Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-07-31


ed bu a Democyaf-the second great sectional Z on
vention tending also TO dissolution Of the Union,
was that at Nashville, in 1850. controlled by De"o-
Gratis. The first Abolition newspaper established
ut Washington the National Era, Democratic.
The first anti-fugtive-sayo-aw enactment, We be-
evc was that of Massachusetts. in 1913, when car
ried by Gov. Morton and the Democratic party
g.
..The CRYING evil of our good old State has been
Federal politics; debates about Federal relations in
the Legislature, md speeches on the hastings from
candidates for Federal Offices. We talk moro n
bout State rights than any other people in tho I'm
ion. and think less of State interests. We have p!on-
~ of Statesmen, bur "A lamcntcd lack Of Statesmen.
Not a fourth of the who have dono our legis
lion for fifty years, have taken the pains to inform
Themselves accurately the grand subject OF inter
nal improvements. They can arguca constitution
al point until they attain the very ultima tarfe OF
political logic" but what it is wsest for the State to
do in order to dcyelope and improve her resources,
what policy is most consistent with her financial
ability, what mode Of Improvement is established to
be preferable are questions which few of our law
givcrs have carefully tudicd."-Rich. Times.
Most lamcntably true of Virginia and Of
the whole South, except perhaps Georgia.
Hercules sleeping on his club, when the
monsters were Ranging the land-Achilles
dallying in his tent, while the battle ragged
around, are but feeble images of the Old
Dominion, slumbcring.whicig ignorance and
poverty are proving over her form, or
toying with the mementos of her ancient
glory, amid the strife Of contcnding nations
Other countries have put forth their ener-
gies--o,hcr nations have girded themselves
&, a.
over the days that arc past, or gasconad-
ing about State rights and Southern resis-
lance. Commerce, enterprise, industry
and improvements have enriched and
strengthened the sterile States of the North,
while Virginia. possessing as fair and rich
n heritage rs ever fell to mortal hands, has
felt her vigor passing away, and debility
aud decrcpitudc creeping uponhcr, and yet
has lacked the energy to shake on the dead
~ stupor
The Union we are told has los, its eouil-
ibrium-the Free States have acquired an
undue and dangerous prcponderance, and
We are invoked to band ourselves in a
league of non-intercourse, as if that would
give us strength, or chain the unfcttcrsble
energies ofthe Northern people. We are
called upon to transfer our vassalage to
England, as if she, with Exeter Hall steam
ing with the vapors Of abolilonism--wiih
her Societies, and presses, and emmissaries
propagating the poisonous Upas in our
midst-wcre less hostile to us and our in.
situations, thanthe Free States of the North
Are we never TO conquer the degrading
feeling that We need masterl Are we to
shake off our bondage to the North, on
ly TO become the serfs of Manchester and
Leeds ? Is it never TO come to pass, that
we are to be an independent sclf-relying
and self-supporting peoplel
We rejoice to believe that evidences are
not wanting ofnew life and State rcgenera-
ton. The old fogies, who have so long
been the firing men and ministers Of the an
cient Commonwealth, are passing away.
and their places are being filed by young
cr, freezer and holder men-mcn who are
not succeed with musty old prejudice.,
and who are able to view subject, with
out its being beaten out into an abstrac-
hon. If we are not deceived in the signs
OF the time, the deepand swelling stream of
progress is coming on to freshen our shores,
to cut channels through our mountains. TO
enrich our wales and revivify our waste
places-a current of thought, Of cnlghten-
ment, of action: may its course be coward
and onward STILL
The next Congressional apportionmcnt
will reduce the numbered delegates in Con
gress from our State, from fifteen to thir
teen, and in like proportion, will the rep
resentauon of several other Southern State,
be diminished. This is a mortifying fact
but if we are wise, we will not lose time
in vainly deploring it. What will give vi
back our strength What will restore us
our influence and position in the Federal
Courcilsi VIII the resolutions of '9s and
'o9i VIII Southern Rights Societiesl-
Never. Think oft by day and by night
and we cannot reason ourselves back into
our lost position. Hold as many conven
tons as We may, and we can neither speak
nor resolve ourselves back to it. Change
the Constitution-tinker the laws-rcvo-
iutionize the social, political and moral
systems, ofthe State and our labor viii be