Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1831-03-31

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the benefit OF another without receiving correspond
ing advantage themselves. when political compact
entered into, having tor its object the well
fare OF all the parties it, with the same laws for its
government and Joint treasury carry its opera
tons, can the interest of any OF the parties be ad
vanced without promoting tho general interest OF the
whole: Suppose partnership. formed FOR the pur
pose oil mercantile adventure, in which the whole cap
its oil each Is thrown into joint fund.- which constitutes
the stock OF the hrm-can the Interest of any one
be consulted without relative ncreas i'm the vaue Of
the capital s,ock'
But, Sir, the objects of Improvement designated
In the bill now under consideration, western improve
menH Is the connection OF the James River and the
hanawha, measure alone interesting to the people OF
my section OF the state? win the gentleman from
Goochland (Nir. Bryce) who represents a county
stretching along the margin of James River the gen.
tenan from Elizabeth city, MIR. Jones) who resides
near its MOUTH and represents nadine people, deep
y interested in the trade OF the Chesapeake tell us that
they have no lot or part in this matter? hat it is an
Improvement which viii benefit the western people
y and an attempt their part, to flch money from
the pockets Of their eastern bethren We look TO il as
scheme advantageous to both; but infinitely SO to
you than to US And II you will dcvelope the resour-
ces OF the western counties, by proper system OF i'm
provement, and by adjustment of the land titles of
that country giving quiet and pcrmanency property
you VIII hear no further complaints of inequality of con-
| tribution from that quarter.
The gentleman from Sussex, after discussing at
large, the merits OF the tariff, and ascrbing most OF
the evils under which are suffering to the opera.
ton of that system, tells that this mode OF improv-
ing the condition of the state equally obiectionabe
and will lead 10 the results with that other power
claimed by the Federal Government the right 10 make
improvements i'll the states. l cannot for the life of
me, perceive any resemblance in the comparison or
imagine how the objection urged against the exercise
OF that power by the General Government, can be
argued against the domestic exercise of power which
no one yet cOnended does belong to the State
authorities In the one case, there is great constilu-
uonal question involved which has divided the opin-
ions OF the best and wisest men in the Union. In the
other, the most astue politician, dreamy split
ter wandering through the field Of political theory to
lind obstacles to cavil at has yet started such an
Objection In what posture does the gcnteman's ar
gument place us! 1t is unconstitutional in the United
States TO make our improvement s- is equally obiec-
tionable Tor the State 10 construct hem because not
unconstitutional, il leads to intrigue corruption and
the most disgusting scenes OF scrambng for public mo-
ney In this pleasant dilemma, the gentlemen hoists
his neutral flag, with " Lasses nous |dire," as his
motto. Nothing will content him but the delightfll
inactivity OF Dogenes in his tub; and that others should
not intercept his sunshine, is all that ne requires IT,
sir, II be necessary to the preservation of the Union,
that Virginia should continue TO maintain her doctrines
in relation 10 the exercise of this disputed power the
part OF the Federal Government, as the gentleman
says ii is, then it is clear that she make improve
ments for herself. The people cannot will not ALWAYS
groan under the evils which they now endure Her
cules will be called upon. But let the state 90 earnest
ly tn work. and the people of Virginia will ask
any other aid he great state of New York the momen
she completed her Canal, found in the ranks OF
those who oppose this power.
In Heavens name, let no longer doom this old
commonwealth TO barren waste, for an ideal phantom.
Let us no longer be engaged in the chase of butter
flies while o hers Z" are reaping the jocund harvest"
Not to improve our natural advantages were TO sin
well as individual sins. To US has been given ten tall
emit; corresponding improvement will be demanded
| at our hands.
Should any feel tina, are not yet ripe for this
great work. let such remember that during the discus
sion in 1918, in the New York Legislature upon the
appropriation to the Erie Canal, it was derided by an
Influential! member, as I" big dtch;'' in which were
to be buried the treasures OF the Commonw wealth
That, by member Of the Senate, il was said 10 be
measure involving the bankruptcy of the State.
That Mr.. Jefferson thought it was an enterprise
commenced century too soor; which he, however
afterwards relrscted, and said ii was a century too
late.
That MIR. Madi'on deemed it an undertaking exceed
| ing the entire resources OF the wi ole nation.
That Rufus King refused 10 sign a memorial 10 tbe
Legislature, in 1sl6; alleging, that the work far ex-
ceeded the revenue OF the United SAFES.
Sir, Virg mia not alone ted in this improve
msnt Tie whole southern country il compsjning
OF the grinding monopOlies OF the north. Our impo-
taons are all through that channel We are Indebted
to no. thefn capital and northern tonnege Tor almost
| every thing we receive from abroad. New York is
| swf lowing up every thing. Bring the commerce of
| the west to the Chesapeake, and you at once make
Norfolk the great impor inE city of the South We
should no longer pay the tribute much com.
planned OF.
But how inconceivably important is it in political
point OF vew that the rising States of the West should
be attached to us by every lgament Mr. Sneaker il
is not given 10 trail man TO know what may be the
destiny which Divine Providence may have in reserve
for him, or his institutions. 1t is best So
Oh blindness to the future kindly gven
That each may fill tho circle marked by Heaven"
But the period may aTIye-GOd gran! thai II may be
ng defer ed-when he foundations of his gre at cor
fsde a'y shall be broken up. When the clemens o.
str e shall arise among ,ti' now happy family o. aes
Gu ting in twain the bonds which unite u.s. and suner-
ing into fragments, this splendid Republic Where
then, is TO be the commerce of the west and where
the affections OF the people? Give them 10
the north through New-York and Pennsylvania, and
what is TO be the fate of this southern country Now
you have it in your power 10 unite them to you or-
ever. Their preposessions with us-they have
mostly gone from among us-the homes of their ia.
theirs in the southa the kindly reccollectons o
their youth, in this direction-Open, then This
great channel OF intercourse and when that cloud which
is said even be skrting the edge of our political
horizon, shall have gathered into blackness and burst
upon us, we shall be found, in the language of Clinton
bound together by the golden ties Of commerce. and
the adamantine chains of interest,""
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENT BILLS
Some alta ks have been made by the oppo,ition Oh
Pfeslden! Jackson, for sguiug during the present
sion, bills making appropriations for certain internal
mpr ne t., alleging that this il Inconsistent
win tie refusal OF his signature TO the bills passed al
the last Sc sion IL is evident enough that they who
make the attack Lave Tot the acts in question
and throw ou the assertion OF Inconsistency at random
We observe also that the National INTEL gencer which
generally accurate as TO its details Of
business, seems TO cOniOund one OF the bills which
passed, with anoheT which reached me Presi.
dent AS the sutj ct does not to be very well
Understood, even among our friends, we have taken
pains 70 inform Ourselves respecting il, both from an
inspection OF the bile, where il was pfac icabe and
by enquiry ron members Of Congress
The 'hfee several bills providing for internal i'm.
HI