Virginia advocate. [volume] (Charlottesville, Va.) 1827-1860, 1830-12-17
VA. @ASSEM BLY.

ternal improvement, presses with an irresist-
able force upon their attention, The people
arc moving in different quarters Of the State,
and thoy must be heart. A new spirit is
expected from new Constitution. We
have much to do; aud il is the time 10 be a
doing. Virginia begins 10 be outstriped by
her sister States in the career of improve.
ment. The Census Of 1880 will read mel
ancholy warning In our ears. Shall New
York, and Pennsylvania, and Ohio, and Ma
ryland, throw us into lido back ground-and
reap the advantages which are proporly our
own! Shall their population so far surpass
our own Shall these States eclipse us,
without our making those efforts which are
worthy of our character and our situation
No State can boast of finer water COURSES
NO state presents nearer approach or a
more eligible situation by canals and rail-
roads, between the Atlantic board aud the
Western waters, than our own. We occupy,
as 1t were, the,very centre of tho Union.--
Our staples are numerous, rich, and ahun-
dant. Our tobaccos are OF the first quality
our Indian Corn is sent To every part of the
Union, and to the West Indies, Our wheat
Tipens earlier than in the other States; and
from the advantage ofbringing the first aud
hnest flour, to market, we are enabled 4,
reap rich harvest from our own, as well
as to the South American consumer-What
is wanting, in Virginia, are the best roads
and canals for bringing the productions Of
various quarters O. the State to market.
Is there mot, also, another considera-
tIon'#hich is entitled to the most seri.
Gus attention? We claim to be
friends of the Rights of the States
We sickle tor a limited construction
of the Federal Constitution We are
devoted tn those great principles, which
guided the School Of the Virginia Pol
iticians ofninety-eight and ninety nine
We resist, therefore all the encroach-
ments Of the General Government,
while we vene.ate the ark Of our Union.
We despise the seductions of its power.
We refuse to taste Of the flesh-pots
of Egypt. Much as the situation OF
our Commonwealth demands roads and
canals, we have never solicited the mu-
nehcence Of the General Government
to shed its treasures among us. But is
1t not, therefore more the duty of the
State Governments to put aside such
atenptation, to superseie the necessi-
ty of such an appeal, and to contribute
their own funds to the benefit Of their
own c:tizens2
The real difficulty in the case is, to
know, IN the first place, what works
ought first to be undertaken (having
regard to the wants OF the people, and
the means in the Treasury in the
second place, how the communication
IS best to be made, whether by Rail-
Roads, by Canals, or river with lock
and dam navigation land in the third
place, by the publ C funds alone, as our
worthy Chief Magistrate seems To sup
pose, or as we are inclined to think, in
most cases, by uniting the public and
-pripate funds togethes; thus giving the
vigilence of,private interest, as the best
help and guarantee for the sale
and direct expenditure Of the public
fuuds--We shall, however, touch these
questions hereafter--particula the
great problem of Canals aud Rail-
Roads. We have sought information
from the best source, and hope to lay its
results before our readers.
Meantime, we anxionsly press upon
our readers to be up and adding Enq
General Assemby.-Other business
OF much interest was iaittated yester-
day--to wit: the special reference OF
the whole subject Of Internal Improve
ment to the COMMITTEE Of Roads and
Navigation, and proposition from
Mr.. Newton, TO enquire into the poll
icy of paying Jurors.
We believe we may now congratu-
late the State on the certainty of the
subject Of Internal Improvement re-
Chewing the speedy, profound and min
ute consideration, to which its vast and
incomparably superior importance, to
the commercial prosperity and political
power Of the Commonwealth, entities
it.-There is an obvious determination
in the Legislature to act vigorously, but
not rashIy, splendidly, but at the same
time, prudeDtly, economically, and inn
partially. We can anticipate no cause
to mar prospect, which ought to be
aDimating TO all but that local jealousy
which discovers fayoritism in the
choice Of time, or hostility in withhold
ing precedence, and which has its
origin in a petty selfshness, insensible
to the pubic good, and solicitous only
Of immediate self qualification. This
is the spirit which has impeded the
fight of Virginia, which is to an extent,
yet manifest, and which she now de-
mands to be sacrificed upon the altar
Of the universal good.
Thursday, Dec. 9.
Mr.. Morris said, that there was now
much business before the committee Of
Privileges and election, and that he
had been instructed to move that the
committee have leave to sit during the
sittings Of the House: which was a
greed to.
Mr. Rives Of Campbell submitted the
following resolution which we're a