Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1853-07-28

70 be- Tor the most part, non. committsl on thu
subject of the Pacific railway. The Republic
can.of this city has an article devoted to a com
parison of different ronies-but does mol
make known its views on the constitutional
question 1t speaks of " the important subject
of rail road connection with our extensive
possessions on the Pacific as attracting gen.
e-al attention " both on the Atlantic & Pacific
coasts" but nevertheless does not appear 10
regard it sufficiently "important" to call for an
exposition OF its own opinions in regard to it.
The Southside Democrat comes out,with much
caution. but considerably leaves the gap down
for its return, il necessary. 1t says;
s..As at present advised by our Impressions OF
the constitutional questions IT involves. zoe are
opposed 10 the measure; however we know not
but that a further examination oil the subject
may reliere our mind ofoese Scrnptes. But our
readers cannot be too cautious in making up
their judgement upon this question. II presents
many difficulties which must serve greatly 10
ernbarrass State rights men. The voice OF our
senators in congress in regard TO the consutu
tional power over this subject was distinct and
unequivoca Virginia statesmen cannot be
too careful oi ceaving the republican moor
ings of the old commonwealth without due re
Election.
We have waited for the utterance of these
reflections from presses whose opinions. from
their influence and higher position, would have
carried with them mole weight OF authority
than our own, and hare sodited quite tong
enough, and none have spoken. But this fact
shall moi deter us. So we call upon the peo
pie of Virginia to halt before they give Their
endorsement. without due Consideration, 10
measure which al best presents many BARRIERS
over which il would be prudent for them not
unwarily to leap. Let us pause and consider
this question IN the meantime. let Gen. DAVIS
tell us what he said and meant
On the other hand the Charleston Mercury.
heretofore deemed an oracle OF state-rghts
and strictc construction, expresses It's hearty ap
proval of the scheme. After quoting the Ian
guage of Secretary Davis. 1t says:
THE plan here indicated, il is well known 10
our readers, is the one whch this paper has al
ways advocated from the commencement OF
the discussion in the Senate last winter We
advocated the measure as one of plum necessl
~ 10 the protection of the Pacific region, and
its construction 10y the Government as the con.
slitu,ional and proper mode of realizing the
object We rejoice 10 see that the Admins
tralion has taken this view of a question likely
TO have so great a place in the practcal poll.
Tics OF the next four years Col Daviss views
are so exactly our own, so well expressed, and
70 significant of settled policy, that we quote
them at some length
This question is destined to disturb most
dstressngIy the amiahle harmony OF that, the
most self satisfied aud conceited oil all parties
the strict constructionists par excellence. So
long as they had nothing TO do but spin long
theories, or weave the gauzy web OF abstrac'
ton, no discrepant sound was heard in all their
hazy realm. But now that great practical
question il presented by one of their own mum
Der, TO determine which adversely is to throw
themselves in opposition to the Powers that
be-we arc likely to have another Babel scene
Of confusion and discord. Thus we see the
Charleston Mercury and the Southsde Demo
crat--each taught in the the same school %
state-righ ts-skiiled alike,as we had supposed
to apply with PEI feet exaelness the rules ant
standards of their system TO any suPposablt
case-afte- deli1era survey and measure
,nent, with compass and square. of this Pacific
Job, arriving at directly opposite judgments
concerning it-.onc determining that it fits like
q brick into the state rights structure, The Other
wholly unable to find place where he car
work il in.
Others as learned as they in the art and
mystery of this occult trade seem 10 be struck
speeches. with perplexiry. The Richmond
Enquirer fer example-whose editor we hat
imagined so perfectly skilled in the science anc
practice OF slate.rgh,s, that you might have
walked him fwo o'clock in the morning an,
he would have answered any question 20,
might have asked him--tho Enquirer, hereto
fore deemed an iniallihle guide book for al
who thread the may labarynthue winding
OF constitutional abstraction--is now as duml
as deserted shrine. What are the subalterns
accustomed TO wait the word Of command from
this ancient ugleman, 10 do Verify, we fear