Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-12-07
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1889.
GOVERNOR OF vIRGINIA's MESSAGE.
Executive DErARIMENR
December 4, 1882.

and Of ihs House Of Delegates:
You are AGAIN assembled TO deliberate upon
Pho affairs of this Commonwealth; and, as many
oues,ions of importance have arisen among the
n.onle. YOU will be tailed on to give to them your
earnps, attention and profound regard.
The wishes, desires and most important inte'
rests Of YOUR constituents, are intimately known,
and have been confided to you, aud the strongest
hone anlma,es them all, that the attention and
perseverance necessary to their accomplishment,
will not be wanting on your part
In country like ours, spread over . vast ex-
ten, Of territory, combining variety OF soil,
climate and productions, and consequent varl-
ety of interest, il ceases to be matter OF SUR
orise. if OF casi0naly the smooth course OF iegs-
ia,ion should be interrupted by apparent inequa-
I,ie, m its progress Difficulties present them
selves in many forms. and in none more injurious
to the welfare of the country, than supposed
collision of interest in the various and distant
narts of the commonwealth; nor is it unfrequent-
~ found to be true, If viewed in the spirit OF
Cancellation, mutual concession and ferbearance,
that this Imaginary conflict of interest. presents.
III fact. no insurmountabe barrier to the attain
ment Of results equally beneficial to all.
To remove thu prejudices OF some, and aliav
the discomfort Of others, and to harmonic the
conflicting interests of all, as far as practicable,
Is duty the statesman owes to his country; an
eforr which none can neglect to make, without
eucuuntering fearful responsibility. not only TO
the present generation, but 10 posterlty.
These obstacles removed. and union restored
to our councils, the field opens before you on
which Won may enter with full assurance OF sue
cess. Possessed Of ample means within your
reach, and all necessary power over these sub
jects, the accomplishment OF them Will render
our country strong. powerful and prosperous,
and will bind our citizens by the strongest ties
to the integrity Of the State.
Among the most important Of these objects.
NAV be deemed that of uniting the most distant
REGIONS of the State, by means Of railroads and
canals, thereby affording to all, an early, safe
and rapid conveyance Of the products Of their
industry to the best markets.
The people have INDUCED the hope, that the
natlopa! works which have already been project
ed. would meet with your fostering care, and by
umely appropriation Of the funds within your
roach. would advance to successful completion
W ere they already in operation to receive the IN
creased aud decreasing products OF the agricul-
tura!i,t. the re, enue arising from them IN a te"
wears. would be more than sufficient to meet
All ordinary demands for the support Of our 90
verumept. On the other hand, in any great
emergency, as in time Of war, or any other pub
lie danger, when the country would be called
u,,, f,r increased disbursements. and increased
velocity of movement. the very great advantages
arising frum such state OF things, must be ma
nifest 10 ali. Should we then at any future day
be involved in war, system of taxation exacung
from the people. SUN no greater IN amount
than is now required, would perhaps be equal to
our wants, and would hardly be felt.
The line Of Improvement deemed of most i'm
a. ,no sf,to end tho onlv nne which.
without vast disbursements, will ever be found
cauabIe of connecting the Atlantic with the great
West. is that ~hich is contemplated by the James
ant, Lower Kanawha rivers. The commonwealth
has heretofore retained the property in those ri.
vprs hit at theie last session an act was passed.
authorizing certain sum of money to be sub
scr,ped by individuals, by which they would be.
com, ioint Stockholders with the state 10 this
great work. according to the respective interests
Invested. This scheme, so far as we are at pre-
scot advised, has failed.
Should individuals not have subscribed the
amount required, no alternative would then be
LETT IA, but to resume and prosecute the work
70 il. final completion, in a style that will make
il as profitable TO the State as Its singularly adj
yantaaeous position leaves no room to doubt.
A we'll organized Militia is Of such vital i'm
portance to the defence Of free People-so in
d,spen,able to the preservation and protection OF
,reir liberty. that must again present the sub.
ject to your early and serious attention. In
vain may we hope for safety and long security,
unless we have the means Of making ourselves
fei, and respected. The restessness and ambi
ten of men are such. that they will glut their
morbid appe,ites upon liberty itself, unless re-
sisted, and nothing but force has ever vet check
ed the plans of military aspirants. That we
t,l ha tod <slfh In.
ties of European warfare. none will pretend, but
an organization which will infuse i'm every man
confidence in his neighbor, and in each corps
reliance upon the other. aud which will enable
them 10 move with CELEBRITY, and execute an
order with dispatch, is what all believe. attaina
bic.