Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1852-08-04
Virginia AbstractiOnists.

The Virginia Representatives in Congress have
recently found their scruples in reference to the
Constitutional power of the Federal Government to
construct works of internal improvement, rather
embarrassing. Their State Convention last Spring
declared against the whole business, and their Ma
tional Convention at Baltimore passed resolu
ton denying the power of Congress to Commence
and carry on a general system;" but the present
Democratic Congress seems determined to prose-
cute such works nevertheless, and the Virginia
platform and the scruples of our Representatives
have only tended to deprive the State of all partl-
cipation in the appropriations. Oneday last week
when the River and Harbor Bill was before the
House of Representatives, Mr., MEADE, of the Pc
ersburg District, felt moved to say that, while he
was opposed to the Bill upon principle, great in
Justice had been done to Virginia by allowing her
no share in its benefits A Democrat from New
York very properly replied that Virginia had ask
ed for nothing. This is pretty affair truly
One of our Representatives, too conscientious to
attend to the interests of his constituents himself,
complains that other people have not volunteered
to do it for him. Mr.. MEADE thinks it mortal
sin for Congress to make such appropriations, and
will not lend finger to the work, but he feels very
much agreved that part of the spoils in notthrown
into his lap. Hell 2 good deal like the boy whose
conscientious scruples prevented his uniting with
his comrades in foray upon neighbours orchard,
but who afterwards put up his mouth to cry be-
cause they would not divide the booty with him.
But Mr.. MEADE essayed an argument to re-
eve himself from the charge ofinconsstency made
against him by Mr.. STUART, of Michigan. He
said .'the gentleman might as well contend that
because Virginia voted against the distribution of
the surplus land fund, therefore none of it should
be granted to her" Well, this is precisely what
the Virginia Legislature have in effect said IT,
and again. Other States quietly tooh their p0r'
ton of the fund and applied it to various usel&'
purposes, and our Legislature received the first III
stalments, but it has to this day pertinaciousy re-
fused to take the balance And indeed on the
score of consistency" we really think our State
Legislators have the advantage of Mr.. MEADE-that
is they would have it, if they had only refunded
to the Federal Government the money already ad
United into our treasury.
Mr. CAsKIE, of the Richmond District, how
ever, is better abstructionist than Mr.. MEADE
He did exert hmselfto get an appropriation for
Virginia, notwithstanding the constitutional obsta
cles.
ale could raise scruples dark and nice,
And after solve 'em in trlce."
Mr.. CAsKIE succeeded in having an amendment
inserted in the River and Harbor Bill, appropria-
ting $45, 900 for the improvement of the James
and Appomattox Rivers, but when the Bill came
up on its passage, he and all his Democratic col
leagues roted against Il. The bill was passed,
however, by vote of 90 to 70, and Virginia gets
the money, Gf the bill finally becomes law
through Mr.. CAsKIE's ingenuity, without hurting
a single tender conscience, or yielding an iota of
principle O.
This case affords an illustration of the value of
Democratic platforms, and also exhibits the ludl-
crous shifts to which our strict consructionsts are
sometimes driven. Instead Of regarding the Con
stitution as well fitting garment, allowing the
wearer free use of his limbs for wholesome and
necessary exercise, these gentlemen affect to con-
slider it strait-jacket into which the country Is
thrust like mad man, and which restraints from
rood as well as evil but somehow or other when
ever favorite end is to be accomplished, an expe
dent is never wanted for doing 1t.