Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1844-02-29
( NO. 81.

OCEAN S~maHP' ana CurD with his feebie
arm its mighty. beundings, However
much we might desire that new men and
new issues should be presented to the
country. i: would be uncandid TO close
our eyes to the fact, that the people have
nlled it otherwise. Ut is not because
they would not gladly promote those em-
Trent men, so worthy of their confidence
but because the peculiar circumstances
IN which they are placed impelI them to
different course. lie is no true obser-
yer, who pretends that the universe! and
almost unanimous movements of the peo-
pie are tie results of wire-wOrkinq noF-
tcians. There is deep significance IN
them. far beyond the comprehension Of
the shallow politician. and a sterD'reali-
ty he dare not triiie with. MisIed. be-
wlldere'i, deceived, by the false issues,
false charges, and false promises. of the
last presidential campaign. they have
grown indignant, broohng over the in
suits offered to their intelligence and
virtue, and The distrust thrown over their
free institutions. They have inpatient
y risen up, and with one accord spoken
cat boldly and spontaneously in their
primary assemblies. Scorning the ordi-
nary methods OF ascertaining their coliec-
ted will. with one voice, they have de-
clared, that they will wipe out the Dis
grace put upon themselves. and remove
the doubts cast on their free Institutions,
through him in whose person they were
degraded. :+ 49,.
Some of rs have earnestly pressed the
claims Of other disting uished men, and
like freemen we have differed on other
subjects. Those differences of opinion
may be made known to the public--but
they shall not cause US to divide the
Democratic party. We 70 together, and
cheerEully acqulesce in what seems to
be the general voice. We care not for
the elevation of particular en-but
seek only the triumph of our principles.
For these we Surrender every personal
preference. When all that Republicans
hold dear is staked GA the issue-not
great measures alone, not constitutional
principles alone--hut liberty itself-we
cannot suffer personal partialitips to ieo-
pard the result. E, Where all are DESTROYS
to promote So good a cause. we will
4
( harmonise, and sink all minor differences
into zeal for the common good. To our
enemies, we will give no cause of hope
from our dessensions. We will prove
to them, t'iat in a multitude of council
there is Wisdom-6ut in unity Of action
is success. With SO many worthy lead
ers to choose among, we may we'll be di-
yldedt in our choice; but when chosen.
ARE 'one and indiyisibIe .,
We cannot suffer this occasion to
pass, fellow citizens. without calling
your attention briefly to the past and
present condition OF the finances of the
State. Daring the last few wears Of
Wing rule. the debts Of the State. and
the pledge eff her credit for the repay
ment of loans made by the Incorporated
companies, had been largely increased.
without any permanent provision made
for the pay ment of the interest and the
gradua! extinguishment of the principal.
The temporary and ruinous expedient Of
borrowing from the Banks to pay the in
terest on money borrowed, was the bane-
ful result of Wing legislation-not that
they would drive us to Reputation, but
to that condition. which in Wing philos-
ophy is the periecaion of legislative wis.,
dom-a large State debt, feeding mo-
MED aristocracy at the expense of the
producing classes.
When an individual has cone 81 far
to borrow money borrowed. we generally
pronounce his case desperate. Yet such
was the condition of this Commonwealth
not eighteen months ago. When the
Legislature of 1912 assembled in Rich
mond. they found the Treasury exhaus.
te1--with defiert of half million of
dollars. They found the bonds of the
State. by a.ruInous system of legislation.
so siiscredited. as To be sold atpubIic
auction. in sight of the Capital. at fire
and tioenfy per cent discount-and with.
in two weeks of their meeting. were
compelled 10 borrow $550,o0o TO ,sus.
tain the sinking credit of the State
Like true patrtnts. they determine, mill.
ly to apply he only remedy for .ns a;sae-
trous state OF Thugs. Thler were NOT q.
frald of the people bit. rclvino IN their
patriotism. levied 4 lax sufficient To nav
the interest Of TIE debts of the STATE.
3 "1e current annual expense
OF me Government, In levying this tax
'ney '2id down the broad and Just prin-
cir'e. that each one should contribute inS
proportion TO his abiIity-:hat no classes
or interests should be exempt from the
comman burthen. To this reasonable
doctrine. the Wings strenously objected,
and insisted, that the taxes should Sc ex-
cluslvely increased on the old subjects
land. negroes, and horses--thns bur.
thening the planting and farming inter-
ests-but screening the. money power
from taxation. The result of these SAL
utary measures has been. that the reve-
Lues Of the past year have exceeded the
most sanguine expectations Of the Legis-
lature-the money borrowed from the
Banks will speedily be repaid--the reye-