Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-12-14

their OWL traditions To meet the proposal OF
the Executive with a firm denial.
Equally opposed are We to any retrogradc
step which proposes to introduce specific in
stead of all valorem tariff duties. Indeed in
our Judgment, the ordinary expenses Of the
Government require no elevation of the pre-
sent rates of tariff duties. And il they do. we
are prepared to stand firm in the advocacy of a
strictly nd valorem tariff, adapted, not to plir-
poses of so-called protection" but entirely 10
raising a revenue just sufficient To meet ncces-
>ary governmental expenses.
And we are Obliged again TO protest against
any federal appropriation of land or money TO
works ol internal Improvement. However de.
srable a Pacific Railroad may be. We recog-
nize no necessity for its construction, sufficient
to authorize Congress to appropriate the prop
erty Of this Confederation Of States to any
purposes not prescribed by the Constitution.
We are well aware that our strict observance
Of the political landmarks Of o:m fathers will
meet with much opposition from many Sec
tioiis. The interests of our large cities at the
North may well favor bankrupt law the COLI
sequence of which will necessarily be 10 con.
centre in their hands the whole monetary
power Of the country y large portion Of the
western people may De persuaded TO favor
appropriations to internal improve ,cments, a!
which they will hc the immediate recipients.
Turbulent spirits from Baltimore To New Or
leans may rejoice in the prospect Of limilless
field Of territorial conquest Manufacturers
may still entertain the dcllsyc belief that
their interests arc best secured at the expense
Of their ncighborS. Still we will stand by
Stitution, and what We know 10 he the doctrines
of our fathers
1t is time that every rnan iii Virginia should
speak fearlcSSly and honestly Let the Hon
K. NJ. Hunter, the great financial leader of the
United States Senate at once take his position
OH these questions before the people Of Vr-
ginia.
Above all. lc, the Hon. John I.ctclicr declare
his opinion Il, 10 the position which Virgins,
ought to take at this moincnt He is not only a
financial leader in the House of Representatives,
but he has just become the representative man
Of Virginia Democracy. j. he in favor "f a
continued irritation of the old sore Of lccomlp-
tonism:. Is he in favor of appropriations
BY the General Government to internal i'm
provcmrmt>: Is Inc in favor of tariff Of
specific duties. for purposes Of protection,
or for any other purpose: Is he i'll favor
Of federal bankrupt law OF any sort
or description: Is he in favor Of increasing
the revenue beyond the immediate require
mcnt Of Ordinary expenses, in order to provide
beforehand for the purchase of new territories,
the establishment of II protcctoratc the con-
Struction OF Il Pacific railroad or any other
possibility. constitutional nr unconstitutional:
We are now engaged in advocating the cleo
ton of Mr.. Letcher, as Governor of Virginia.
Let him boldly announce the true doctrine of
Virginia Democracy on these questions. and hc
will at once trehly strengthen our arms for his
support. We respectfully request an early an
swcr from Mr.. Letcher.