Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1833-05-24
FOR THE Enquirer.
"Fuit Iiumr
Brenthes there a man with soul go dead
Who never TO himself hath said,

land?
lhsre Is no subject now, which has been, pre-
sened to the public mind, replee with interest such
vital Importance the which stands the head OF
this article.
No country did. can. rise to great eninence
Tor internal prosperity, without great internal i'm
pioVement; some leading Improvement which will call
into action all the energies of the country.
This fact has been long understood and must be fully
impressed on 'he mind OF every one, who processes
have any thing Of the character oil Statesman.
III this be is ii not time that old Virginia should full
~ understand the fact? And is il because she has for
gotten this important fact that she has heretofore been
so tariy in her internal improvements? Ha. she hereto
lore looked with sufficient steadiness this great subject?
And should not her themselves action ,otc7
would call attention. TO what in great for the i'm
tcrest oil my country, but doubt with feeble pen
would now say on this subject. And would in the first
place. put the following questions seriously every Vir
gInan; yes TO every friend of his country Are ever
to have any great and commanding work of internal i'm
provement in Virginia? IL so, where shall On the
skirts OF the State, centre and through its
ry hesH Which IS the most desirable point for this i'm
provemenH The Roanoke. the James, the Potomac?
And which will conduce tho general interest OF
the State! III il is admitted that we must have some
ground OF internal improvement. before we can be-
come great ana prosperous, then the question arises
when yes, when shall we, like the foolish man, p, il
OIL ITO more convenient season. shall we like true
trends oil our country, true patriots, go work nor?
Ihese questions are soon 10 be answered. Iaa few
weeks the point Is 10 be decided, whether Virginia i. to
reclaim her brthright, or whether she is sink to the
lowest pitch OF political degradation Ii soon TO be de-
cded' whether she will, by the united aid Of her sons ga
ther up the fragments OF her broken energies lay firm
sn Tor perpeualgrowt whether she will sink down into
nsgnicance aud see star after star depart from her ho
zon until the gloomy night shall settle around er in thick
darkness Where, ask, is there subject so worthy the
consideration OF every one ? Where the patriot find
so much to arouse him, much 10 call forth the warmest
feelings oil his SOUL Where is there subject go rcpete
with interest so full Of importance! Canillus saved his
country from the invading army and sure he is not the
less worthy OF praise who will contribute any thing TO
save so favored country Virginia. from perpetual po.
verify aud inieriority
But let Ne glance land glance is oil we can eivel At
tic nf HE s,.t.
three which will lay hold Of, leaving The eaders mind
to supply The rest First Why have we been SO tarv in
carrying on internal Improvements in other words,
why are we III our present situation Secondly How
can we obviate these intervening causesi Thirdly What
WI be the consequences OF longer delay this subject
And iourbly, what would be the OF nie,-
ate and decisive action on this subject.
The most prominent Of delay this subject arc
pl'n and Obvious to every And to express it in
lew words, would but quote old reverend, but =
true mayip'-" house divided against itself cannot
stand Sad is the truth; but truth il IT, that the sons
oi virginia have been their worst enemies. Virginia ha.
destroyed the energies OF giant by dividing them She
mas been The destroyer OF her mighty gifts, by misunder
/ standing them
So blessed has State been and so blessed she by
nature, that her sons have looked local
rather than 10 general when calls have been made TN.
on the Legislature FOR appropriations for internal improve.
mens hey have been rendered ineffective by the multi.
dc OF claims set up When have asked Tor sppropri-
atoms Tor the James River Roanoke has said if we give 10
you we must have part also The Potomac seconded
by The lnsidous call Of Baltimore would claim her portion
49," "' "Sncu ioI appropriations petersburg
ss sad we must have some too When Petersburg Nor.
ok has cried out you are Rjurug my interest," and if any
money Is gwen 10 you, must have least portion
he mountains have IN appealed for aid they have
Always beeh met by conflicting local interests in the low
er county And thus our legislative hall has been made
we arena OF s,nie m reconeiIiog these ne-
rests and not being able TO settle any, t,cv have
neglected all Stned appropriations have been made il
rue And because these have been inadequate TO the
emo Proposed-thenee an argument has been drawn
against the probability Of the work n am understood
work hall DONE y no sample Of VIVA, may be done And