Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1852-10-06


pressed upon the present position and inter-
ests Of Virginia, we hope have net passed en-
tirely UNDECIDED. The issues in the Presi-
Dental election press with much weight upon
this question Whether we regard the sla-
very question, the agricultural interests OF
the commercial relations Of Virginia, that sys-
tenn Of government aimed at by the respec-
tive parties is Of paramount Importance 10 es-
timating the consequences Of the pending cleo
ton
The Democrats, in the main, have possess
ed the power in Virginia for many years
The progress Of the State, in the system Of
internal development. has not been, in any
manner, equal to that Of her sister States
The elements of prosperity, undevelorcd. have
always been at her command, and yet, when
compared with the other States, her back
wardness is most striking.
Any one who viii reflect upon the statisti-
cal facts. which we published Yesterday. in
relation to the public lands, and estimate the
Advantages which have been bestowed on the
States therein named, Will not be surprised at
the present relative position of Virginia
When we reflect that Ohio has received z,
272, 1913 acres Indiana, 3, 267, AGO acres
Illinois, 6,036. T67 acres Missouri, 3,244,
206 acres oara. 2,713,595, and Tirginia
literally nothing it is not very wonderful that
we should be SO far behind those States -
Indeed, when we come TO estimate the means
afforded the former and denied Virginia the
system of neglect to toe interests Of Virginia,
as compared with these States, is most stri,
king. Now we ask the plain thinking. prac-
.ical man. who looks at Government as a
means of promoting the ends ofsociety accor-
ding to the Constitution and organic law
where is the propriety. equity, or sense Of
this system! The public domain is common
property 1t rests on common trust. The
States, old and new, are the common bench
Charles This domain, by the laws of God.
and the necessities of men, as well as the
sound policy Of q well-regulated government.
should be occupied and reduced to cultiva :
ton as speedily as the growing interests Of
the country demand. II should not be hoard
ed up. or improvidcutly squandered That
system, then. which most judiciously and
eq4itably administers this trust to the common
benefit Of all the benefciaries, is the best !;
but no system could be arorse than that which
results in an unequal, partial. and unjust ad-
ministration Of this trust.
An examination Of the question will satisfy
any one, that as matters are now conducted
in Congress. unless Virginia alters her policy,
this fund will ere long have been, 10 the main,
expended and her rights and interests utter
ly neglected Her situation is such, that she
needs and should receive her just quota; and
that system of party tactics which depriyes
her of her rights, is iniquitous and intolera-
ble And yet such is precisely the policy adj
vocated by the Democrats. The Enquirer
can witness the appropriation Of unmeasured
quantities of this public land to the new
States, with the certainty ofthe continuation
of this system, and yet deny to Tirginia The
right to one acre Of the pery soil lotich she,
in her generosity, gape up as common
fund.- to be fairly and equitably administered
for the good of ALL We confess our inability
to fatbom the reasoning of such false phi
losophy as this 1t is beyond our comprehen-
sion and. in our estimation, inconsistent
with the rules of law. justice, and common
sense.
We have called public attention to this
subject as one of paramount Importance, and
hope that it will not escape the consideration
of our readers. 1t merits the most serious
and continued consideration. What acould
not Firginia's quota accomplish for her and
her people at this time? Is she not as much
entitled to have her canals and railroads built
in this way as Michigan or Illinois p Rich.
Wing.