Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1859-01-18
lrroE. the Norfolk Argus
Robert L. MONTAGUE on Internal improvements

Robert L. Montague on Internal improvements
We have ever believed liberal and enlght
cnci system Of Internal Improvements abso
iulcly necessary Tor the development of the ex
hau>tlcSs resources Of Virginia, and the pros.
pclity Of her people, and we have increasingly
advocated the Inauguration and speedy compile
ton Of the public works which form the grand
Internal Improvement system Of our Common.
wealth.
If there he one thing which could make US
rciav party discipline it would be the advance.
mcnt 81 y cause with which the prosperity Of
on: city ami State are inscparably interviewer.
With these feelings. with this jealousy Of the
,ansc q! internal improvements in our breasts,
W. we're the advocates of the nomination Of
Robert j. Montague for Lieutenant Governor.
The SER: ice, rendered 10 the Democracy Of his
native State. his talents, his probity and worth,
entitled him 10 such reward from his party;
but all this would have gone for nothing with
,l.. il We ha! not known he was the friend Of
rrogrc-5-"f iudicouS system Of internal
improvements Before his nomination, long
bcior" hi Lan& was spoken Of in connection
wish the position ot Lieutenant Governor, he
exprcssrd such sentiments: and he has been
regarded. by I'll who know him well, as the
most di.Hterc,ted advocate 81 L liberal and ell.
lichicncd system. We were surprised, then,
at the fierce attacks OF the sourcd opposition,
who rr,klcssly charged him with hostility to
Ill internal Improvements.
Lest We should in our zeal for his election
mi>reprcsent his true position we wrote to him
asking him 10 define his position on the ques-
ton. This letter was written on the same day
with Mr.. Montague's letter Of acceptance. We
received in reply the following honest, frank
and manly letter. II was not our intention TO
publish IT, hut Is Mr. Montague docs not define
his position in his letter Of acceptance, doubt
less thinking il unnecessary. we take the lib
crty /" give il To the people OF Virginia
The letter speaks for itself:
lNGLrwoop. MDpLEsEx CorSrY. Va,
December 3oth, 1853.
10 VIZ. LANE. E>I:
Nv dear Sir-l have Just received your let
ter OF the 10Th instant and reply at once. MY
rerly must necessarily be brief but it shall be
frank.
While in the Legislature | represented
very decided ant-intcrnal Improvement con.
stitucncv. and in obedience to hsr riu did
vote against all appropriations for works oi I'M:
proyemcnt. Cndor the same circumstances
would do the same thing again, or resign
Since that time Won know there has been
gradual change on the subject in t;dewater;
and my present position is this desire to see
the great lines Of improvement in the State
completed; end think As the State is largely
interested in these lines, it would be madness
in her rulers now 10 abandon them; and ear
ncstlv desire 10 see the extreme Western part
Of thc State connected with the waters Of the
Chesapeake. These are my honest opinions
and convictions. and were frequently expressed
ions before my namc was ever mentioned IN
connection with the Office for which have been
nominated. hope ] have been sufficiently
explicit; for il | know myself do not wish to
deceive any one. | am perfectly willing that
my opinions on all questions Of State policy shall
be fully known to all who may desire to know
them.
With sincere respect,
am, very truly, yours.
Ro. L. MoSrAGrk.