Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1841-12-07
RICHMOND. Va, TUESDAY. DEC. =. 1871,
.Mrssuo, ofMe .jriino Gorcrnor.

We Law before our readers this morning a public
Document, which we cordially recommend 10 The
serious consideration of every reader. II is The al
mirable Message Of MIR. Rutherford TO the Gene
raj Assembly. Excellent in the temper II display:
comprehensive in lis views-touchins all the srea
interests of the State in a wise and d'gnliled sPirl
blinking no questions that relate to the great IN.
teresls or the principles Of Vi%rginia-bnt meeting
them all in a firm, but conciliatory manner, u
must command respectful attention, even If Il does
not extort the appreciation of all our politicians. There
is no non ,commitialism about it. Long as tits, we can
scarcely for the life of us see how it could be made
shorter, without weakening its force, Or destroying It's
value.
We have no room 10 spare this morning for a detailed
analysis of its various propositions But We cannot
forbear to say, that all lis principles are derived from
the living fountain Of the Virginia School. He goes
against a Bank OF the U. S.-against the Distribution
Act, which he declares ought 10 be repealrd-He re-
commends a prudent arrangement for the resumption
OF payments by the Banks-but lays down the posi-.
ton, ,ha,t would be "expedient 10 extend the relief
ITO the Banks) afforded by the act of the Legislature
Of the 18th of March last, limited, hoerrer, to a perind
which, while il may afford due time for relief, will
preclude the idea Of future dulgence'-That is 10
say, that they should be compelled TO resume during
the year, without expecting any culture indulgence
from the Legislature, than can be extended during the
present Session-in other words, that a time for resump-
lion should be fixed before the mex session. lie points
out certain Internal improvements to be made, but lays
GOWN " WISE dAiiI 81 Po"NiiuhI ''~N - s
Jefferson, that in a time Of peace no loan should or
contracted, before Il tax has been LAID Tor raising the mo
ney To pay the interest, and gradually to eStingu'sh the
principal. He proposes some important reforms 10 De
made in the Militia System. lie throws out some va
luable SUGGESTIONS upon the system OF Education-ie
touches with great force the Controversy with New
York, Tin which we have no doubt he has displayed u
signal superiority over Governor Seward)-and makes
a thrilling appeal against the lnpudent ianaticism OF
the reckless Abolit.onists.
l., , ,rord po acpmoaD this hIaSsap p Q5 worthy
Of the nigh station 10 which Mr.. Rutherford has been
temporarily elevated, and Of the great principles Of
the Virginia School. If We were to select any parll'
cular passage which pleases ns most, 1t would be It's
manly and cogeni remarks on the great question .!
Distribution. The Message protests against any reli-
ance upon The Distribution Fund, either for Internal
Improvement or for Education. On the hiter point, a
similar Doubt is expressed III the following concluding
| passage from the Report, submitted yesterday to the De
neral Assembly on the state OF The Literary r und, ny =
Brown, Jr, Second Auditor, and Superintendent Of The
, Literary Fund, one of the most accomplished 9th
GERS in the Commonwealth. There IS, Of course, thus
difference between the Message and the Report: aIr.
Rutherford goes The whole against The Distributions:
Mr.. Brown is only opposed TO It's Appropriation to fri-
mary Schools:
.sThe opinion seems TO be generally entertained, by
the most intellise mt and ex perienced superintendent oil
the schools in other States, as FAR as have seen, thai
the establishment Of n general system oil education, IN.
tended for the equal benefit of all classes, the annualex
pensc Of which is to be betrayed out of some fund winch
will do away the necessity Of taxing the people IN any
degree for is support, is highly i%mpoiitie, and not only
injurious To the perfection OF such a system, out caicu-
| lated tn deteriora.c il. i. IS deemed Indispensable tha'
tie peopIe should be stimulated through contributions
from their purses TO take an interest IN lis management
and maintenance, or at least, SO far To interest them
selves as to ascertain what good their own children
derive from it. The frequent alluslon a few years ago
to The application of the whole OF the U. States sur
plus revenue accruing to this State, and al the pre-
sent iuncture 10 the anticipated receipts from the pro-
ceeds Of the United States lands, to this purpose, have
induced me to submit, with due Difference the foregoing
remark"
The mos, striking passage in the whole Message IS the
conclusion Of it, which makes so powerful an appeal
against the designs Of The hbolitIonists. We ieaTthat
the movements in Congress. perhaps this week, con
Quoted by such Ilot-purs as Messrs. Adams and Siadr,
will give point to these remarks. In all PROBABILITY
they will prove wor IS in senson.