The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1853-11-14
East and West.

we are sorry to see this antiquated division
recurred to, and the old feelings of section
stirred up in some quarters, in connexion with
railroad appointments. We had hoped that
the late Reform Convention had quieted for
all future time the insane and senseless zeal
ousy between the two sections. On that oc-
casIon both parties settled all radical causes
OF difference by the greatest and most gene
fous sacrifices. There was no longer any
principle left to quarrel about, and thence
farth Virginia became zone andindissoluble."
Nor has either section of the State. since
the Reform Convention, and, indeed. for some
years before, had any reason to complain of
neglect or partiality in the State government
IN appropriations for internal Improvement
A system of public works has been establish
ed which embraces both East and West in its
comprehensive scope, and which indeed de
pends for its efficiency and success as much
upon its Western as its Eastern extension.
Millions upon millions have been appropri-
ated for railroads to develope the rich agri-
cultural and mineral treasures of the West
and to unite Virginia with the great natural
and artificial highways of the Western and
South westernStates. Both sections are equal
ly interested in the completion of our public
works, and neither have the slightest reason
to complain that they have been neglected by
the legislature. Indeed, the only complaints
we have lately heard in regard to appropria-
tions are from the opponents of the improve
ment system, who conjure up periodically the
bugbears of extravaganza and bankruptcy
Is it not then the height of folly and injustice
to invoke the slumbering prejudices of Sec
ton because the officers of Improvement COM
panies happen, sometimes, to be selected
from one instead of another section? What
on the earth has section to do with aualifca-
tions for the presidency of railroad compa-
ny? Ought not an Office in which the Com
monwealth and the community ae so pro-
foundly interested, to be filed with sole refe-
renee to capacity and integrity, and not to
the county or the section in which man
lives? Ought not the best man to be chosen
no matter where his tent is pitched We
should think SO, and it seems to us that
pOln cOCtioilS III the DSIl6iitS ol a
road, they should not only be content to let
the offices of that road be distributed without
regard to section, but perceive that their mu-
tual interests demand the selection of the most
capable men, without reference to their loca-
ton.
We do not believe for moment that there
is any jealousy upon this or any other subject
between the people of Eastern and Western
Virginia Their disinterestedness and straight
forward honesty would never take note of
the ''trifes light as air. which jealous aspi-
rants and demagogues seize as irresistible
confirmation of wrong and injustice. We
have no fear, however, that this sectional
spirit can hereafter effect any alienation be.
tween our people. Virginia, east and west,
has been united in bonds which no wit nor
power of man can hereafter sunder The po-
litical barriers between east and west have
gradually given way before the compromise
of the last Constitutional Convention, and our
mountain ramparts are disappearing before
the extension of railroad and canal. When
these shall be completed, Virginia will be
one in fact, in interest and in affection, as
well as in name.