Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-12-05

hned TO very small clas-, it would become the
"."ui source OF universal instruction. Good
schools would Ne located in every part of the
state, not OF uncertain and ephemeral bit
uHec ana permanent, accessible to all, and if not
absolutely tree of charge, affording to the citizen
the cheapest means Of educating his children. Thus.
IN the iulness OF time, every man would become
capable oil appreciatng his rights and prepared to
maintain the happy government under which we
live: The means of accomplishing these happy
results, are fully within reach and their Judi
cious application opens TO the patriotic Statesman
prospects of unfading glory. In venturine the..
suggestions to you, stand sustained by the OBI.
mons OF the most illusrious civilian that this
country has ever produced, and by the bright and
shining examples OF other states.
Next to the duty OF guarding and protecting the
public liberty by wholesome and NECESSARY enact
ments. stands that of advancing by a wise system
OF legislation, the public wealth and prosperitv.
This is injoined upon Us by the most solemn con-
sideratons. Nor have your predecessors render
ed themselves amenable TO the charge of neglect
OF duty by disregard of this injunction. The
Fund for Internal Improvement now amounting 70
the sum of $2.043.439 SO, deserves greatly TO be
cherished Defects may exist in its Organization.
but II the interest arising from il judicously
applied IN aid OF works which, when conf
pleted, would yield return in the shape of diyi.
dends it would produce incalculable benefits.
By the adherence to such principle, it's amount
consequences of the most important character
while the hand OF the tax-gatherer in aid of II.
would be wholly unknown to the people. Work.
ing gradually and silently, it's existence wouId on
iy be ascertained by the blessings it would dis
pense. But while this Fund is destined in the
progress OF time under proper management to
bring about a most extensive, if not an universal
! improvement in the face of the country it must
not be concealed, that il is and must of necessity
De Tor many years to come, inadequate to the
achievement OF those great works which il is now
important to construct For these purposes, the
Legislature will have to rely on other resources.
Governed by those wise and beneficent motives
which have heretofore ruled the legislation of the
state, will not doubt but that ready aid will be
gwen 10 such impro vements a large scale az
heretofore have, or may hereafter suggest them
! selves, TO the wisdom of the General Assembly.
The resources Of the State are undeniablv abundant
for the accomplishment OF these great objects; AMI
| the wisdom of so applying them is, not only OBJ
| vious In the immediate and wide spread benefits
which will with certainly be produced. but also
In the permanency which will thereby be given to
the Constitution of the United States, by restrain
ing wi'hn the letter and true meaning of their
powers, the administrators of the General Govern
| ment 1t maySwell be considered, that more dan
ger Is TO be apprehended to the state authorities
Dy the exertion OF the assumed power over roads
| and canals by the General Government, than from
| almost any other source 1t holds out the tender
| Va HS OflOe which be offered o a
people inisblting country yet in its infancy, and
/ which invites the exeitions Of man TO ts imnrove
ment IN almost every direction. II is temptation
thrown in the way Of the politician and the great
body OF the people, to mislead them from tine
Construction Of the Constitution In the name of
patriotism 1t sketches out 10 the dazzed understands
| Ing unfadipg beauties "a country, now wild. re-
duced by its influence TO order and reaulari,v- o.
people, united by their devotion to liberty bur s,
Psrated by immense chains Of mountains which il
proposes to level or otherwise to susdue II pro-
misses TO render navigabie, rivers and streams OH
whose bosoms no boat laden with the products of
industry has yet foated, and to bind the Sta,,s
together with ndissoluble bonds Thus il attemo,s
TO veil and conceal from obsery aon its features nj
usurpaion. Ii usurpatiOn did not dress itself in
| SMILES, how could it ever hope 10 succeed, The
people OF this State however, have not been sha-
Ken Ia their allegiance TO the Constitution by the
offer OF this splendid inducement. They have
looked to the instrument, 10 ascertain bv what an
thoriiy the General Government has thus ventured
TO interfere with the police aud soil of the states
and ihey have found nothing in that grant OF power
Justifying such interference. They have then de-
| tected the usurpationj for, if the powe r be not
.heIe' Is no where They regard it in the odious,
but deserved light of the forerunner of other and
still greater usurpaiions. Where, in fact, sgall be
liked the limits of federal power, if the mere right
to establish post roads," shall give the power
| now 10 turnpike road which has been establish
| cd post road from the foundation of the gov
| ernme"t! These words, introduced into the Con-
| suuton tor no other purpose than to protect the
mail iromiInterruption, either by an edict of the
| state government or hindrance from any other ouar
Ter, have from the very organization of the govern
ment, received their interpretation. Post roads
have been established by acts Of Congress without
number, through every portion OF the union: and
| no one ever dreamed that by The phra seoIoav of
those acts the same in substance with that used in
the Constution,) Congress ever intended TO do
more than TO suthorise the Post Master General tn
transmit the mail along the roads thus particulars
designated Yet, ii in Opposition 10 the uniform ex-
position oil the meaning ofthis grant and 10 the ordi-
nary acceptaton oil Its very terms, the government
can exercise the power of constructing roads
through every county and town in a state, where
shall be fixed the limits offs power? Where those
limits, II the right to regulate Commerce with
foreign nations and among the several states,
gives more perfect right TO the Gen. Government
TO enter upon the Territory Of state for the pur-
pose OF cutting canal than it confers on the same
government to invade the territory of a foreign
state Tor similar purpose? Or, what will be found
equally dIihcul OF being answered, where shall The
FEDERAL power be staid, if the right " to declare
war shall confer the right 10 cut canal or turn
pike road, along which piece of cannon NAV
never be transported or bayonet be seen? If
the mere exhibition Of The grounds on which this
power Is placed By its advocates be not sufficient
10 unmask and overthrow IL, can IL be considered
feeble objection 10 its righful exercise that the
Deneral Government cannot even for the great and
essential object OF national defence, either I'm
oeT Me todr-mdf'ng potter or any other, occu-
Ply loot OF land on which TO erect the rnost No.