Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1844-12-12

T. T.
shall determine
Upon another, and associated branch of the
public interest-the pecu niary credit Of the stale
1t affords mo equal satisfaction to report. in the
same terms, that every thing alsc is safe; tina, the
strenuous exertions which were made TO maintain
win inviolabe fidelity, cost what it might,
have etlec,uallY protected it against every pre-
,ence Of suspicion, and that the bonds ON the com
monwealth,as consequence, now stand, where in.
'nsically they deserved always to stand at prem-
um in the markets This happy result, is, in both ca
ses' The direct and legitimate effect Of bold and wise
counsels, promptly, heartily and faithfully sus-
tanned by those who, at last, had to carry them
through. And rich in its practical benefits az
!his result may well be considered to be, it is yet
UNNECESSARILY more so as having revealed in all
the circumstances which brought il about and re-
veaied through the most infallible Of tests, how
Keen and deep are the sensbties Of our people
10 the obligations Of national faith, and how over
mastering and interrupted amongst them is the
vital sentiments of public and private honesty.-
Harrassed in their individual laboIs by every spe
cies OF reverse which revulsion in business hav-
ing scarce parallel in our history, could inflic;
'hey nevertheless came forward, instantly and
without murmur, at the call OF the state, and
promptly and generously, and in The midst of dis.
tress, took from their own wants whatever was ne
cessary Tor The supply of hers. The unsullied
preservation Of our public credit by this patriotic
conduct OF the people, is an achievement worthy
OF every thing 1t has cost, and worthy of il all,
and yet more is the graceful and noble testimony
oy which that conduct proves that our public mo-
rainy is always true TO our public engagements
mat whatever Is contracted upon the probity and
honor of the state the law TO enforce it, is con-
Tacted upon law which enIbarrassments and re-
Proach have no power to weaken, and which will
not be, and cannot be broken.
But the early and successful extrication of these
branches OF public interest from the dangers
"hich threatened them will not afford you high
er' nor perhaps so high and exultng a gratifca-
'ion as the evidence just furnished to the capacity
OF our political system TO stand firm under the Sc.
Vefest trials which attach to its nature. on have
seen It encounter, and now see it emerge trium-
Phanily and without hurt, from one of these tri-
ais, which it may be confidently said that no gov
eminent upon earth but itself could have stood
without convulsion and bloodshed Atno former
period has any national struggle brought the mas
SEES oil our people into more thorough conflict than
inc one through which we have passed--never
were they more radically distinguished from each
other by oppositons OF sympathy and opinion, or
urged forward TO the object Of their wishes under
aeeper or more dls,empered inflammation of par
" feeling; yet the great result is no sooner an.
nounced by the will which settles it, than the
cohmo'ion Is over-the excited millions retire in
acquiescence and peace TO their common occupa-
lions, and our whole system goes on lust as at
hrst' without jar, hiudrauce disorder in its un-
anu OtUeUcent movement. This
suit, so decisive of the most perfect submission
10 the great principles of our admirable govern
ihent, is new proof that whatever are the tempe
rary and the party issues in which national con-
.ests may end, American government, American
institutions and American liberty are safe.
Rejoicing with you that the recent contest has
brought into still clearer light than before. the
| sound and selfsupporting capacities of our sys-
tenn, and has justified more than ever the antic-
Patons which are founded upon il, l invoke You
10 employ the repose which has followed, in build
ing up with diligence and vigor The enduring and
practical interests of that part Of the system which
rests upon yon. There is no work which could
be better commended to your hands-no one
which is more needfui to be done, and there is no
time for doing it, which is perhaps more propi-
nous than the present one Of political relaxation
Under this view of the advantages of tho moment
deem 1t my duty to recommend nothing which
Is not directly connected with the IMMIGRATION of
our domestic policy, and TO that end, shall invite
your attention, chiefly, to those leading interests
whose sound condition is indispensable TO every
Well administered and well-doing commonwealth
vi these interests, "the internal Improvement
interest OF the commonwealth is one-a principal,
and TO some considerable extent, suffering one
fia'ing adverted to this subject in my former
message, though in particular connection only, |
would not recur TO it now, but for the conviction.
long and habltually entertained that the internal
improvements OF the state, by suitable highways
LOT market, is state necessity, which, however de-
Tered, is absolute and inevitable at last Let the
geographical situation Of large and fertile districts
beyond the Allegheny, and the many circumstan.
ces affecting their population, be considered, and
This necessity become apparent. Improvements
are not go there, thousands of their people are at
once subjected to the alternative, for themselves
and their children, of hardship, poverty and iqno-
rance, or immediate emigration. Such conse-
quence as this might indeed, be borne npon a
hnnf
not be rlsked upon the territory and population of
nose immense districts, without riskinp. at the
same time and TO fatal extent, the prosperity and
power OF the state Itself. The portions of the
state which are most denute, at present, of COM
mercIal highways, and most dependent upop
them, comprehend, together with small parts of
the valley, the whole Allegheny country.
which does not border upon and enioy The trade
OF the ONO, and form united whole which is
greater In territory Than that of half of the state
greater in fertility of soil than any equal area Of
our own state; rich in minerals, water-power and
health-ln every physical element of wealth which
human industry can use, and wanting nothing tn
render it prosperous and happy, except facilities
OF intercourse and trade. But in this vital and
comprehensive want, itself the parent of so mapy
others, IL wants almost every thing else.
Throughout the whole extent of this country.
from Harper's Ferry to the state of Tennessee. a
distance of more than four hundred miles upon
'"e AIeShdny'H Is penetrated by few earthen
turDpikes only, at wide intervals from one anotb
er; and Of these few, one is administrations inst
finished, and tho oldest Of them all has been
scarcely twenty years in use. Perceptbly and
advantageously, however, as these turnpkes have
aided to purposes Of settlement and social inter
course they have been so inadequately supported,
if supported at all, by means of lateral and TRIM
tary connexions with the vast tracts of conn
try intervening between them, that except at their
eastern and western ends, they have never been
used, or used but little, for tile transportation of
agricultural products. The agriculture of that