American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1857-03-14
TO THE PEOPLE of PRESTON
1-et n COUNTY. jt4tls

FBLLOW-ClTIZENS I'll have recently
understood that a short time ago. there was
gathering of the wire. workers for Office,
held at Cranberry Summit, in the county of
Preston, where from what I can learn he
that could work the wires the most adroitly
was the most successful, without regard 10
merit, qualifications, past services. or any
thing else that ought to recommend man
TO the great agricultural, manufacturing and
mercantile interests OF the county, as a suit
able man to represent them in the Council
of the State. Believing, therefore. as have
always believed, that such nominations,
where the people would be governed by
them, were calculated to prevent the best
men from being brought before the people,
and he that would stoop to the lowest and
dirtiest work was the one most likely to be
successful in getting the nomination, there
fore hope tina, the people will not suffer
themselves to be governed by any such
clques, but lha, they will come forward in
the majesty Of their power, and show TO the
world that they are capable of selecting
their own Representatives, without the die.
taton OF any one, particularly in county @.
lections where they can be acquainted with
all The candidates before them. Remember,
there is something of far more Importance
to be done than selecting mere parlisans or
demegoeues to represent US. The State is
inrolred in hcGpy DEBT, which has 10 be
paid some way or other, while our taxes are
already oppressive How is that debt TO be
paide That is problem which requires
wise legislation to solve, and the solution OF
which rises in importance infinitely higher
thai the mere doctrine Of party rewards and
pmishmenis which govern the action Of the
nominating cliques. My impression is that
L can be done if the people will only look to
their interests, and pay no attention to par
y, without that party is pursuing the right
course. 1t is the dictate of wisdom, pru-
dence, and economy, in the present debt
ridden condition of Virginia, to prefer her
best interests to the success of mere party
appliances. Who will say otherwise?
But will submit my views of State poll
cy, and ask for them the candid and unpre-
judiced consideration Of my fellow citizens.
The way think our State debt can be paid,
and the heavy burden of taxation can be lift
ed of the shoulders OF the people, is for us
to take Virgina's share Of publicland money
which has been laying in the Banks for the
last ,wen,y-odd years, doing nobody any
good but the Banks, and apply it towards
paying the debts of the State and lessdn'ng
the taxes, as faras il will CO. This amount,
can better come from the Golfers of the
Banks thsn'from the pockets of The people
especially in these hard times.
Secondly, would take Gen. JACKSON's
plan for it, by requiring our Representatives
in Congress to use their influence to procure
the passage of an act dividing the public
Lands Of the Uiited States among the diff
fereni States of the Union, according TO their
population; and let the several States apply
the proceeds OF the sales Of their lands as
they, in their wisdom, may think proper =
This would enable Virginia TO pay all her
debts. finish all her Railroads, Turnpkes
&C.. and educate all her children, and re-
lIeve the people at once from their burihen-
some taxation. In order 10 accomplish this
great work, The people must move in the
matter-elect no one to the Legislature Of
The State, who will not pledge himself to do
ell ne can TO accomplish this object. Now
IS The time. You have only 10 turn your
eyes TO the legislation in Congress, and you
VIII see that twill only take few years to
squander it all away TO land gamblers in the
West, while the old States are not getting
one acre Of il Now why will you stand
still all The day long, and let such golden
harvest pass you, and not gather a single
dollar for yourselves. Why will you be
content to delve and dig 10 pay your taxes,
aud let party caucuses rule the Slate, year
after year, when the prosperity or our good
o'd Dominion is in your reach, by acting
independent of their domineering dicta,ion
u we remain mum, with our arms folded.
until after The Census Of 1860 is taken, and
me hpporiionment Of Representation is
made from the Census Of 1860, the North
and Northwest will have such preponder.
ance OF power in the National LEGISLATURE.
mat they will have il in their power TO do
Just what they please with the public lands,
md they have always showed disposition
10 give II away for the benefit OF the new
States.
Look otihe little State Of Iowa. Tha,
State bas just received four or five millions
OF acres Of the public lands for the purpose
OF making three Railroads clear across ,ha,
State, while Virginia is not getting one dol.
'ats worth Of these lands. Then turn your
attention TO the proceedings Of The Tnvest2a.
ung Committee in Congress, and you will
there learn how such bills are carried ibro,
nat body. You will fiud by the report Of
mat Committee, thai !, has been proven be.
lore The Committee that certain WIN. A