Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-02-28

This, sir, is what should cali true Sale pocy-to
increase population-to increase entcrprse-to in
crease the comforts and convemiences OF the people
to increase wealth and consequently to inc your
revenue These are some of the reasons by which
a,n Influenced ON this question, and which induce
me To hone this motion wl not prevail that its true
friends may be enabled to present 1t in its most &c
ceptable form. ,
others Il rs political Sir, it has been stated
here and elsewhere that the habits the pursuits and
the interests of Eastern and Western Virginia are dis
similar; that they have commercial intercourse
no community of interests-no common political feel
nss-and that they utter strangers. We have
too, upon this aoor. what ought not to be seen
section urrayed against section-he East against the
West. Is this state of things desirablel Is il not
ouse of aiarml TO my humble apprehension, it au-
gurs more fearful foreboiings than all the black
clouds, which gentlemen have fanced they rising
in the south in the north. Sir, the black cloud of
most fearful import, which threatens the greatest
danger. aud which should try to dissipate, hangs
over US, around US and among Is it not worth
effort then, to endeavour to assimiate the inter-
csts OF Eastern and Western brettren--to open
the channels of communication to afford them the
means Of free and easy Intercourse and bind them
together by those common objects Of State improves
ment, which will best reconcile all dscordant fe ell
ngs and local jeaiousies' Sir, it is all imporan.
consideration, and the mere per ceptum the money
expended, ought not to weigh feather in the bal
lance against the great political benefits to be der
we'd by proper application of the funds What il
two millions OF dollars compared with the union, hap
pness and prosperity OF the State' Nothing
dust in comparison.
The county from Which hail. puts in no claim-ask.
no direct appropr believe she will be satisfied
with any course that will benefit the whole, that will
!, produce the most general good. Were I, however,
of The money is expected to be fingered by my con.
s,tuents. should consider myself unworthy a
this House. do not stand here. sir, to egislate for
!, a county-nor section of the State but for the CON-
mcnw ealth-the whole commonwe al,h! impressed as
with the belief, that the fallen fortunes of Vir-
gina, only be reclaimed by liberal scheme of i'm
Provements, shoold be doing injustice to mysef-in
justice my constituents, and injustice to the State,
RI to refuse my feeble aid, in endearouring to
attain object so deirable.
Look at Ohio, the child OF yesterday Ohio that
WAS not existence, when Virginia stood pre-. cmi
nent among the members of this confederacy where
is she now' Sir, this banting has outsriPped us in
white population, and is marching greatness 10
(, wealth and power, while we are stationa ny no
that is contrary TO the laws of human Every
thing in existence must advance rctrograde-anl
we not advancing. Why this OF inactivitvi
Is not because too much disposed let thing,
alone? Sir, if agriculture manufactures are sought
to be encouraged or improved, you told .set
them alone'-they can take of themselves II
roads, intolerabIy bad roads are to be mended and
equitable and just laws proposed for that
you told to "let them alone-they are as good for
they were for fathers, they got along very
we'll without innovation and can we. If turnpk es
Canals rail Roads. are proposed be made you are
told to "let :hem alone, they will money and in.
volye the State i'll debt-our forefathers did without
them, and This is what depopuiates our
vsges lays waste fields, drives industry from our
workshops, and checks progressive Improvement. Sir
you ust change this enervatng policy. Nothing but
radical change can redeem regencrate, and olsen.
thrall Virginia, from the para, zng effects of lei
aon, " Nothing is we'll calculated to bring about
this change vigil dises,ed, liberal system of int err
, nal Improvement
1t is conceded 81 all sides, that this canno, be don,
S without money, and that money be obtaiue,
Without resortng to loan. Sir the only question
n will you borrow money and endeavour to bring int
active operation, the whole energies f the State,
by refusing. drive away her en,eprising population
- and leave the old Dominion to suffer the fatal conse
:, quences! cannot doubt the of this scheme
1t the friends of the measure permitted perfec
= it. The present is the most suspicious time. Til
machinery Of new government is going into opera
. tion-and general system of improvement is III
L main spring to set the whole in motion The none
market is low-that necessary artcl can be obtained
now on better terms than heretofore-and, shout
the troubled waters of revolution continue agita
Europe, lower than you will be able obtain it here
after. trust this motion will not preval-that tn
friends of the bill may give form and comelincss
and bring it fairy before the House. Now is the &C
copied time.