Kanawha Valley star. [volume] (Charleston, Va. [W. Va.]) 1856-1861, 1857-01-27

the uOQr oithe virginia Aett5isiasuto ia
opposing this very idea Of "distribu-
tons" Whether this be true or 9TH
erwise we care not, let them elevate
themselves from the discussion Of a
small man. to the discussion ofa great
question. They can demonstrate 1t
they choose, that the Bill can never
pass the next Congress, which will be
intensely Democratic. That if the
Democratic party forgetful Of past
pledges and Of party faith should pass
thelBill. in the teeth of a strenuous
opposition on the part of the Virgin
ia Delegation in Congress, that the
State is pledged BY thirty years legis-
.latiohs to hurl the Bill back in the
face Of Congress, and that the State
has the entire control of the Coving.
ton and Ohio Railroad. We want
the question however discussed on
principle, not on grounds of expedi-
ency, let them slow that the Bill is
in opposition to the very letter, and
to the true construction ofthe Consti,
tuition. And that only hope !. Of the
Southern States isin a strict construc-
ton of that instrument, that without
1t, their only alternative is absolute
submission or speedy secession. 1t
isa dishonest for Congress 70 grant
Virginia these lands, it would be dis
honest in Virginia to receive them
Is not honesty the best policy, for
States, as well as for Individuals
We value honesty pride and poverty
in man far beyond bloated wealth &C
conpanied by damaged reputation,
the same principle that applies to the
individual man, is equally applica-
Bile to the:aggregate mass. Did your
bosom never thob with pride when
Won have seen the men who represen-
the sovereignty of Virginia meet their
peers in Congress, Convention or
Caucus how they were listencI to,
how they was looked up te, how they
representing q state comparatively
pc or in material wealth. but rich in
deed ii past glory, and in present
consistent honesty, overbalance and
outweighe, the poWeriul and wealthy
though politically corrupt, States of
New Y DIRK or Massachusetts,, with their
breeched women who have ignor-
ed modesty,and tlseirpolitical .arsons
who have forgotten God Would We
damage one >jjot or one title Of this
proud position Of Your state, for the
delusive hope Of a grant Of land to
your railroad.
If Garlic depended on his own
party alone, he would be powerless
indeed; but 20, the Land Bill" is
addressed to Democrats, while it
strikes at the cardinal principles of
Democracy, tits utterly subversivc Of
State sovereignty and constitution
ol.union." Ifyou bestow upon the
Federal Government the power of
distributing the immense quantity OF,
its public lands, andEits surplus reve-
nnes upon the,statesr away with State
sovereignty. When the States be-
came the pensioners of the Federal
Government, they descend at once
ffom2the dignity. ofsovereigns to the
,insignifcanee Of municipal corpora
tons. Democrats should even bear
in mind the first principles of their
party creed. Keep the Federal Gov
eminent as far alooffrom the schemes
and quarrels efthe Old World as pos
sible. Prevent Europe from inter
meddling with the affairs of this con
tinent, in other words "enter into
no entanglipg alliance" and enforce
the Monroe doctrine. Restrict the
Federal Government to powers plain
y granted in its charter, and preserve
the sovereignty OF the States, with all
their reserved powers. Prevent the
State Governments from legislating
upon subjects manifestlywithou the
pale ofall legislation such as religion,
education andtemperance. With this
simple but beautiful chart to- guide
him, no Democrat need fear to be Sc
duced by the land bill. :.
Responsibility.