Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1830-12-10
MESSAGE OF THE GOVERNOR OF vIR-
GINA.
Executive DEPARTMENT,
December 9th, 1880.

offer WOW nv sincere salutations upon this
v,ur first. assemblage under the new Constitu-
i;on. To YOU belongs the task of giving the first
;m,nIse 10 the Government, and YOU will not
saii properly to appreciate the honor and magni
h,,le Of YOUR stations, or the difficult and respon
sible duties which have devolved upon you.
In the call of Convention. its progress, and
ihe ratification of the amended Constitution by
the people, Virginia has exhibited to the world,
another grand specta Gle, OF a nations changing
its fundamental law, without dIsoOrd or difficulty,
directed alone BY reason, and making manifest
In the universe the great truth, that is capa-
bic of self government
We lived il is true. for more than half a centu
nv uoder the former Constitution, and enjOyed
GREAT Tranquility, and considerable share of
prosperity. That many should have preferred
n To any that could be substituted, is not mat
ter of surprisc, when we consider how init
mately it wa, blended with all the past in our
history.
When that instrument was formed, the pOpu-
,ation of Virginia Lardly extended beyond The
Great Valley-snce that period, large counties
have been created in the " est, with a rich. au-
lnerous and increasing Notwithstanding a
steep, difficult and mountainous c0untry--tac re-
moved from the Seat of Government, and desti-
tute Of commercial faclities-It should afford
Us little matter Of surprise that the people of that
region. should desire change in the anticipation
of much benefit. In the change which has been
made. it is perhaps, only what might have. been
expected. that both sides should think they per-
ceiye some cause Of Enthusiastically one, in
having lost mere than vas hoped. the other. in
havinr gained less than desired.
The contest is passed: let the triumph of vcto-
~ and the bitterness of defeat. be forgotten in en-
united effort to benefit our common country and
I'D 4 Ie th s 70 HIS Stdsst 10 ess BY
III, memory OF thepast, than the promise of the
future.
Amongst other important duties, those of re-
organizing the Judiciary, and If introducing into
the Judicial system such notifications as may
tend to the cheap and more speedy administra-
ton of Justice will demand your most anxious at.
tentiun.
The various and somewhat conflicting opinions
which are believed to prevail on this interesting
subject will be reconciled by Your wisdom, and
full aud re, feet system be put it is hoped into
harmonious and successful operation. The coun-
try reposes in safety upon your prudence and dis
Cerument
Notwithstanding the arduous service, which
YOU will have to perform in rendering more per-
feet our form of civil policy, cannot fail to
recommend to your atteution the subject of our
ntercommunicalion between distant parts of the
Commonwealth. By the bouniful dspensation
of Providence, that beautiful and extensive region
lying below the falls Of rivers. has afforded to
it. all those facilities which open every market to
the industry aud enterprise of its Inhabitants
This fortunate condition is denied to the inhabi
isnts above tide water. and presses with unspeak-
able weight upon our citizens residing beyond the
mountains
While this state of things is suffered to contin
NC, the resources Of the State admit Of but par
tIal de, eopement-lantls of inexhaustible fertili
". retain unrec lamed and the country is de-
prived of much OF its etiiciencv-what is the in
dncement TO reclaim the forest or cultivate the
earth. If the means ofobtainine remuneration for
ones labor is ,lenieds That argument. which in
opposition to judicious system of improve
ment is made to rest upon the inequality 0fcon-
tribution either real or supposed. 10 be made by
-he different portions Of the State. appears to me,
to TAIL utterly IN its object. 1t opposes the only
means which can ever bring about that equality of
contribution 10 the pubic ches, which Ii S, eks
earnestly 10 establish Let markets be opened
for the agricultural products of any country. and
instantly the subjects of taxation will become
common to il. and all other countries similarly
circumstanced. But when in connection with
this, the Improvement of the State is regarded
Us the sure means of producing unity of feeling
and harmonious action between all parts of the
community. its Importance cannot be questioned,
or its benefits be matter of speculation.
In this government there is no want of consti
tuiional power over this subect-aganst II SINH
Lar exercise Of power, on the part of the Federal
Government. Virginia has uniformly protested
and wisely. The exercise of such pow er by that
government, has been regarded, not only as un-
constitutional, but as deleterous in the highest
dcgree-and an attentive observation of its ef
facts. has been attended with thorough convic-
ton Of its disastr' Us tendency 1t is a cause of
sincere congratulation. that the President should
have done much in the exercise of his constitu-
tional veto towards arresting this unfortunate
system. We NAV cert nay Pc. that impeIied
BY devoted regard to the Interests Of the Unit