 10 the wisdom
or benevolence OF arbitrary power!
! We dwell with increasing delight upon the COM
peiion OF this great enterprise, the first example
| OF an extensive application of the funds and power
ct the state, 10 the purposes of internal improve
ment: to what may be denomnated the good of the
| community, in opposition TO the real or ianced
interest OF an individual, OF adminlsl ration, OF
party. All these different classes NAV flourish or
may fade, and no permanent impression is made
| upon the prosperity of the people As furnishing
TO future rulers and surrounding states, example
which must be felt in the happiest influences. -
| Finally, rejoice in it, as feeling ourselves com
| nitled by all the sanction which wisdom gives to
her measures, yet more exclusively and unanimous
ly, to devote tie power and treasury of the state
! to purposes OF internal Improvement. Even the
work, over whose completion we this day lningie
our conra ulations, multiplied and inralcuab,e as
are the advantages which it coniers, will not have
accomplished the good of which il is capable until
! it has put forth It's tributary canals 10 every point
where they demanded by the wants OF justified
| by the commerce Of the inhabitants. il will then
assume the symmetry well as the powers of lie.
| The wild and uncultivated state of this western
country, is nearly within the remembrance of every
| Individual who hears He can close hi- eyes,
and the ubroken forest is dark and waving before
him; he wakes, and the fruits of every cline are
profe ed toI his acceptance. The wand of The en-
chSnter has passed the Wilderness ard 10! is
filled with lille and clothed with verdure. While
| contemplating the reclaimed and beautiful face OF
| the earth, it should ever be remembered with emo
lions OF gratitude that religion and literature are
occupying every foot of soil from which unsuSdued
nature is relreaing. say religion and literature
for although legislative provisions look only the
intellectual education, yet the wisdom of the world
has seen their inseparable union, and the relation
OF both TO the eliare of society If it were posi-
Die to suppose such anomalous and revolving
contrast physical nature Towering and fragrant,
in all the profession and eXuberauce Of its highest
cultivation, while the intellectual being who RIO
ting upon all this bounty, should exhibit himself an
object OF ig"orant and idolatrous abasement, instead
OF dwelling with delight, should turn with loath-
ing and abhomence from the whole picture. No
such unnatural union contrast exists. The
parental soictude of the Legislature seeks every
child la The loneest and darkest hut to which
poverty can retreat, and leads him forth light
and knowledge. The human mind here cannot
enter upon It's state of mortal existence, but it be-
GENES al once the adopted child OF the whole COM
munlty, and has concentrated upon it every infli-
calculated TO reform the heart, deveope the
Intellect. While warm and animated with such re
Elections, it would require but feeble effort of
lancy 10 ascend some local eminence, from which
the whole region destined be reclaimed and bles-
sed might be subjected to the view and a more
delightful prospect the eye OF the christian or the
patriot never rested on He would behold great |
people, from whom industry had driven vice and
poverty, whom religion had elevated to Christian !
~, and education 10 intellectual beings extending
his view to the long line OF this artificial vgatiOn
he would behold its channel reghied with the pro-
ductious oil every lime and its banks one long |
mart OF commerce resting upon fields waving with |
the fruits of agriculture. Let lin then turn and |
poses in tile bosom of the western lakes-behold |
The continuous shores of these waters thronged
with busy population, while the waters them |
selves while with the commerce ofeyery nation
Should the spectator leave this to conten plate
he mos al blessings which have flowed from this |
wide expansion OF institutions, his strongest
powers must recoil from the effort TO embrace the
sabJect. And yet these are at no distant day among
he wonders which are TO be wrought by the Erie
Canal.
The strong bond of union which is constituted
by this chain of internal navigation, makes il an OBJ
ect Of affection 10 every patriot, and every good
man wherever he may be. The confederacy of the
states, as 1t Is the source, and guarantee OF all our
prosperity, so its dissolution would be the most ex
tenslve calamity which could beial the human race
Monarchs may be vanquished, and their subjects
and dOminions transferred 10 other kings; Bona
Parie, or Bourbon, may hold the deslinies of an
empire; but the great concern of human improve
ment is no way effected. Barbarian hordes NAV
flourish OF die, and he beast they wared upon alone
may mourn rejoice. But put out this light, and
g there is no Promehean fire that the light re-
lUme." 1t forms moral bond which traitors can
not buy, and which bayonets cannot asunder.
How delightful, then, are tie reflections of this
day! Our country in its vest relations is all before
usand how proud does she appear ia history and
how mighty in prospect! Her national existence
IS not so old as many who hear me. And what
age or what nation offer record of a life so
honorable to herself, and useful to the world'
10 her must man from every region turn his gtate-
iGl regards for whatever of civil liberty his cond.
iron may afford Whether we look NJ him slowly
Dut surely rising from the accumulated bondage oil
centuries IN Europe, behold him OH the plains OF
South America, GREATNESS and bleeding from the
battle and the victory he thinks and acts, he fights
and conquers, IN The spirit that has emanaled from