Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1857-05-19
yIRGINIA'S VERDICT.

When any question is about to be submitted to tn
people, whether practical or not, if it involves al
important political principle, the popular voice
either in condemnation or approval, Is antic'pa's'
with interest and anxiety. And this is particular,
true whom :he decision ia to be rendered upon al v
eai unsuccessful issue again advanced unaef ~
plea of e1pediency and necessity, and oy ''a''
.ocr;.hed above all others for undertaking ue'''U
I, PRINCIPLES which scou: such question %
liz ;mp-ae;;csbo and unconstitutional
r.o a.c.;o,s 20 take place in Virginia within aje'
A.. ;,,uo,r,ta An instance. The public land aues
,;,n e,-,sa . feature of the old Wing party in Il!
,s,r,ss, days, to which those who followed the oe
ns;ve lights of it's leaders were accustomed 70 pom
With pride. The Wing party failed' and "aistriou
.;o," want down with it. Again and again has i
b.ao brvuch, before the people, and urged upon theu
with ingenuity, ability and energy. But the verdic
~, v;-a;n;. hA, never varied. Emphatic and un
.ouvocal condemnation has always been the result
:s.s elaboration Of the Democracy OF the o'a D'
p;nion upon that issue. Aud now tha' !" !" one!e'
for .ou. acceptance or rejsction' once more 'e
come, matter OF interest TO the puoilc mino-no'
,.s whether Virginia will repudlate 1t again. Out
s,certuiu il her political faith can be shaken oy aP
meals 20 .yarice and envy and representations OF d
extraordinary necessity.
The position of tho Democratic party OF Virginia
IL y. responsible as it 10 conspicuous eId proud.
Tp., exalted moral influence which this glorious
old State exsrts in the affairs Of the nation, 10 the o.
fec, of cause, higher and mother than parzan pre-
iudce aud power--an unwavering adherencet to those
principles upon which government was formed
end only by the observ of which II eau be main
tanned. Virginia views the compact between the
States a. embracing pledge Of fidelity and inVoiV
Ing an obligation of honor, az something 100 sacrea
q b, violated ON her part a. long the Union lasts
And however other States may abuse her conn
d-nce, by assuming to do that, which, ACCORD
;., 20 contract. they have not the right to
do; however the agents OF the government
nav psrver. their trusts, and Wisconsin lo"a anu
I,iiuois may oonnive at the wrong 6y cohsentng u
.cceot federal fund which is Improperly appheo
however any other or every other State may act 'n
justification of that faith which was protessed ahd
pi-;,ed by all in the Constitution, ViRGiSiA, ever
trus to that manly spirit OF Independence and hohor
q. INV cost, which has always distinguished her, Will
never cease to spurn preferred bounty OF the Feaera
Gu, erument, which the Constitution condemns sne
entered into an agreement with her sister States Tor
the formation of the Union. And as long as the
conpsc, between them is recognized as legitimate
end binding in one part, Nirginiawii abide by I'll all
Tn. Const,tutiop of the United States was agreed
uoon, endorsed ratified and adopted by the several
,,ysr.yutes as compact of confederacy, consider
81 "a sacred as the rights which it is intended 10 re-
present. and as priceless in the preservation OF It's pu
.y as the honor is designed to protect That Con
oil tkf.
s:rion is still acknowledged by each ana all the
S:r,es And let others abuse it as they may the Ola
Duru.ion will consider her obligation to observe II
n,ne the less long she processes TO sustain IL
!: is this inh-xible adherence to prlnclple' 'hls
determined di.daiu with which che invariably REJECTS
every overture involving an impeachment OF her III.
d.rsudence or her honor. which invests VIRGINIA
with prestige and pride known to no other name III
the nation.
!; we contend for one principle in the Constitution
We nns, contend fo7 them all. If Virginia would BE-
unsuitable in accepting portion OF the proceeds VI
the public lands the ground that the trust mas al
,esIv been abused that the common fund of all the
States is being squandered by the Federal govern
mint IN its appropriations to the new States; that be-
cause lows or Wisconsin has accepted part OF the
issri fund.- Incorporated by the unconstitutional
w
s:i,u;;ons considerations and receive her share why
moi admit at once that the States have nfrnged that
faith each to the other upon which the Union was
erected, and that when any one State violates ihe
Constitution, it is example to be initiated by the
Others. instead Of denounced as an outrage and
avoided a. prscedsn pregnant with dishonor, dis
.srs,on and danger to the Union If violation OF
sS- Constitution by one State justfies i. in another,
why may not the notification of the fugitive slave
lsw in Massachusetts eSonerate Ohio or Vermont
from he charge Of disoyasy and treason for sim
!sr otf.nce against the federal lawsl
Ii Virginia il to be expected to accept her proper
.;5n of the proceeds of the public lands, notwith
.,.nd!ux sine considers it unconstitutional, simply be-
csuse other States are approprating them to their
own purposes, hen indeed is the federal government
Altogether imaginary and unmeaning, md the Con-
.;utvn an cntiquated aud empty record in the ar
chives of Inc country.
i, oontendcd by the Opposition, that Virginia
should b. all nee-s demand. not only the forty thou
ssa! dollars assigned to her under the distribution
&C. Of 1911 but also her rghu share OF the remain
der of the public lands. The statement OF a simple
fac; made by Hon John Letcher, in address to his
constituents in Rockingham a few days ago, gives
q ouietus to the cry for the forty thousand dollars,
:nesnuch it shows that there is general law OF
Congress which prohibits the withdrawal Of any mo-
rev from the national treasury. unless it be called for
within tro years from the time Of the passage OF the
act approprlatng it. And that not only tro but
,ir;,.u gears having elapsed since the distribution
sc Of Al the claim of the State Of Virginia, even il
She d-msnded it, would be barred by statute of
10 in fart
thousand dollars deposited in the Federal Treasury
20 the credit Of Virginia.
II is assumed by the opposition that just pro-
portion Of the land fund would materially Lessen tax
s.ion 10 the State, and enable to complete our ill.,
ternal improvements speedily and easily. 1t is yet
20 ne shown that these public lands have paid
a doar Of prof, into the golfers Of the country; aye
tia. they are not in debt to tbs customs But admit
that V.rginia's share would amount to millions upon
millions Of money admit that an sppor,ionment Of the
proceed. among the States would moi be in conflict
with The Constitution admit that Our people are
taxed almost unto death, and that without this aid
from the Federal fund internal improvements
INNS, be abandoned. Admit all these things We cay;
,r-san, the picture Of necessities in irs most ap.
na,,ng and that of the distribution question in its
rnos' attractive aspect, and then We would ark, how
can i, To accomplished What practical plan can
bs proposed for an equitable superintendent OF
-. pubic lands The question suggesss probemn
IN solution Of which ie about as possible as that the
.soo., 0! Virginia will be persuaded to undertake it
rae Old Dominion, Il is true, is IN need OF innate
rial d" She has entered upon magnificent aud
.n.n icen; system OF inierna! improvements, which
cures an imu use amount OF money to compet:
I. Her people are faxed to an extent they have
n"t learned 10 eadure ron force of habit but which
shey patiently Ara patTio;icaily bear because they
c"asder Tor the public gooi and they are assured
Iha, tue day M not distant when the Investment
si,i BE prof. enough to satisfy the most deaf