Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-07-19
THE FUTURE OF VIRGINIA.

~.
The people of Virginia are under no small
obligation to the Washington Republic for its re-
cent exposition of the financial condition of the
State, and the unquestonable soundness of its
public securities. The papers of other States
give evidence that the article of the Republics
has attracted attention in commercial quarters,
to the coupon stock, now issuing, and there is
every prospect that it will occupy favourable
position in all the stock markets OF the country
and not less in those of Europe.
The Republic, of Thursday last, refers to the
late action of the Virginia Convention on the
subject Of constitutional guarantees for the safety
of the public debt and considers them as con-
irmng the confident opinions previously expressed
by that paper, "that the credit of Virginia was at
present beyond question, and that the convention
would incorporate provisions in the new consti-
tuition which would establish it hereafter upon an
impregnabe and permanent basis" Having
stated the character of these provisions, and men,
| toned the general expectation that the new con-
stitution will be adopted, the Republic makes the
following excellent remarks (: ~.
The State of Virginia has been governed for half
century by politicians whose sole business to have
been to regulate the action OF the Federal Government
lhey have devoted to this aud pable sub
lect the time, effort and abilities which would have
made their own Stale blossom like the rose Their
statesmen have been ambitious rather of Federal than
OF State tame Their topics OF discussion have been
borrowed from Federal politics. They have had no
system OF State policy upon which to organize
In other States popular elections have made State
eiectons turn upon questions of State policy. Can.
didaes for office have been obliged to study he stalls
SchOpIe Tbovs
stand the subjects OF domestic taxation and expendi.
ufe. The decision of great State issues in NJ York
pennsylvania, and Ohio, involv the question which
party Is most ut TO be entrusted with the
1.-THE State Itself, and the ascendancy in the State ge
Morally settle its Federal position
In Virginia, however, The issues have teen antigua
ted sometimes obsolete. Under their new constitution
they will be practical and progressive. When parties
shall be organized and the general tickets for the election
OF state ofcers published, predict success to that
party which shall pledge tselfto speedy and efficient
development fhe com mercial, manufacturing mining
and agricultural interest of the State
H.. we would give our support 10 the railroad candi-
f Gae salst nun VINO expounds esolutons-to The
Trend OF canal against the foe of all improvements
10 the advocate OF popular education against those who
like governor OF old oppose public schools and news
pa PER-. .u,,:.. - ~ '''''
tneclion AND, after popular power shall have been
Drought to bear upon the Chinese DO cy which has so
long retarded the progress OF this great Commonwealth
lew applicants Tor popular favor will be bold enough to
oppose lines OF internal communication which will
throw population and wealth into the interior and
oIg commerce to her unrvalled ports; or system of
education which will bring knowledge to the hearts of
her humblest citizens. We anticipate from the adop-
tion OF modern constitution, new era of progress and
prosperity for the Old Dominion"
True, true, every word true. The CRYING evil
Of our good old State has been Federal politics
debates about Federal relations in the Legisla-
ture, and speeches on the hustngs from candi-
dates for Federal offices. We talk more about
State rights than any other people in the Union,
and think less of State interests We have
plenty oil Statesmen, but amentable lack of
State-men. Not fourth of t he men who have
done our legislation for fifty years, have taken
the pains to inform themselves accurately on the
grand subject of internal improvements. They
can argue constitutional point until they attain
the very ultima thule of political logic, but what
1t is wlsest for the State to do in order to deve-
ope and improve her resources, what policy is
most consistent with her financial ability, what
mode OF improvement is established to be prefera-
ble,are questions which few of our law-givers have
ever carefully studied But we are happy to concur
with the Republic in the belief that "here is a
better time coming in all these respects. The
current of events will bring it to pass, despite oil
the errors that may be permitted to bemish oul
new constitution.