Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1845-11-06
G ve.res > @toe..age
NEW MARKET INITIATIVE LEGISLATURE
FOR THE .
ACQUISITION of Useful
KN0WLE EDGE.
FELLOW-CI1TZENS,

While am filled with deep sense of gra
titude for the honorable privilege which you
have conferred upon me, of transmitting to you
few hasty and inadequate views of the great
and momentous subjects which are 7bout to
engage your enquiries, am equally conscious
how deeply should be filled with the spirit of
true humility. 1t is therefore becoming that
should invoke, first of all, the blessing of hea
ven on our laudable experiment, well assured
that, under the illumination of its smile and Of
its benefcence, we shall contemplate, with fuller
and more comprehensive delight, not only the
innumerable sources Of happiness which we
now enjoy, but the vast prospects for improve
ment in our moral and social condition, which
we may be allowed to anticipate. A"''
Cordially adhering to the institutions of our
beloved State; animated and ruled by the prin-
ciples and practice Of her Legislature, COM
munity Of sages equally venerable for the wis
dom of their counsels, as for their patriotic de-
votion to the liberty of man,-you will realise
advantages which cannot fail to be infinite
When you behold, On distant shores, and in
various climates, the reformation of social COM
pacts, the erection of new systems OF govern
ment, all conforming, in their most prominent
features, to the benevolent spirit which breathes
throughout our excellent institution, proud in
deed should YOU be of this opportunity of regu-
Iating yourselves also by so illustrious model.
And although the formal observances which
you have proposed to yourselves, will be pure
~ initiative and imaginary, yet the opportun-
W Which -yoA-.rin thns-have of witnessing
practical illustrations of the order and beauty
of legislative proceedings, will be highly bene-
fetal to all. If the Drama, which is an insti-
tuition intended also to impart lessons of moral
wisdom, by initiative representations of real
characters and events, has in all ages exerted
so powerful an influence on the general intelli-
gence of mankind, YOU may very reasonably
anticipate, under favorable auspices, results no
less gratifying from your own practical observ-
ance of real and parliamentary forms.
Asthe diversified, and sometimes conflicting
interests of the counties you represent, will
give rise to numerous questions which it will
be your duty and pleasure to investigate, |
shall endeaver in this communication to olassi-
fly the various topics which may be likely to
require your examination. The great object of
all Legislation should be, to procure the great
est possible amount of prosperity and happiness
for given population from given resources
The prosperity of people will mainly depend
on the nature of their productive industry; and
most Of the contentious usually arising among
them, may generally be traced to this source.
1t is the duty Of Legislature, therefore, to
provide impartial facilities for the free exercise
of every branch Of public industry; and, if pos
sible, to remove every natural obstacle and ev-
cry moral impediment, which may be calcula-
ted to cramp the energies of growing and en-
terpising people. To cherish useful arts and
sciences, to foster the spirit Of industry and en-
terprise, in Agriculture, Commerce, and Man
ufactures, and to promote the general diffusion
of knowledge, are amng the noblest and most
imperious duties of a Statesman. The chief
points, therefore, which will claim your inves-
LEGATION, may be classed under the departments
of Agriculture, Commerce, that is, every spe-
cies of mercantile enterprise, -Internal Inn
provement, and the diffusion Of knowledge.
I. In reviewing the present condition Of your
native State, YOU have many reasons to feel
gratifed and thankful. A great portion Of the
soil has already been subjected to the plough;
and with very few exceptions, the earth has
been annually returning the most ample re-
wards to the industrious husbandman. Vast
and salutary Improvements have been made in
the art of cultivating the land. Men of great
enterprise and intelligence have thought the
pursuits of farmer not unworthy their atten-
Il
restored, swamps and marshes have been drain
ed, the sterility of mountainous tracts correct
ed large additions have annually been made
to the surface already under cultivation; agri-
cultural societies have been formed land journals
published recommending discoveries in chemi
cal science, and the experience Of distant com
munities and Of former ages, to the attention Of
the farmer. 1t only remains for you to say,
whether This primary and indispensable art;
whether these strenuous and unremitting exer-
tons on the part Of the people; this evident
prediction for rural employments, shall meet
with proper encouragement from the fostering
regard of the Legislature. 1t remains for you
to determine, whether the formation of agri-
cultural societies, and the publication of agri-
cultural journals, shonld not meet with the
most liberal encouragement; and whether the
imposition of taxes for The support OF govern
ment. on that ne-.iou Of the community epga-
ped i -,oafing, draining, or in any manner
Improving their lands, should not be as light
as possible. Connected with these views, you
will also find it interesting to consider, wheth-
er the vast mountainous districts in the State,
may not afford other sources Of employment