Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1846-12-17

RED through the Legislature aIntu tne cohiu-
son Of is closing scenes, and thus escaped
That vigilance which il would otherwise have
ircceiyed. That act gives up $4,000 for an
arGuiiy Of $500. without any assurance OF
he payment Of that small sum, and canno be
accounted for, otherwise than as | have stated.
II plainly demonstrates the importance ofsdop.
ting some preeaution against the recurrence OF
SIMILAR legislation. Notwithstanding the Sc
rious reduction IN the amount Of this valuable
fund, ! am happy to inform you that It's income
is improving.
But our Internal improvement Fund IS
wholly inadequate for the prosecution OF that
system of Improvements called for BY our con
~sttuents in every part Of our beloved Com.
monwealth, which is indispensable 10 the fuil
de development ofour wonderful advantages. and
the Of which can no longer be
deferred without a disregard ofthose high du-
ties. upon the manly and enlightened per'Ot-
nance Of which mainly depends the position
which Virginia is TO maintain among her SIS
ter States. All the elements Of greatness are
ours: a fertile soil, genial climate, exhauS,less
mineral wealth, broad and noble rivers, nigh
II water power, territory large enough for an
European Empire, a noble people, and TO all
which may be added, a most fortunate geo
ISlAlfiAlNttt pDp4NiIu. DifSFHt ab hiAof VI Nfh
tages unknown to any other spot OF similar d.
mensions on the habiiable globe. Shall we
longer DELAY 10 use these noble elements OF
greatness? Shall it be said that we have mol
intelligence to appreciate, or spirit TO use, these
inestimable gifts of Heayenl That. deaf TO
the hum Of industry. and nsensible to the Wig
orous enterprise which distinguishes Other
States we are content to live on in Incidence
and ease upon memories that are gone2
In laying my views before you, gentle
men, upon this most important subject, |
am very sensible hat | may be liable to
severe animadversion-that | may disap-
point some and offend others. But love
MY State too sincerely, am loo deeply
anxious for her thorough development, TO
hesitate in the performance Of my duty.
| am prepared 10 incur the responsibility
Of those vigorous measures which | shall
cheerfully recommend, and whi,h | sim
cerely hope, you will sanction and aP-
prove.
The age is utilitaiian. Whether or moi
he wonderful discoveries Of physical
science are the cause or the effect OF this
condition of the world, it is needless 10
enquire. But the march of improvement
is onward j: the most imposing distractions
are readily overcome: tune and space are
almost annihilated, and the most remote
parts cf the earth are made 10 feel Deepen
dent upon each other, and to recognize,
TO some extent, a common interest. VIr-
GINA will not consent 10 give up her right
fuI part in tn mighty destiny. Embrac-
ing within her limits two routes of great
importance to the Union, and ofincalcula-
bic value to the country through which
they pass, the people require an early
construction upo them Of some improved
highway. Virginia has always denied to
thc Federal Government the constitutional
right Of carrying on a system Of improve
mcnt. Even If the right existed, Virgin
ia would, | am persuaded, resist its exer-
else, because within the scope Of State
ability and necessarily involving a large
increase Of power in the Federal Govern
r,ent. But, let il not be forgotten, that il
is easy to be brough, TO believe that to be
right which corresponds habitually with
our wishes and our interests, and that II
the State refuse 10 carry out those impro-
vements, il may come TO be though. that
the power TO complete them resides in and
must be exercised by the Federal Govern
ment. | call upon those then, who en-
,ariain this view Of Federal power, &c
yield to the spirit Of the age and boldly
call out now, without another years delay
the inert powers Of the State for her own
renovation and improvement.
III Bringing this interesting subject 10
your consideration, | shall be excused, !
trust, for pressing upon you, as one Of
your patriotic duties, that of dlscarding all
local and sectional feelings and interests.
1t is Virginia, one and indivisible, who
has called US TO consult as to her condi-
ton, TO develop her wealth, to protect her
interests and to advance her greatness
Let Us select certain great Improvements
and determine TO complete them. Let us
concentrate all our ample means upon
them. And with the patriotism which En-
mobiles the heart tina, possesses it, let us
with cheeyfulness and alacri,y postpone
our own cherished objects, until our grand
design is contaminated.
The great Improvements, which con-
template. it is also my desire 10 see CARR
ed on, upon State account. The princi-
pie of Improvement which has long pre-
vailed in our State is unsound. Expert
cnce has proved il. Under the delusive
idea that The public were 10 be protected
against itnprovident investment, by an as
ISOLATION with private interest, we have
sunk at leas, four millions ofdollaIs. MOI
is this all; such associations frequently
embarlass if they do not control the policy
Of the State. II is an ~entangling alliance,
not in fact beneficial to the State or indi-
vijual Stakeholder, but injurious TO both.
Let no such associations hereafter be form
ed. Let the State build such improve
mentS as may be regarded as State works,
and leave the tributaries 10 spring out OF
local or sectional necessity, and be the
works Of individual enterprise aud means.
The two great works | have to recon-
mend TO you are railroads: the one 10
commence at Buchanan, the other at Cor
louisville. The one first named will pro-
coed through the great Southwestern val
ley, developing the finest mountain coun-
try in Virginia, and perhaps in the world,
until i, breaches the Tennessee line. From,
4 ,I;s roi,t ,to sat;s6ad TennesSea will