Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-01-31

ram tnio the ocean. we will have given a fatal
wound to the peace oil the Commonwealth. He
said, he regarded it ASA sacred duty. not to saw
any thing which might infu-e into the hearts Of
the people, the poison OF sectional hatred; aud he
should now avail himself Of the latitude of debate
allowed 70 other gentlemen, only for the purpose
OF applying, "a far as il in his power an anti
dote to the venomous Installations already made.
1t would be recoected, he said, thst the gene
raj tenor oil the debate, for some days past, had
been calculated to convey the impressions that the
people of the West contributed but little to the
support OF the government--that they are always
asking for aid-have been gratified in adj their
wishes, and are still disseminated and clamorous
Tor reform. Ii was mistake, and the sooner cor
rected the better. Error, he said, no matter how
gross gains credit by oleraton and after long ac-
quiescence, assumes the air OF truth. lis imme-
date offspring IS prejudice, which soon dims the
clear mirror OF the understanding and vitiates the
best feelings Of the heart. This was not the first
occasion on which complaints had been made of
the number OF applications for legislative aid, that
came from the West 1t was not the first time
the Keen edge OF sarcasm and ridicule had been
turned against that quarter Of the state With
what justice, he would leave i. to the candid to
judge.
For more than 200 years, said Mr. B. ave. from
the landing OF the colonists at Jamestown in 1905,
TO the present day. the people Of Eastern Virginia
nave been employed in improving their moral and
Phy'icai condition. Ii government be blessing,
have had abundant time to smooth the surface OF
their country-to mature their municipal laws
and TO perfect their social and literary institutions
Look at the other picture. Sixty years ago, and
not white man was to be found in Virginia. West
OF the Allegheny Mountains The present in
habitans found 1t wilderness. Without wealth
without the means Of mental culture, or the
facilities OF agricultural commercial prosperity,
they have been left to struggle unaided, with al
the natural disadvantages VI an insulated pust;on
fr0rn NDrth r,pfop 4,
tor toys--receive them, and then quarrel about
them and throw them away. At the age of 40,
man views, with reproving gravity, the caprices
OF the child, that cries for the arms of its nurse
or begs tor toy. But, before his lip curs into
an expression Of disdain, let him look hack to the
days OF his boyhood. and inquire whether he was
not guilty oil the same tollies Your wants are all
supplied, and you are now reposing in the lap Of
aEiuence and ease. But, before you reproach us,
examine the statutes at large, and see in what
forms, the aid of the government has
been extended TO you in former times There is
scarcely an object in the natural or moral world,
that has not been made the subject of Legislation.
lac truth is, the power Of the government has al
ways been III your hands, and YOU have useI il,
ior your own advantage II is at all times dificui;
to adapt general laws TO the wants and convenient
ces OF people scattered over an extensive tract
OF country. But,SYhere there is such marked
diversity OF intereeS, as exists between the Easi
and est, one portion the other must Suffer
heavy oppression. shall refer TO but one i'll
stance. our general land-iaw, which inilicts 10
injury on the East, has had the unhappy effect OF
involving the West in almost irretrievabe ruin.
The most we can hope for, is, TO be relieved by
partial ieg'sla'ion~from the tyranny of general
laws.
We are charged, said Mr.. B., with being poor
and burthen TO the Treasury. Admit it for a
moment; and is il th@part of wisdom to indulge
hnaVaiing complaints, nstead of seeking rene
ny! Adopt liberal policy, and we will no longer
NpIi m nh. Ira
tons 10 do so? We are members of the same So
cld family, claim common ancestry, and view
with equal pride the historic honors of the COM
'nonWeaih. Ii were 10 name sentiment that
reserves 10 be more deep and peryadine than ano-
her. it would be, that this fair domain which we
inherited from our iaherS--the spot where genius
aud patriotism, and all the high horn virtues dwei
whose territories, now FILTERED down to a rem
nant, once stretched far and wide, in our broad
belt, from ocean to ocean, shall suffer no dirninu-
lion whilst it's ours. separation between the
last and West has been suggested. Sir no man.
here or elsewhere, seriously contempiates such an
event. We would NOT part with you-you would
not permit u.s. IL wished it. Rather let all
every quarter OF thestate, and drawing still closer
the bonds OF interest and affe ction
But, Sir, 10 ii true, that the people of the West
no not contribute their just proportion to the sup
port OF This government? The power is in your
hands-you name the rate of taxes and they paw
them. Though not great in amount, they are
ptoporuoneu TO their property, and he who gives
you Ole dollar out OF his hundred, feels the bur
then as heavily as he who gives ten out of his
thousand. This is not all. You have the I'M
limited Unite. command OF their personal services
" hen hostile fleet, lowered around your coast.
ready 10 pour forth its hosts, To plumber your
dwellings, and ravage your country, did not these
transmontane people leave their homes,-trayerse
your plains, and take their stand by your side, to
rtPei the invader! When danger threatened in
IN attu I'll otaA i,,,l
British gold, was beginning his murderous work
On the North W estern frontier, were not the same
gallant moun:aneers 10 be seen, al the first call OF
their country. marching with Cheerlulness % the
distant conflict The gentleman from Northamp-
ton says, these services were compensated with
money. Sir, the poor, starving recruit, whom
you enlist in the streets for give pounds down and
a new cockade," may indeed be compensated by
the paItry sum you give him. His grovelng ap-
petites and silly vanity are almost satisfied, in the
with which he views the tinsel that
adorns his coat But, when the ciiizen-iarmer
exchanges his garb for the attire of soldier, and
quits his home for "the tented field" il il no
nercenary motive which carries him forth, but
The pure spirit Of PATRIOTISM, that burns within
nd when he falls on the battle field, and pours
put his blood on your barren sands, think YOU it
is a sacrifice which can be requited in gold! Oh!
no, Sir,-it is ssyond all price. Your treasury is
TOO poor to purchase IL.
Ii has been said again and again, that the mass
oil property is on this side of the mountains And
what, SIR, is il that guards this tempting spoil,
from the rapacity OF neighboring states and
tons? Ii is knowledge OF the fact, that you can
bring into the field, 100000 militia-men. The
Hesperan fIuil is safe, while the dragon lies at
the gateway. Ii is enough that he IS known to
be there, and faithful to his trust; aud though he
sleeps, no awless freebooter will venture 10 dis.
turb his slumbers.
Ii is novel doctrine, said Mr.. b., that men are
TO participate in the benefits of government orIv