Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1845-12-11

powerful in all Of her parts. Such and 30
evident TO my mind was the law Of our po-
liticai unity--such the necessary result Of
all neighbofhood dependencies upon and
relations with each other. that no part Of q
State could be kept PROSTATE without in
ficting proportionate weakness on the
whole, and that the justice and relief which
suffering sections required, could in no
case be extended without common ben
eft, nor denied without common dissd-
vantage.
Notwithstanding. however. the force Of
these very obvious considerations, the ex-
tension OF this policy 10 distant and neces-
sitous portions Of the State, has frequently
been resisted, upon the ground, that ~
these portions paid into the common tIea-
sury not more than one dollar in every
three which their improvement required.
il would be unequal and unjust to tax the
residue upon other portions, for their ben
eft. II this objection is sonnd one, then
the true rule for distressing the public reve-
nue., when unequally contributed by diff
ferent sections, would be to expend il be-
tween the contributors in the ratio Of their
contribution, and that without, any regard
10 their respective wants. 10 this case,
could the largest contributor have no want
TO which the public money need to be ap-
piled, then as il would be folly to waste i,
upon it, and unjust, according to the OBJ
lection. to apply il to the wants ofthe other,
II would follow, as final Consequence, that
the sectional suffering which exist must
continue, and that Virginia must set her
self quietly and powerlessly down and see
her people dwindle away, and many Of
her great interests wither around her. be
cause there is no principle of political ex-
pediency or justice upon which she is au-
thorized to exert her own undivided en-
ergies for her own preservation Such is
the monstrous result Of admitting in any
way the idea Of distinct interests under the
same Government. instead Of looking to
that Government, as founded upon COM
mon sense Of dependence and wants, and,
therefore, as a compact amongst all OF the
parties for mutual benefit and assistance.
II was not, however, to the theoretical
objections which have been raised upon
the unequal payments spoken Of, that |
would direct your attention, but TO the prac-
ticable and demonstrate truth. that there
are no means by which that inequality
can be removed and the consequent bur.
den of taxation be diffused so certainly.
speedily and efectually, as by the con-
struction Of ajudicious system Of CONNER
cial highways throughout Western Vir-
ginia. And, so far from the fact that Eas-
tern Virginia. being the largest property
holder, would have 10 pay the most to-
wards The execution OF this purpose, con-
stituting. on its part, any sound argument
sgainstit, it 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 are-let the mineral, manufacturing
and agricultural treasures Of the Western
part Of the State continue to be locked up
and kept out Of use as they have been,
and Eastern Virginia, instead Of dividing
her existing burdens with powerful part
ner, will have to bear them as they are for
an indefinite period to come. Situated a,
it il. a refusal to apply its means to the
Improvements suggested, and thus to cre-
ate new sources Of wealth and Of public
revenue, is simply, and to all practical
ends, refusal to be relieved; refusal to
part from burden which is retained at the
double expense Of disseminating itself and
opposing others.
There are other points Of much interest
in this subject, such as its ultimate connex-
ion with common educaton-with the in-
PRODUCTION and establishment of manufac-
lures; and with an effective system Of mil
itary defence, which need not be present.
ed at large, but which the Legislature can
never overlook, when consulting upon the
best modes Of securing the greatest good
TO the State. In some portions Of the
thinly settled districts Of the State, educa-
ton Of any kind is not possible; in other
portions, il 10 possible only to limited ex-
tent; willis. throughout the whole of them
no successful effort for it 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 Sc
cured. In this respect. and for this end,
roads are amongst the very surest and
best Of all the practical reformers of our
social condition. They are, also amongst
the best and surest means by which to
encourage the establishment and growth Of
local manufactures AN interest which
has, in the extraordinary union within
our own borders of all the elements neces-
sary 10 il, a basis for formation and devel-
orment unequalled. perhaps, in any other
State of the Union. Indeed, it is hardly
possible to look at our minerals and water
power, and cheap labor and staple agricul-
iure, struggling to maintain itself upon
profits almost constantly diminishing.
without seeing how certain is the impor-
lance to which this interest must grow, and
how largely il is calculated, at some day,
TO add to our internal prosperity.
The conuexion, also, between this sub
iect aud the military defence Of the State,
always apparent and always felt, has be-
come stronger and more admonitory by far
since The successful Introduction OF steam
veseels unon the sea An event which Is