Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-12-14
the Presideni's Message.

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of this document and before entering into
written discussion of It's separate features,
mus, premise by avowins that, 10 our opn,
ion, it's departures from the rule oil political
faith, laid down in the platform OF the Dem.
ocratic Republican party, are too marked
and too frequent, to admit OF its endorse
ment by the Democracy OF Virginia.
We regret that the President should have
thought il necessary to commence his mes
sage with long and lsbored review OF the
Lecom pton question, which has already oc.
casioned suH :ient disaster to the party. 1t
intended az mere personal vindlcaton OF
his own course, it may well be questioned,
whether he bas not given euch vIndlcston
more prominence thao il merited or requir-
cd. Moreover, it presents nothing which
has not already aud repeatedly been discus
sed and even denied, ADD seems to Insist too
stringentlY or one side of question, which
has at least been acknowledged to possess
TWO sides, and on which the Democracy are
divided. without q prescott prospect OF the
reconciliation If opposing views. II not To-
tended as a mere personal vindication, then
this part of the Message must certainly be
con-idered as worse than useless. Assured
ly i. was not required IN any manner to
guide the deliberations of the present Con-
gress. At all events, it re-opens an old sore,
which time and the careful avoidance Of ad-
ditonal recrimination, are alone sufficient to
heal.
The proposition for a Federal bankrupt
act, which is to give the General Government
i'm mcd tie and paramount control over State
corporations, we are obliged TO say, is as IN
constitutional and as dangerous to State sov-
ereixnty as MIR. Calhoun ever described it to
to be. % this point, Virgins statesmen
owe 1t to their own traditions 10 meet the
proposal OF the Executive With firm denial.
Equally opposed are we TO any retrograde
step which proposes to introduce specific in
stead of ad vaiorem tariff duties. Indeed,
10 orr juig0ent, the ordinary expenses 0f
the Government require 90 elevation OF the
present rates of tariff duties. Aud if they
d., We are prepared to stand firm in the ad-
vocacy ,f strictly al vslOren tariff, adap'
ted, not TO purposes of socailed "protec-
tion," bot entirely to raising revenue just
sufficient to meet necessary governmental x.
pcnses.
And We are obliged again to protest
against any federal appropriation OF land or
money to works of internal improvement.
However desirable Pacific Railroad may
be, We recognize DO necessity for Its oon-
struction, suih Client to authorize Congress to
appropriate the property of this Contedera-
ton Of States TO any purposes not prescribed
by the Constitution.
We are we'll aware that our strict obser-
vance Of the political landmarks Of our faith
ers will meet with much opposition from
many sections. The interests of our large
cities at the North may well favor q bank
rupt Jaw, tue const quence Of which will ne
cessarly lie TO concentre 10 their hands the
whole monetary power Of the country. A
large portion Of the western people may be
persuaded to favor appropriations to internal
Improvements, of which they will be the
immediate recipients. Turbulent spirits
from Baltimore TO New Orleans may rejoice
in the prospect Of limltless field Of terrific
rial CONQUEST. Manufacturers may still en-
terrain the delusise belief that their interests
are best secured at the expense OF their
peigbbors. Still, We will stand by what We
believe 70 be the doctrines of the Constitu
ton, and what we know to be the doctrines
Of cur fathers.
It is time that every man in Virginia
should speak fearlessly and honestly. Let
the Hon. Il. NJ. Hunter, the great tDaDclal
leader of ID, Uoited States Senate, a. once
take his position On these questions before
tie people o! Virginia.
Above all, let the Hon. John Letcher de-
clare bis opinion as TO the position which
Virginia ought TO take at this moment. He
is not oniy tioancIal leader iu the House
Of representatives., but he has just become
the representative man Of Virginia Demo
cracy. Is he in favor Of a continued irrits-
ton Of the old sore OF Lecomp,onism2 L.
be in favor Of appropriations by the General
Government to internal improvements IL
BE- 10 favor OF a tariff Of specific duties, for
purposes Of protection, or for any other pur-
uOse? |, be in favor of q federal bankrupt
Law CT any sort or description! Is be 10 ia
70. Of increasing the revenue beyond the
Immediate requirement Of ordinary expen-
se-, 10 order - provide beforehand for tue
purchase OF new territories, the establish
ment Of prCteciorat", the construction OF
Pacific Railroad, or any other possibility,
constitutional or unc instltutionai1
We are now engaged IN advocating the
election Of Mir. Letoher, as Governor of Viz
glni.. Let him boldly announce the true
doctrine q; the Virginia Democracy on these
Questions, and be will at once trebly
strengthen our arms for his support. We
e,peciiuIly request an early answer from
MIR. Letoher --Rich. Enquirer.