Wheeling times and advertiser. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1839-1849, 1845-12-05

1 duN poNtAiuA dit VI utT parts. OuCn anu SO
evident 10 my mind was the law of our polit-
cal unity-such tho necessary result Of all
nciyhborhood dependencies upon aud relations
with each other, that no part of State could
be kept PROSTATE without inflictin2 proper
tionate weakness on the whole, and that the
justice and relief which suffering sections re-
CURED, could in no case be extended without
a common benefit, not denied without com
mon disadvantage.
Notwithstanding, however, the force OF
these very obvious considerations the extern
sion OF this policy to distant and nccessitous
portions OF the State, has frequently been re-
sisted, upon the ground, that as these portions
| paid into the common treasury not more than
one dollar in every three which their improve
mcnt required, it would be unequal aud UNI
just to tax the residue upon other portions for
their benefit. li,this objection is sound one,
then the true rule for disbursing the public
revenue, when equally contributed by diff r
ent sections, would be TO expend it between
the contributors in the ratio of their contribu-
ton, and that without any regard TO their re-
spccive wants. In this case, could the lar
gest contributor have no want to which the
public money need be applied; then as il
would be folly to waste it uponit, and unjust,
according 10 the objection. to apply it to the
wants OF the other, it would follow, as final
consequence, that the sectional sulferinss
which exist must continue, and that Virginia
must set herself quietly and powerlessly down
and see her people dwindle away, and many
oi her great interests wither around her. be-
cause there is no principle of political expe-
diency or justice upoo which she is authorized
10 exert her own undivided energies for her
own preservation! Such is the monstrous re-
suit OF admitting IN any way the idea OF dis
tinct interests under the same Government,
instead nf lpnkinu that
founded upon a common sense of dependence
and wants, and, therefore, as a compact a
mongst all OF its parties Tor mutual benefit
and assistance.
1t was not, however. to the theoretical OBJ
lJections which have been raised upon the UNI
equal payments spoken of, that would direct
your attention, but the practical and demon
strable truth, that there are 10 means by which
that inequality can be removed, and the con-
sequent burden of taxation be dillused so GER
tainly, speedily and eilcctually, as by the con-
struction of q judicious system Of commerce al
highways throughout Western Virginia. And
SO far from the fact that Eastern Virginia, be-
ing the largest property holder, would have TO
pay the most towards the execution Of this
purpose. constituting on its part, any sound
argument against II, ii constitutes on the other
hand, and that upon the strictest calculations
OF economy and ultimate advantage, an argu-
ment IN Its behalf. Let things remain as they
arc-let the mineral, manufacturing and agri-
cultural treasures of the Western part Of the
State continue 10 be locked up and kept out
OF use as they have been, and Eastern Virgin
la instead of dividing her existing burdens
with powerful partner, will have TO bear
them as they are for an indefinite period 10
come. Situated as II is, refusal 10 apply its
means to the Improvements suggested, and
Tins TO create new sources of wealth and of
public revenue, is simply, and TO all practical
ends, refusal TO be releved refusal to part
from burden which is retained at the double
expense Of disseminating itself and Expressing
Others.
There arc other points of much interest i'm
this subject, such as lis ultimate connection
with common education-with the introduce
ton and establishment of manufactures, and
with an effective system OF military defence
which need not 10 be presented at large, but
which the Legislature can never overlook,
when consulting the greatest good TO the State
In some portions of the thinlysettled districts
OF the State, education of any kind is not posi-
bic only TO limited extent; whilst throughout
the whole OF them no successful effort for il
can ever be made, until neighborhoods shall
be brought closer together, by having the
means OF intercourse with each other, and the
power OF numbers and combination thereby
secured. In this respect, and for this end.
roads are amongst the very surest and best of
all the practical reformers of our social condi-
ton. They are, also amongst the best and
surest means by which 10 encourage the estab
lishment and growth of local manufac tures:--
all interest which has, in the extraordinary I'M
ion within our own boarders Of all the ele-
ments necessary to it, basis for formation and
development unequalled, perhaps, in any 9TH
er State Of the Union. Indeed it is hardly
possible TO look at our minerals and water
power and cheap labor and staple agriculture
struggling to maintain itself upon profits al
most constantly dimini hing, without seeing
how certain is the importance to which this
interest must grow, and how largely it is cal.
cuated, at some day, 10 add to our internal
prosperity.
The connection, also, between this subject
and the military defence of the State, always
apparent and always felt, has become stronger
and more admonitory by far since the success
iul introduction of steam vessels upon The sea;
an event which is destined to affect the war
iare more radically than the commerce of ma
tons, and one which il is important for us
and all Others to consider and provide for who
have maritime border to be defended. Hap
ply Tor Virginia, in this matter of defence,
she Is invulnerable except from the sea. Per-
icctly secure ON the side OF the Allegheny a
gainst all the world and scarcely less so on
The right and left through the power of con-
tiguous States, the Chesapeake and its estuary
waters are the only inlets BY which foreign
enemy can ever approach her. Here, then,
on these, and on the margin of these, are TO
be found her battle-lields. Unassailable by
any but naval power, should that power be
Great Britain, with her North American pos
session u places from which she could descend
upon US with all the certainty, as to time Of
exact calculation she would no doubt relyup-
on her war steamers as he. engines of assault,
and with these could effect so rapid concen-
tration OF her force upon our ocean border as
TO compel us to be always provided with an
army in garrison adequate to any emergency,
unless we had an inland power Of concentra.
ton for our own forces which was equal to
hers. Such power, would well arranged
and connected system Of internal improve