Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1857-05-22
nun RICHM0ND ENQUIRER.


nv RICHIE, l. DUSNASANf'
FR1DAY MORNING, MAY ~, 1887.
THURSDAY NEXT.
p.fore the next edition of the seIni.weeky Enquirer
can have reached very large proportion OF its read
er, in this State, the campaign in Virginia will have
c,ossd-,he election will be over. Representatives
IN both branches of the State Legislature and in the
lower house of Congress are to be chosen; and II
i. to DO as heartily hoped it is confidently expect
ed, that the vote of Virginia will not be unworthy
the name and fame Of her redoubtable Democracy.
We have urged upon our readers the importance Oh
this contest, with reference not SO much to any mme
date danger incident to the doctrines OF the disrion
tnnists as to collateral considerations, which, though
seemingly secondary, are in reality, paramount to
the primary point of dispute.
To contend for partition of the public lands or
distribution of the proceeds Of their sales in tse
a. idle as to reposs in incidence, upon the eIpecta-
ton Of realizing a dream of redundant riches,
,hroagh some supernatural agency. 1t is matter OF
exceeding doubt whether this splendid domain, this
mine of money which we are told the new States are
eIhsustng at the expense OF the old States, is really
adequate in it, present profits to the expenses has in
Cured Aud We have not unfrequenty had occasion
10 remark in the discussion of this question: ad
hitting that the profits of the proceeds of the public
lands amount to millions, it would be altogether as
mpraotoable a. it would be unconstitutional to OBJ
tain equitable apportionment of the surplus among
the several States. These lands all lying beyond
the limits of Virginia; they intended as sources
Of revenue for the co1oint interests Of all the States.
And II they have been applied otherwise in violation
Of the trus Virginia would be not only ustiable
In preferrng claim for participation in the scramble
the Federal booty but even with the consent of
her citizens it would battle the ingenuity Of the astutest
advocates of distribution to present practical plan,
by means of which she might secure her share. The
allowance of lands TO the North western States, by
Congress, for the furtheranoe of their separate
purposes and interests, finds no favor in our judg
ment, nor countenapce or commentator in our CO.
!uuns. But if the public domain, belonging to the
Ossted States as nation, and intended for the pay
ment of the expenses Of the General Government. to
woch esch State acknowledges allegiance, as to be
~sappropriated through the malfeasance Of the au-
thortles to whose exclusive control it has been
trusted, we are free to confess that we consider it
che least dangerous disposition, as well as much more
In accordance with sound national sentiment, than
distribution, to allow the lands to those States in
which they lie, and where they are absolutely needed
for the DEVELOPMENT Of their resources as sovereign
.aa Independent people, but belonging to the same
brotherhood, conforming to common Constitution,
and upholding the Union, In which and under which
We ali hope to live happily and prosperously together
II Virginia is proud of being the another of States,
she should surely feel some interest in the growth of
her children, and the expansion Of the Union
And If wrong must be done, If the Federal Co
vernmont riR abuse its trust let it be done with
little detriment possible to the Constitution and to
the independence and sovereignty Of Virginia.
The truth 10 the distribution question, is in itself
altogether an abstraction. It enbodies doctrines
which would be impractcable, if they were not in.
expedient and unconstitutional. But it involves a
principle, and points to purpose, both Of which
entitled to tho most serious consideration. The pr,n
ePe relates to the authority Of the Federal Govern
ment to dsburse the contents of the Federal Treasury
otherwise than for the common good Of oil the States
together and to the proprety and authority Of sove
reign State n consenting TO connive at the wrong al
scqpiesos In an Infringement of the Constitution by
accepting the pecunisry profits Immediately arising
from 1t. And the purpo,e is re organization of the
opponents Of the Democracy, into political party.
The one ia a corollsrv of a. -. -'"s u.is wou'd
:. s.s, 70 proclaim the Constitution Cancelled,
aud the government open to innovation and at the
mercy Of eKpedients. To promote such purpose, un
der exciting circumstances would be to invite aggres.
zion from the North, and prepare the South for DE-
feat, and submission or separation in 1861 Virgi-
ns Il regarded by her sister States of every section
too patriotic and conservative to sacrifice her po
ltiosl principles 10 any emergency. Every new ex.
pertinent In politics is considered unsettled until it |
has been tested In election in the Old Dominion
Know nottingham swept over the country like a
slmoom and its opponents were everywherein dread
Of Ito terrible triumph. unit! the voice of Virginia
sterny rebuked it and blasted it forever, in the est
nation of thousands upon thousands of it's own
misguided votaries and victims. And now that ano |
thsr dangerous dogma the question in issue, which,
If suocessful, would undoubtedly furnish foothold
FOR the organic .tion of the elements of opposition to
the Democracy, into another party in the South. is
Advisable that Southern men, who value the Union |
above an empty abstraction, and who would wish to |
see the saveholdpg States stand in compact column
to receive and repel the of aboonism in 1850
should calmly consider the danger Of encouraging
division Of our strength by giving countenance to
the only Issue now advanced by those who fought |
for Fillmore when Fremont threatened to subjugate
the South.
Condemn I" distribution and the last rallyipg
point Of the Opposition will have yielded. Sus
tain 1t, and the Constitution will not only be
open to any innovation which the caprcss, passions
or preudices Of popular majority may propose but
the South will DO preparing for an ignominious de-
fea. by encouraging division in its own ranks.
THERE'S no doubt We presume. on any mans mind,
that the vote of Virginia will DO as il has ever been,
In unsquvocal condemnation of "distribution."-
But We are anxious that the majority of last Fall
shall be maintained. To do this there must be no
apathy on the part Of the Democracy, any town
county of the State.
Thursday next will be the day Of election. Let
every Democrat do his duty.
ANOTHER GOOD AND ABLE MAN PASSED
AWAY!
1t 10 With sincere pain that i've announce the |
IL