Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-05-19

narrow, local improvements, and we need no pro-
phet TO foretell the enGless and ever multiplying
intrgues, the selfish combinations the ieaousies
and discontents which will follow by necessity
as sure as the laws OF nature. An irresistible
temptation will be offered TO unprncipled bargains
between states and Legislators, aud the treasury,
sending out partial streams, will become a foun
tain OF bitterness and discord.
Let II not be said, that most of the proposed i'm
provements are designed to promote intercourse,
anu that thus they favor what we conceive TO be
the great end OF government, by binding us to-
gether. We answer, that the General Govern
ment already promotes intercourse incomparably
more than all other causes combined, and are
unwilling TO put to hazard this actual, benefcent
influence by striving TO extend il. Government
already does more Tor this object than all the ca.
mails, railroads and other internal improv ements,
which human ingenuity can devise, and tnis it does
by that negative influence, which, as we have Of
ten said, is its Chief function. This il does by
making us one people, by preserving us from be-
ing broken into different communities, by prevent
ing those Instructions 10 a free interchange Of
commodities, which, in case of dsunion, would at
once rise up between US; by preserving us from ma
liona rivalries, from the war OF tariffs, and from
open and ruinous hostility We grant that case >
may occur, in which national advantage may he
lost useful objects delayed, for want of positive
interference OF government in The work OF internal
Improvement But the wisdom of nations like
that oil individuals, consists very much in a will
lingness to forego near and inferior benefits for
permanent security. We have however little
apprehension of much injury resulting from the
orbearance OF government in this Particular
Let Congress hold US together, and keep us in
peace, and the spirit of the people will not SUM
Der. 1t will pour itself forth through our state
governments, through corporations, and throu Oh
individual enterprise; and who that observes what
1t already has done see limits to its efficiency?
Since the adoption OF the Federal Constitution
nothing has contributed so much to extend inter
course through the States the invention oil
steamboats,. No Legislation, aud no possible direc.
ton oil the revenue to public improvements, could
have effected so much the steam engine and
this was contrived, perfected, and applied to navi
CATION by the genius and wealth of Individuals
Next TO this agent, the most important service &c
Internal communication has been rendered by the
New York canal, and this was the work of the
State. with such examples, we need not fear
that our progress will be arrested by the confine
ment oil the General Government to general OBJ
jects. We are not sure, that, were every obiec
ton which I'VE have stated removed, we should be
anxious 10 interest national legislature n pub.
lie improvements. As people, we want no new
excitement. Our danger rather is from over-ac-
ton, from impatient selfish enterprise, from fe.
verish energy, from too rapid growth, rather than
from sagnation and lethargy. A calm, sober
steady government, is what we chiefly need
| May 1t be kept from the hands of theorists AM
spectators.
We have not yet exhausted the question, how
government may best strengthen and perpetual,
our Union. There is one OF its establishments
which, in this point OF view, we highly value, an,
winch we tear Is not sufficiently priced for the
highest benefits which it coniers. Ne refer Il
the Post Office The facilities which this inst
tuition affords TO the government for communica.
ton with all parts OF the country, are probably re-
garded by too many as the most important nationa
service which II renders But il does incompara-
Oily more for us as a community Ii does much
towards making us one, by admitting free comnlu-
nicafion between distant parts of the country
which no other channel of intercourse couId brine
together. IL binds the whole country I'm a chain
OF sympathies, and makes it in truth one great
nelghborhood. 1t promotes kind Of society be-
tween the sea shore and the mountains II per.
petuates friendship between those who are never
10 meet again. 1t binds the family in the new set.
Element and half-cleared forest TO the cultivated
spot from which it smigrated. 1t facilitates be-
yond calculation, commercial conner IONS and the
Interchange of products. On this account, we al
ways grieve to see statement of the revenue ac-
cruing to government from the Post Office II
ought not to yield cent TO the treasury 1t should
simply support itself Such importance do we
attach to the freest communication tetween all
parts oil the country, muce do we desire IN at the
poor as well as rich, may enjoy the means of in.
tercourse, that we would sooner have the Post Of
nee tax on the revenue, than one of its sources
We pass 10 another method by which the go
vernnent is TO strengthen the Union. We know
i
and independence to the National Judiciary. Lee
Congress feel, LET the people feel, that to this de-
partinent the security of the Union is especiall,
committed, that il is the great preservative power
among our institutions, and that its sanciity can
not be 700 leaiously protected. Its office is Il
settle peacefully the questions between the differ.
emf States and their citizens, which, without il
would be settled by arms. What bsneticence ant
dignity belong TO this function Nor is this all
affords to citizens, who feel themselves aggiev
ed by an unconstitutional law, the means of peace
'ul resistance. IL gives them an opportunity of he
ing heard before a tribunal, on which the most so.
lemn obligations 10 justice are laid, and which i.
emInently Tilted to be an umpire between the cit
izeh aud the legislature. We know not how 90
VeTDment can contribute effectually to il.
o"" s'aOh'y than by Teverencing and guarding
the rights OF the National Judiciary Congress-
which should trench on its independence, ouch
10 be counted guilty OF a species OF sacriIepe
FROM considering the Importance of the Judi
cary 10 our Union, we are naturally led 10 anothe
department. OF The government, and one which +
particularly worthy of attention, because al III.
present moment II seems to menace our coufede.
ration more seriously than any other cause W.
reler to the Executive Department. We refer Z,
the struggles which the election 10 the presidencv
has again and again provoked. These are too so
Tenn aud fearful TO he over looked a remedy
must be found, or The country will be throw
into perpetual conynlson4, and split into factions
devoted each 10 chief. We shall waste orr.
selves in struggles for few leaders, who by their
prominence will become dearer TO people than
their irstiuio $, and in lighting for our favorites
we may become tlIe slaves
This evil W" regard growing one; and we
know but one remedy for it, The people must
acquire just self respect. This they want II
has been represssd by false notions about govern.
ment which have come down from ages Of mon
afohy. The spirit Of freedom, Of which we SO
much boast, has not given a due elevation of sen.
timent TO the community; and therefore the COM
munity uasely binds itself TO leaders as IL they
were superiors a people should unJerstanl he
greatness and dignity too well 10 attach much
lmnnriance 90 anY inLiyilnal IN ahnuIL ra.u-A