Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1853-05-06

4
accordance with the spirit OF that instrument,
that the President should exert controlling
influence over the Legislative department of the
government. He is the Chief Executive #.
fcer of the government, and his principal du.
is to see that the laws are enforced. The
Emperor Of the French may require that the
miscalled legislative department of his gov.
eminent shalregs,er bis DEGREES, but Tho lib
berries OF this Republic will be gone indeed
when the American Congress shall assemble
merely to carry on, the policy of the Execu'
tive, whether he be elected by the few or many
for life or term of Yeas. I have heard 1t
gravely argued that Wings ought not to be
returned 10 Congress. because to do so would
show factous opposition to the new Presi'
dent. This might be true, # ours was in real
ity the government oil the President. But the
people AVE yc, some influence in tho govern
ment and their views and their interest ought
to be represented. | shall not pretend to de-
ny That the will OF the majority, expressed ac-
cordng to the forms Of the Constitution, ought
to govern but the minority have rights Also
and unless they are represented so Us to urge
them by fair argument, there will be no secu
rity for their protection. II was in order to Sc
cure fair representation of the rights and in
terests of minoriies. that the District system
ofrepresenation was established. and was 80
long preserved in this Commonwealth, and has
now been adopted throughout the Union.
In the late presidential election supported
that eminent patriot and soldier, who was tho
whig candidate. And | regretted, at the
time, and still regret, his defeat; but if elected
to sent in Congress, will make no captious
opposition to President Pierce's administra
ton. but on the contrary, so long as he con
fines himself 10 the legitimate discharge OF
the duties of his office. will give him such
support as my duties as n member of The leg
islative branch Of The Government would re-
gure ofme. In his efforts to carry into effect
the pledge made in his inaugural address in re.
gard to the Fugitive Slave Law, would give
him most cordial support. So, too. if un
derstand Alright his pledges in regard to our
foreign relations, and the lawless designs of a
portion of our citizens against tho territory OF
other nations in his efforts to preserve the
peace ond integrity of the Union, would cor.
daily cooperate so far as the constitutional
powers of Congress extend
If elected would give my support 10 any
measure which has for is object the securing
to the older Suites lair and just participation
in tho benefits TO he derived from the Pub
lie Lard Our National Domain is becom
ing source of sectional jealousy and angry
new States making strenuous
efforts to monopolize the whole of it; and there
arc varons schemes on foot, among which is a
proposition embodied in what is called tho
Homestead Bill, which are intended to divert
the public lands from the uses to which
they were originally dedicated. A vast
number of acres Of land have already
been given 10 the States, for the pur
pose of constructing Rail Roads and es
tabishing Schools, These States have not
felt themselves degraded by the grandson
the contrary their appetites growing. as it
would seem, by what they feed on. are
constantly craving additional supplies and the
opposition every session diminishing in
s,rength-has so far, in numerous instances a,
least, proven unable to defeat them. Idonot
see then why Virginia, which originally gran.
ted to the General Government vast proper.
ton of these lands, should feel herself degrad-
ed by receiving in return fair portion of what
the government holds as the result of her
bounty. We are engaged in an extensive
system OF Internal Improvement, requiring
large expenditure of money and entailing up
on the State a heavy debt. Besides this, the
census admonishes US that very great mum
Der oil persons in this Commonwealth Who are
entitled 10 exercise important political rights,
are unable TO read or write. To what moro
profitable and to what more noble purposes
then, could our portion of the pubic lands be
applied. than to the development of her immense
resources by means of rail. roads. and the es.
Enlistment Of system of free schools. in
IL