Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1857-05-19
TIE CANVASS AND IT'S INCIDENTS.

-.5 THE CANVASS AND ITS INCIDENTS
The Democratic party OF Virginia, more
than of rsny other State in the Union, has had
othroughoutits history to contend and struggle
with nearly every form Of political heresy and
folly, which unhallowed ambition and unscru-
fpllous denagoguism could invent, popular
deIusion support and its pathway to success
has ever been marked with the debris of de-
feated enemies mingled with the sad and mon
itory wrecks, of those of its own ranks, who,
either struck with judicial blindness, or else
inflated with presumptuous selfesteern, have
dared to run counter to lis will as expressed
In the best and only practicable manner, which
the ingenuity of man can suggest, viz: by
Conventions acting in fairness and with hon
esty of purpose. And whatever opinions NAV
be entertained by individuals upon this subject,
WHO condemn and repudiate this system of
party action, yet it is unquestionabIy true, that
it has been adopted and cherished by every
party in 4he country as the only means of in
slriag success. But it is not our purpose to
enter upon the discussion Of this subject, or to
cast any reflections upon any individual what
ever, merely intending to draw the attention
of the public mind, TO the wholeS ale deception
which is attempted to be practicsd uponthem by
the political nagicians who promise to do such
wonderful things, for the economic interests of
Virginia, through the agency of the public
lands, which they Propose-by some plan yet
to be devised-,o render productive for the
purpose Of internal improvement in the States,
which is the real meaning of distribution; be-
ing as we believe mere evasion of tho Con-
stituton, which does not confer the power of
building Railroads and Canals upon Congress,
and thus relieving the burthen of taxation,
now said to be expressing the people. Even
if it were true that the public lands belonged
to the States, in the sense coptepded for, and
it were practicable to realize any considerable
amount OF funds from them, for the purpose
of public works-would it relieve the people
from taxation to any extent? We answer
unequiEocaliy it would not for it is manifest
both from experience and history, that any
assistance which Statemay derive from 9th
er sources than the proper and natural exercise
of its own energies and resources-so far from
ment Of public expenditure, invariably in
flame and stimulate the minds of the people
and urge them towards the adoption of
schemes and plans of public improvement
which tend only to republication and ruin. Ex
amples of the truth Of this proposition might
be cited to an indefinite extent. And again,
we ask attention to other view of the prac1
II.
ing for the purpose, that it is not unconstitu-
tiotal as we'll as perr;icious and dangerous in
the extreme 10 the purity OF the State-and
inquire what would be the actual effect of
these land money grants? 1t is we'll known
that the present large revenue raised by taxa
ton is barely sufficient for the purposes of
supporting the government in its Necessary
outlay, and paying the interest upon the State
debt already contracted, and that not single
dollar can be applied towards the completion
oftbe great lines Of central improvement now
in an unfinished state, and needing vast sums
of money, for their competitors; as, for exam,-
pie; the Coaisgton & Ohio road, the most i'm
portant of all, which will require according to
estimate, nine millions of dollars. Now let
us. auPl ose that this sum Of money was paid
into the Treasury. from the'Iand fund-does
any one suppose for moment, that it would
find itsa application to the reduction of the cx,
listing debt and liabilities of the State and thus
reduce The rates Of taxation! Undoubtedly
it would Immediately be disposed of by the
Legislature in appropriations to the various
Railroads and other Improvements, which now
have no Western termini, and thus pass into
the possession Of large corporations, leaving
the people sill to groan and yrithe under the
crushing weight of taxation, which is now so
loudly bewailed.a Hissuseless, and worse than
useless, for the State to look for relief and aid
from any such chinericaL and visionary policy,
and ii is especially important that not only the
democratic party. but all those who may have
been caught byatbe specious garB and attrac-
i've exterior assumed blythe opposition ele-
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