Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-01-09

lle Two great parties which divide thus CITY. Is
not this a most extraordinary argumenll Would
not such criterion prove fatal 10 all social
feeling and 10 The advancement Of any great
measure for the benefit Of the community or
State? Is The voice Of party never 10 be sliiledl
Is The advancement Of education, or other deSira-
bic public benefit, 10 be decided exclusively upon
Wing or Democratic grounds2 Heaven forbid
that this fatal doctrine be infused into the policy
OF Virginia.
We have not canvassed the views of Rich
mond, in a political point OF view, as 10 The me-
rils of hi. question. 1t is idle, however, 10 say,
that every Wing is opposed, and every Demo
crat friendly, 10 he Armory School. We know
many leading Wings who favor The measure
and there may be Democrats untricndiy 10 it,
This is not a question Tor political feeling. II
rests upon its own merits, ard by such should it
be Judged.
Bat lei US sum up the evidence OF the feelings
Of Richmond on this question The Editor Of
he Wing is The only prominent champion, that
We know Of who represents The negative. The
affirmative is maintained by "Dr. Plumer, Mr..
Lyons and The Enquirer whom The Wing sheer
iney describes as three very high authorities
no doubt, in Oriaodo1y, JFhiegeyy and LOeOtcco-
ism-but yet, in this case, all shooting wide OF
TIE mark" Yesterday morning, we hailed the
Times as a coadju;or III his good cause. That
paper says:
"TnE ARMoRY ScnooL.-We are gralifled 10
learn from the Enquirer, that Governor Smith is
the warm treLd 81 This proposed institution which
we trust 10 see established, certainly before his
term OF office shall have elapsed. Ills an inslu-
tion which we believe will confer a greater
amount OF benefit on Inc State than any other,
requiring no larger outlay Than will lie appropri-
aled 10 il The Tears and apprehensions OF some
with regard 10 il, we feel perfectly satisfied, are
groundess. We cannot see single valid ohlec-
ion 20 i,-and we do see that il will confer bene-
fits OF the most valuable character upon The Stale. =
The Wing will not deny tina, he Times repre-
senls the political opinions ola respectable portion
OF the Wing party. We, thus, have arrayed on
The side Of the Armory School the Wing city De-
legale The "Timcs" Zone of the Wing organs }
DR.. Plumer The d,cadfulleader Of The Presbyterian
"sec,arans," and The Inquirer, (the representa-
tive of =. ocofocosm' ITO these "aulhorites" is
opposed the heavy artillery of the Wing alone,
the peculiar organ OF Inc true Wings" OF Rich
mond These naked points may throw SINE
light upon the real sentiments OF Richmond on
this question. Upon its own grounds, then, We
think The Wing wli have TO "confcss the corn. ("
We shall not repeat the views which we have
already fully dwell upon The Wing "bess
The question" when it refers 10 the danger OF dis
banding The Public Guard, "a disciplined, expe-
rienced and steady corps" and substituting "par-
eel of harem, scarem boys" We have ex-
pressly recommended the admission oil no cadets
who are too young 10 undergo all the fatgues o!
service We would willingly consent 10 pro-
vision that none under eighteen years OF age
should be admitted. This is, now, the muster
ase-and would any citizen, however prudent or
iuid, lie afraid 10 entrust the arms and the Pub
lie property 10 such soldicrsl Let it, moreover,
be "nomnated" in The BILL that the Public Guard
is not 10 be disbanded, until the Cadets are suiti-
denlly qualified 10 discharge all the duties, and
all ground for caving will be removed.
We shall not attempt 10 verify our calcula-
lions Of the probable cost. They were made
with care, and We are willing 10 submit them 10
the test Of truth and experience in the hands OF
The Legislature.
We still adhere firmly 10 the proposition ORR
ginally laid down, that the money now appro-
priated 10 mere "poice" for the public pro-
perry, can be easily convertible the noble purpose
OF educating one hundred young men, al the same
lime protecting the public property as perfectly as
al present. This is The common-sense viewot the
sutjecl-and we appeal 10 the Legislature 10 carry
into execution this beneficial improvement
Every one can see the true origin Of the
Wings cry of "wolf'' against what he imagines
to be deep game OF Presbyterian "sectarian-
ISM" Last November, DR.. Plumer had the
frmness 10 vote for Mr.. Polk. lie was the only
minister in the city, who voted on that side
MANY other ministers voted for MIR. Clay, and
the Democrats uttered not syllable OF COM
plant against their exercise of an undoubled
privilege DR.. Plumer however, gave silent
vote for Mr. Polk, in accordance with his esla.
b!ished political prncipes-and al once he was
assaied by The Wing. In every form he was
ampooned; his house Of worship was rdcuied
as The "Thuudergusl Church" &C., &C., &c. But
such attacks did not shake The confidence of his
Wing parshioEers in DR.. Plumer. They will
moi now affect in The least, his good name, or en-
danger the success of the Armory School, becau%
il is advocated by DR.. Plumer.