Virginia free press & farmers' repository. [volume] (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1827-1832, 1831-03-24
POLITICAL.
MIR. CAI.DwELLs REMARKS

| - "'N A"~NS "" "e mNloa 10 postpone in'ieii-
nit'ly the Loan Bill
MIR. Caldwell said He rose To en-
ter his protest against the motion for
INDEFINITE postponrment; and on this
occasion, he was compelled to depart
from aprinciple by which he had here.
tofare been governed. lie had not
been In the habit Of troubling the
House with his opinions. or Of assign
ing reasons for any vote which he had
given; but upon this subject. so very
important, as he believed. tn the inte.
rests OF the State. and one too. upon
which he had the misfortune to differ
with his worthy colleagues, he hoped
the House would indulge him few
moments IN assigning some IF the rea-
sons which governed him in supporting
Loan for Internal lmpro, ements,
and consequently in opposing the mo.
ton OF the gentleman from Mecklen-
burg. lie should be brief-not having
the ability. nor the inclination,t to tres
pass long upon the patience Of the
House.
stand here unadvise,I, said Mr..
L. by my constituents upon this sub
J.ct. and am therefore left to follow
the dictates Ut my own conscience
to pursue the dim lights Of nv own
ijujgment-and they lead the to sun.
port the principles contained in the bill.
jalthoush its details do not accord with
nay views. ann aware, Mr.. Speaker,
of the deep responsibility incurred by
tins course; bu, am ready and willing
tn meet the consequences. be they
what they may. honestly believing that
the State will be benefited by a Judi
cious scheme of Impro, ement. A cri-
SIS has arrived, sir, that demands prompt
and energetic action. Slun,beriny IN
the lap OF Incidence, during half cen.
tury, has benumbed the energies of
Virginia. crippled her spirit Of enter
prise, and placed her, in the career
of improvement. an immeasurable dis
lance behind her sister states. Sir. IL
is acknowledged by NIL that we arc
behind-grca,ly behind our neighbors.
Facts, stubborn facts. which stare us
IN the face every day, proclaim It a
loud. Ii is mott cannot be denied
that Virginia suflcrs-and suffers too,
by her own suicidal policy. | did hope
that all would concur IN the opinion.
that something should be done wi,hou,
delay, to improve the State-and raise
her TO that proud eminence. for which
she was designed by God aud Nature.
and which she ought now TO occupy
among the independent states Of this
great republic. Nature has lavished
upon Us her richest bouniies-a soil ca.
pable OF producing. in superabundance
all the varieties of the vegetable king
dom-a climate, temperature. pure
and salubrious-streams. like veins IN
the human body. penetrating into the
very heart OF the State. and inviting
her sons to industry and eDterprize |:
mines, minerals. and precious metals
enrich her mountains, her valleys, atd
her plains Every blessing, which
God ever bestowed upon fallen man,
seems TO be awarded To Virginia by
the bIuni'fui hand of Nature. Bur.
sur, OF what use are all those natural
advantages, when neither individual
nor governmental enterprise will i'm
prove them FOR the benefit of man.
We have been told upon this floor.
that our once fertile fields have now
become barren wastes-that our villa :
ges are depopulatiug. and that decaycd
and decaying tenements mark the pro.
lgress Of devastation and ruin Sir.
our tables Of population disclose the
melancholy fact. that some Of the
most healthy and fertile counties 10
the State, are decreasing in numbers
ln a ratio truly alarming -.aimos {
equal to that which ought TO mark their
increase. IL ~ our let Us AIone''
policy, that is driving our citizens ~
The far distant West. Shall we be
t"ld that they are worthless portion Of
the community THAT we can d0 With
out them" poor devils. let then g0.''
. Not so, SIR, not so. Every principle
lOt political economy, teaches us that
. populati0n--an active, hardy. enter
pfIzing. and industrious population. -
the true wealth Of any country. Pro.
d0ctive labUurers. SIR, enterpr,zing
|. mcchanic---thep sasdnfryi IL YOU please.
. are the bone, sIDew aud muscle 81
every republican community. On ;hcir
happiness, prosperity.and contcntmcns
depends the happiness, prosperity aBd
safety OF the Sta'e--yes sir, the ssfei
. ot any community depends upon ~,
, property aud c0nteniment of the bu
, sincss and laborIng portion 81 ITS cilI
zcns. Most sssufc,lly. then, u is iru,
. pplicy to retain a. large portion %
! tbs class 81 citizens within our limit,
: as possible. How Is ihis 20 be effect
Ell. ansver--by a liberal course .
irgislation--by stretching forth th,
= fostering arm 81 governmeEi-by a