The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-01-06

10 indicate Tue con-
hmaion Of Louis NaPole ons coup Gtia by the popular
| yoe IA.
From the Richmond Enquirer January
The Adnainistraaioa Of Governor Floyd.
II 10 10 US source OF pleasure and agreeable duty
70 notice. IN terms OF sincere compliment, the admnstra
ton OF the accomplished and enlightened gentleman
whose term OF executive Office has just expired
rev governors in the narrow and contracted sphere Of
their duties have acquired in the short space OF three
years more enyiable reputation for sagacity, states
manke views and decision OF character. than the late
governor OF this Commonwealth. No has ever
rsen IN our State from comparative obscurty TO disnc
non more rapidly than Governor Floyd. Entering pol
cal lie Tor the FIRST time in ls47 member OF the legis.
aiufe Oh Virginia, there ranking at among the first
men o. Tue State he in ls4S translated TO the Office
OF chief magistrate Of this Commonweath--an office
which ne hed In manner gratifying 10 every friend of
State advancement and prosperity.
In Inc discharge OF lis high duties, Governor Floyd.
ms messages will prove seemed TO have aimed excu.
svey at the advancement OF the best interests of The
State and the development OF those ample resources with
which our glorious old Commonwealth has been richly
endowed by Nature.
nal Improvement OF the State remarkable for their
liberal and catholic character In the two able and pow
messages submitted to the legislature. his
recommendations were confined 10 those few magnificent
ana wise lines OF Improvement which, when completed
VIII attract 10 our State the products o the ieeming
west and South His policy of internal improvements
was a. WISE and statesmanlke He opposed the ap-
preparations OF moneys to small and local schemes cacu
lated only to aid neghborhoods and private interests The
money VI tue people ne regarded sacred be employed
only for such purposes and TO be invested in such way
to the State.
He urged the concentration of the resources of the
State upon great works OF public character and repro
Dated every system OF g-rollHg which aimed at the
the State.
With an intelligence too broad for him TO degenerate
into zone deai" he urged the proprety Of securing to
Virginia the trade of the South and West by continuous
lines OF canals and railroads, regarding both the water
and railroad lines OF internal improvements necessary
Tor the development OF the of the country and
their respective advantages modified by their geographical
position and objects.
To those prominent schemes of Improvement which
promise, when completed, to be the pride and nexhaus-
hble sources OF wealth to the State, Governor Floyd
gave ncacuabe aid by his energetic and wise assistance
Nor was he, whilst attentive to the interests OF the
State as connected with the various schemes of improve
ment. unmindul of the importance of preserving the
credit oil The State proving that upon her financial cond
on alone depended her honor prosperity and actual
cess.
Many OF his suggestions, with reference TO this import.
ant subject, have slnce through the legislature been
made OF practical advantage 10 State. Particularly
90 we refer to the complete success of the coupon bonds
rst recommended by Governor F. in his messages They
now constitute what is universally regarded as the best
stock IN the southern markets and the constant sale of
this species OF State stock at high premium, has done
the credit OF the State The value and importance OF
this measure OF finance scarcely be over estimated
when we recollect that il adopted time when
the enormous appropriations OF the leg sature had i'm
paired the credit of the State and produced panic the
money market which had produced serious depression
in the value and availability of the State stock The
active personal interest taken by Governor Floyd in the
sale OF the coupon bonds, in the larger money of
the United States, was OF vast advantage 10 the State.
Within the last two years the question of constitutional
reform has agated our State and umphng in its justice
and propriey, has consigned tmid arsocraic
tism as was styled 10 the tomb OF the Capuets The
people now, Tor the first time in the history of the State
exercise wholesome control in the election OF all the
high officers OF the Commonwealth. The theory and
practice of our government are nov alike and the highest
well the lowest. Who seek office aret
the powef Of the people is the sovereign power the
State Governors judges, magistrates, all the officers OF
The State, will be taught the sau,ary lesson that no
power IS greater than that of the independent voter.
NOW that The people have triumphed and possess those
privileges which they have long desired they should,
win gratitude, remember the services OF those who
the pioneers IN the great and successful struggle for con-
sttu,ona reform In 1919, before this subject had ex
cited the attention OF the peope-before its popularity or
unpopuarity had been asceftaned-Governor Floyd in
his first annual message, came forward, boldly and
hesltangy, as the eloquent advocate Of nearly all of the
reforms which have since taken place in our organic
law. With honest indignation he denounced constitu-
ton which deprived thousands of the honest OF our
OF the right OF suffrage and degraded by
absurd and cruel constitutional prohibitions, who
bad fought for their country and in whose breasts the
flame OF patriotism burned warmly as in that OF the
pIoudest millionaire Like the present governor of this
commonwealth, he was the constant and unllriDg friend
OF the people in seeking TO extend the right OF suffrage
Ne was quay loud in denouncing the system OF double
voting BY WHICH the wing party was for years enabled
10 suppress the voice vi democratic constituencies
Double voting has been abolished. Universal suffrage
has liberated from Egyptian bondage hundred thou.
sand voters. and the democratic party rmer in the at
iecons oil the people, continues the controlling party in
this State by unprecedented majority The tide OF re-
form has swept on giving vitality enlarged liberty and
universal satisfaction. Honor, ihen 10 those bold and
patriotic who first put the ball in notion and hosed
the banner OF constitutional reform. The late well
the present governor OF Virginia. for their distnguis
ed services in this cause deserve the admiration OF the
people OF this State
AT period in the history OF the Union was il placed
danger BY the agitation OF the question OF slavery
than during the last three years The crisis believe
had al one time arrived when the turn OF a die would
have decided the fate OF the glorious fabric which all
revere, and desire 10 preserve. whilst the laws and con-
and integrity But in 1919 and in 1850 fanatcism al one
extreme oil the Union, with incorporate rashness al the
other threatened for time the dissolution OF the Union
II time when the of Congress, far from
suppressing the general feeling oil exasperaon rather
furnished fuel to the flame. Extreme southern men, as
well anaca -soiles, seemed bent upon The pros
traon OF this mighty Union, by tearing asunder Yer
mont, with that violent abotionsm which has ever
characterized the wing party OF that State, pressed upon
lion OF the Union. At that time South Carolina, and
even Mississippi, stood ready TO throw off the all ,gance
TO the Union The Compromise measures contributed TO
the Union from the horrors of civil stre bat the
firm, determined stand taken by Virginia in that hour OF
peril contributed greatly produce that general feeling
OF respect for the measures OF the Compromise which
has resulted almost universal acquescence them
by the people OF the South The largest the hon.
oed the most influential OF the Saies such moment
the eyes OF her youthful aud less cautious sisters OF
the South turned upon her, seeking counsel and adj
vice In her wisdom honor, and devotion TO The true in
erests Of the South, well to the Union all placed
confidence She, IL known, would submit no insult: