Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1836-05-10


nifty.
There is also striking difference between the pnlili-
cal situation Of those countries and that Of ours. which
gives to these defensive preparations character of
pnr,ance which never apply to the United States
The possession Of pila in the Eastern hemisphere is
too often the possession OF the kingdom. Habits of feel
ing and opinion, political asSoculons and other
combine 10 the metropolis undue ascendencY.
Internal parties. contendng for superiority and
nal enemies aiming at conquest equally seek To gain pos
session Of the seat Of government And The most care
less observer Of the events Of the last half century must
be struck with the fact, that the fate Of the capitals and
the Kingdoms Of modern Europe closely connected
tngelhcr Under such circumstances it may be prudent
by powerful !oriresscs To bar the approaches 10 these ia
vorcd Places and frequently TO construct works TO defend
them from external attack or to maintain their occupa
lion against internal violence.
But there is nothing like this in our country, nor CAN
there be till lcre is total change in our Institutions
Our seats Of government merely the places where
the business Of the proper departments is conducted
and have not themselves the slightest influence upon
any course Of measures, except what is due to public
opinion and to their just share Of it If the machine it.
self were ilncran the result would he precisely the
same Or, if by any of the accidents Of war or pcsti
encc, the proper authorities compelled 10 change
their place of c0nrocalion the change would be wholly
unoLse rived, except by the few whose personal
nence would be affected by the measure. Nor have
commercial capitals any more preponderaling influence
than political ones nd although their capture by
enemy and the probable loss of property md drrange
men Of business which would be the result, might Sc
fiously affect The community, yet it would not produce
the slightest effect upon the social or political systems Of
The country. The power belongs TO all, aud exercised
by all
1t follows therefore, that enemy could have no in
duccmrnt 10 hazard expedition against any Of our
cities under the expectation That their capture and pos
session would lead to political results favorable to them
Washington may indeed be taken again, and its fall would
produce The same emotion which every where felt
when lis former capture known. But an enemy
would retire from it with few advantages marked
its first ndonnent, and if his the same
with Few aurels as he won by its possession make
these remarks because it TO Inc that of the
principles of the European system of Notifications may
possibly be transferred to this country without sufficient,
attention having been given to those circumstances both
geographical and POLITICAL which require plan ex-
clusively adapted to our own condition.
l consider Of the existing and projected works
larger than necessary and calculated for exgen
cies ought not, with the prospects before lis,
t,c'pate Ii such is the fact the objection is not only
the expense of their construction and preservation but
also to the greater difficulty Of defending them and the
increased garrisons which must be provided and main
tanned The hypothesis upon which their ezten. has