Wheeling compiler. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [i.e. W. Va.]) 1829-1831, 1830-12-22

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Amonrst the important duties nose o. /
...oro,nizing ihe Judiciary, aud iuiToou- /
cling into the Judicial :, stem $ocn noon l
cations as u,sy tcul 90 thc 'aetp "Nu ','9'o
sneedv administration Of Justice, VIII ue-
n1and your most anxious attention.
The various ANA somewhat conflicting
ooinioas which are believed TO prevail o.
this interesting subject, wllI be recou'''o'
nv vour wisdom. ana lullaud perfect s}s-
tenn be put. It is hoped, INTO HARMONIOUS
and successful operauoa. The cou""l ''
poses in safety upon your prudelcs ana
discernmeut
Notwithstanding Che arduogs service
which YOU VIII have 90 perform, 90 reioe'-
;rq more perfect oar civil po.dy, ! cannon
fail 10 recommend 90 your aceu'io" .''
subject of our internal condition. 'n ieie'-
ence TO the means of internal commun'ca-
ton between distant parts of the Common
wealth. By de bouuulul dIspensa''on oil
Providence. that beautiful and extensive
re0ion living below the falls OF our rivcrs'
has afforded To- It an those facilities winch
omen every market TO lhe industry and ell
terprise of It's inhabitants. This fortunate
condition IS denied to the inhabitants above
tide water, and presses With unsPeakable
weight upon our citizens residing beyond
the mountains.
While this state OF things is suffered 20
continue, the RESOURCES Of the State admit
Of bat partial deycIopement-Londs OF
inexhausGble fertility remain unreclaimed,
and the country is deprived of much of us
eficiency-What is the lDduCemeui to- re-
claim the forest or cultivate the earth, ID
the means of obtaining remuneration for
ones labor Is den.cdl That argument
which, IN opposition TO o isdIcIous system
of improvement, Is made To- rest upon the
inequality Of contribution, either real or
supposed, 10 be made by the different por-
tions of the State, appears to me, TO fan
in its object. lt opposes the only means
which can ever bring about that equality
of contribution to the public chest, which
II seeks so earnestly TO establish. Let mar
kels be opened for the agricultural products
Of any country, and instantly the subjects
Of taxation will become common 10 It, and
all other countries similarly circumstan-
ced. But when, IN connection with this,
the improvement Of the State is regarded
as 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.
la this government there is no want of
constitutional power over this subIect-A-
gainst a similar exercise of power on the
part Of the Federal Government, Virginia
has uniformly protested-and wjseIy-The
exercise Of such power by that government
has been regarded, not only as unconsti
tuional, but as dele,erious 10 the highest
degree-and an attentive observation Of
ITS effects, has been attended with tho
rough conviction of ITS disastrous tendency.
1t is a cause Of sincere cOngratuIatIOn,
that the President should have done much
IN the exercise of his constitutional veto
towards crresting this unfortunate system.
We may certainly hope, that lmpelled by
a devoted regard TO the interests of The
United States, manifested by hlm upon re-
peated occasions, he Will persevere 10 this
course, until every vestige Of this usurpa-
ton will be CELEBRATED from the legislation
Of Congress. The states are competent
10 the.imDrovement of their own domestic
condition, and the obligation which rests
upon them to do so, Is high and Im2erious.
From the numerous works which have
been brought to public view, those M
which the state has become interested 10
part, or undertaken TO construct at her
own expense, ius,Ifes the public eypecta.
ton that they will be resumed ana prose
cuted to their final completion.
Although many works have been pro-
iected, highly beneficial 10 large nejghbor-
hoods, and even the counties iu which they
may be situated; yet, there are few Of
magnitude or importance sufficient to cnd-
tie them to the highest character of state
Improvements.
In considering ibis subject, The mind
cannot fail TO contemplate the great com
merclal advantages which would be derl-
we'd from the completion of those works al-
ready begun M the James River. Here
tofore this seems to have been considered
the first object, and of Importance enough
10 Justify the General Assembly 90 making
it tie exclusive proPery'of the Common
wealth.
IT, then, private enterprise IS prevented
from carrying on this work, the obligation
TO finish It, becomes much more strong ON
the part Of the government and was ITS
navigation rendered equal to that of siml
lar works of other states which are intend
ed to serve as channels for the introduce
ton of produce from the rich regions Of
the West, there cannot be q doubt, but that
the exports from this river would be great