Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1852-05-07
STATE IMPROVEMENTS

We very cordially endorse the Enquirer's
views on this subject, as expressed in its issue of
Thursday. If the seeming union of opinions
from portions of the State hitherto antagonistcal
on this vital subject, be sincere and firmly pur
posed; the counsels of Virginia may be safely
depended on for that small dergee of sagacity and
common sense which will insure vigorous pros
ecution to completion of her great lines of i'm
Pfovement' we think we may stake heart of
grace, and look the future in the face with cou-
rage. Let us firmly face our difficulties, and we
shall look them out of countenance. The debt of
Virginia is not what it is stated at, in that fpan
clal paper which proves only that Mr.. Goode was
not born to be a Chancellor of the Exchequer.-
MIR. Rives and Mr.. Robinson have approached its
true amount much more accurately. But were
that portion OF it incurred for improvements ten
times as large as it is, it were but more con-
vInclng proof that the wisest economy consists
IN further Judicious and we'll directed ex-
penditure. That scheme of State policy which,
for fear of the tax-gatherer would make a ca4,ut
n,ortuum of all that the State has done, would
iund her present liabilities into interest bearing
debt forever, without hope Of farther improve
ment, deserves no better name than moon eyed
folly. If the member from Halifax will act ont
his "brave words,'' if he with others we might
name, will come up to the good work in earnest
and not hang, as formerly, on the skirts of the
Commonwealth impeding her every step in the
march to wealth and greatness we can vet afford
to forgive the past But should they falter now in
their fresh honesty of purpose, and for the sake
al q ma
the State itself in the present crisis of its for
tunes, OF what may they not be accused The
combined and obstinate opposition of the seaboard
delegations, for years past, to all improvement,
however essential to the common welfare, rein
forced in other quarters by the patry fear of tina,
bugbear OF minute statesmen, the gatherer have
forced into existence the log-roing combinations
OF sections and localities that have brought dis
grace, paralysis and defeat upon the cause. Nor
has party spared its baeful efforts in the same
fatal direction. Not few of those small pests
whom its excuses have endowed with a spurious
Importance, lay their account with enisting ig-
norance and prejudice in the enquiry, which of
the political divisions is responsible for tho inter
nal improvement debt of the State For our
selves, who are Wings because we are patriots,
and love our country, we claim our share of all
the odium which may attach to the creation of
that burden, which, for the blessing it may con-
fer, we hold to be both light and honorable. The
Wing party is and ever has been an Internal I'M
provement party-both in the State Ind within
wise and constitutional limits on the more extend
ed theatre of national interests; and we would
indict him for political larceny who would steal
that feather from its cap. But there is one CHARGE
which we have right to make, and will press in
season and out of season against the party op-
posed to US, who claim prescriptive right to
rule the fortunes of the State, in connexion with
this subject of Tares. Why are we debarred of
our just participation in the Public Lands .
Here is no Demagogueism which we abhor.-
Here is plain, honest question, addressed to the
majority, in truthful sincerity. Here is a sure |
and easy refuge from the troubles of taxation
Nay, more, here we might obtain the lights of pop
ular knowledge, the blessings of popular educa-
non.s But the Democracy say no! They are the
Dark Angel, with the flaming sword, who warns
off the people from the gates of light of happi-
ness, of ease! And why! Could these men
claim the poor excuse of consistency in wrong,
we might exercise more patience with such an
abuse of reason. But they are cut off from even
that humiliating apology for error. They once
adopted as they afterwards abandoned, the policy
Of Land Distribution, at-the bidding of mas