Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1848-02-18
by WM F. & THO's RICHIE, JR


experience, aud The changes lu which they were
exposed being in themselves and noI in others,
they were prepared 10 meet them. On the one
hand, the extent OF unoccupied territory saved
Them from the dangers oil a crowded population,
which are said 10 be most trying 10 popular go.
vernments; whilst on the other many favoring
circumstances concured in forming public OPT
Mon sufficiently sound and enlightened TO direct
a government safely. Nor was this all, they
were fortunately, no, sir, providenlialy, settled in
different communities, separated not in race or
feeling, but according TO physical differences,
which 10 some degree gave a local tinge 10 pub
lie sentiment. They came together as separate
communities, and upon conditions which enabled
each Stale 10 develope its peculiar genius, and
placed them under common bonds only Tor the
common defence and the free interchange 10
trade and intercourse with each other. A
voluntary association OF tree republics was
thus formed, in which, by skillul disrI-
button OF duties, and a wise classification
oil Interests, the whole subject OF government was
placed within the reach OF popular control. Ths
sense OF the people was taken by parts in matters
ettecting only the parts, and their action became
common only where the interests were general -
This form OF the federal principle presented man,
for the first time in his history, rational hope Of
solving practically the great problem OF accumu-
laling social power in large masses, without pre-
JUDGE to individual freedom The capacity Of des-
polio governments for extensive dominion has
been many times allesled; but their experience
seemed to prove that individual liberty was The
price TO BE- paid for il. For the first time in the
annals OF man, rational prospect TOR empire was
opened 10 the Democratic principle in its progress,
through The voluntary association OF our free re-
publics, whose strongest cohesive bond consisted
In the common sympathies and sentiments OF
-. ~
Tor future developments, uDoccupied territory lay
before them, boundless ii would have seemed, las
wish could claim" 10 convert This wilderness 10 the
uses of civilized man, TO settle it with homoge.
nous and fraternal people, TO cultivate sound and
enlightened public opinion, and institute gov
eminent which should depend upon and reflect
il, were the great aims OF our fathers. II is
plain that they believed that the interests and
tastes of our people would lead 10 peace; and
upon this supposition founded the hope OF accom-.
plshiDg such destiny. The government was
organized with strength Tor defence; but there is
not feature in it which fits il for conquesiS and
aggressive war. No extensive war OF this cha
racter could be carried on tor ten years, without
destroying the balances OF our government, and
changing The distribution OF power amongst It's
paris. We are strong enough 10 make it The in.
terest OF others 10 avoi! conflict with US; and
We are so organized and circumslanced as 10
have ourselves the deepest interest in peace. II
we can fill this vast country, over which we have
litle from sea 10 sea with iraternal people, viz
luous and wise enough to administer their own
government and provide Tor all the wants OF
highly refined civilization, we shall have done
more Than ever was effected before, and enough
10 satisfy the loftiest aspirations OF AMBITION
But it must be confessed that The difficulty u the
task increases with the exlen, OF our territory and
-. - IL all 1T ir1r al
races and with kindly feeling. That he diversi-
ties OF sectional interest, and The relative power
Of the Executive increases with the extension Of
territory is scarcely 10 be denied. But with the
great Improvements in The means oil intercourse,
aud the steady march Of popular intelligence, II
is perhaps not eXlravaeant TO hope that our race
may grow 10 this greatness with capacities i'm
proved by exercise, and powers gradually devel.
opsd in the discharge Of The new duties imposed
upon them b. their growth. What other people
ever enjoyed The prospect Of attaining such pow
er without cIime7
But 10 reach This coDsumma'ion ii is essential
that certain conditions must be observed in the
course OF our progress. As our empire extends
we mus, diminish the action OF the central gov
eminent on The paris, 10 avoid the double danger
az increasing the tendencies 10 sectional division
and the undue growth Of Executive power, which
becomes relatively greater 10 our system as we
mnlt;nly in numbers This cannot well be done
with The expenditures and The funding system re-
oured by frequent wars. Its necessary too, thai
the vast country which we are 10 occupy should
be covered with homogeneous and fratefnal peo-
ple, a people growing 10 intelligence as they in
crease in power 10 justify US in hoping Tor that
harmony OF sentiment, and sound and enlightened
public opinion, which are indispensable 10 The sue
ce,stul administration OF popular Institutions
This cannot be expected il alien and hostile races
are 10 be suddenly incorporated in cur body polite.
Indeed i, is much, The less sanguine might say loo
much, 10 expect TO accomplish The ends which |
have supposed to be within the legitimate range |
or our hope. STILL sir, believe il may be done,
il we are true 10 ourselves and faithful 10 our
mission. We have already accomplished So
much. our past course has been so wonderful and
successiul, that il would seem 10 be not eItrava-
CANT to entertain this hope Tor The future. Expe-
renee demonstrates, that Inc progress oil pubic
intelligence and virtue dimnishes the range Of The
necessary interference Of government, and places
under The control Of public opinion, and The gui-
lance OF individual interest, many subjects which
heretofore have been regulated by law. II The
cohesive power OF The bonds by which our socie-
" is held together is daily weakened by The ex,en-
sion Of our population il is also Gay strengthen
"a nv improvements in the means OF intercourse.
The introduction OF the principles OF free trade
removes many OF the causes OF sectional jealous
les and diminishes the subjects OF necessary le-
gislalon. II the extension oi our people ncreas-
es the difficulties OF Tree government, the march OF
mind developes new resources for overcoming
Them. Tha, there are limits 10 This capacity IS
NOT 10 be denied but is eqnal, believe, to The
accomplishment Of The mission upon winch we
were SEM. Can more magnificent destiny BE-
conceived than the realization OF such hopes 3
nfS will elements
Of light, life, and civilization, in their pufest
forms and highest combinalon-to wiring from
The reluctant grasp OF earth the fruits which she
Yields only 10 human skill and industry, and TO
discover resources in the boundless stores OF ma
iure for every new or increasing want which
progressive civilization may develop-lo acquire
moral influence more extensive and enduring
than any power Of the swoLd, and which eniorces
homage, no, from The lips, but The heart OF every
human being who can feel The force OF benifcenl
example. Happy ourselves, and be cause of
happiness in others, what higher tribute could
NE offer to Him who has endowed US with
sncb unparalleled advantages, than The spec
tacle of such a power guided by The spirit oil
ius,ice aud moderation, and directed 10 vir;u-
ons eod.3 But Mr. President, great glorious,
and exciting as is this picture oil our iutnre, we
mnst reverse il all if We lake The other course,
and launch into career OF war and conquest
IF we expect to increase from plundering The
stores OF others, if we wish TO acquire glory from
The skin with which we work tha, human machine
called an army, and to emulate the march OF those
who carved their way with the sword, II may oe
well 10 look 10 the end OF that ROAD before we lake
il. Undoubtedly we have the power 10 become
scourpe TO others, but there is danger thai we may
leave our own life in the sting. There are daily
symptoms Of a growing disposition in The public
mind for wars Of conquest, which have observ-
ed with the deepest regret. The conscious visof
oil early manhood is generally amol!lons Oh als'
play. But, believe, that there coulo De no I'm
ZION and The circumstances which surround
us. who would no, decide that it is ourselves
more than others whom we need 10 conquer,
We already hear of public opinion forming Tor
the absorption of the whole OF Mexico, OF It's an
ne1atiou as an independent province. No sucn
propositions have been formally made IN tins
L..