Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1848-01-11
TTE RICHMOND ENQUIRER.

history OF our recent legslation on the SUBJECT
shows that those two branches OF me 20
vernment (if our Executive can be called a
branch) which do not emanale so lmmeuia'ey
from The people, as The House OF Delegates, nave
Interpreted The popular will in more enlalgeu
and comprehensive spirit on this suplect 'nan 'ue
last named body. Led by their position TO view
i; more exclusively in those aspects which were
common TO all sections, their judgment has been
less swayed by the individual desires OF lhose
sections and consequently decisive action mas
been prevented b. The disagreement oi inc TWO
legislative branches. These cIssenslons nave
been, ii is lrue often 10 The credit oil me lower
House and the advantage OF The State but We
former having had lis own way so long, should,
one would think, be disposed now TO venture
little in behalf o. The larger policy-to forget nome
for few hours, or at least 10 remember that lnal
home is in Virginia.
The whole system Of Internal Improvement,
as adopted by these numerous States which are
now able 10 leach us lis tnrariable success "nen
thoroughly este1, lies 10 4 nutshell. IL CONSISTS
in first fading centre, then The circumference,
connecting the TWO in as many quarters as POSI-
bic, and leaving he sectors to take care oil lhem-
selves The movement Of commerce is like lhal
OF consolidation towards nuclei and like u thas
characteristic types and modes OF formation,
which are not easily altered or broken inIo. Ma
lure has given US much larger arc, and much
more available centre, Than any other OF the Al
lantc SAFES. The most magnificent portion Of
the "area Of freedom" has been from untold ages
sheltered Tor Us by The "ioresl and The rock.
The struggle between The PuriIans and the Ca
valers was a drawn battle in England. Why
may il not at least with these advantages on our
side he so here2 II will be for The benefit OF both
when they are merged in one, and i, will be pecu-
arly for our benefit when il is done on our soil.
Union is the grea, principle ofour national exist
ence, and Virginia can Stand by il alone. We
must be united ameng ourselves, aud we must be
united with the rest OF the contederacy; and ii is
not hard 10 say which will have 10 be done first.
| Only half he work is on our hands-lhe rest will
be done by our neishbors
|, seems TO me that what has been principally
| deficient in our movements towards Internal I'M
provement hitherto is perseverance and fixed
ness OF purpose. | might add boLdness TOO, per-
haps, but we have shown abundance Of that IN
projecting. We appear 10 have attacked The dill
hculiies IN cur way here on The Chinese military
system-marching up 10 the enemy with terrific
determination, making series 81 ugly faces a.
him, inlerspefsed with awful noise and shouting
and then retiring, leaving the use Of weapons
less Intangible 10 those who Come after US. This
halfway policy has been The constant legacy from
one Assembly 10 the nexl, until il has come 10 be
considered kind Of entail, too sacred 10 be bro.
ken in upon. This is the only kind Of consis
lency which has been shown, and even this has
been (happly) abandoned OF late years or rather
signs OF lis abandonment given. Yet decision
and strict adherence 10 system are wanting yet
all the celebration, discussion, patient invesiga
lion, and impatient eloqnence, which have ol
years al once testified and acknowledged the
strength OF the popular feeling on This great subject
have failed OF any definite end