Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1859-12-01
The Legislature and It's Duty.

The Legislature and It's Duty.
The Virginia Legislature will commence its session in
this city Monday next A few of the members have
already arrived and all of them presume will reach
the city by Sunday evening.
1t needless remark that the ensuing session of
the General Assembly will be the most important in
many respects that has assembled since the adoption of
the Federal Constitution The duties that will devolve
upon It, will be of the most various aud wcighy charac-
ter demanding the exercise Of calmness discretion wis
DOM and an enlightened and comprehensive patriotism
The question of the defences OF the State will naturally
attract the earliest attention, and should be and dis
posed of without parade, buster, wraugling. Aud
yet doubt not that not less than seventy-iive or
hundred members will here with their pockets
stuffed with Buncombe resolutions each hoping and aim
Ing TO outstrp all Others in capital for no
Itcal effect at home. Now, dcprecate in advance all
such humbug movements the part of members, as
tending necessarily TO obstruc f not ultimately defeat
all ncedul and useful legislation aud expose US TO
the dicue and contempt of the whole country and cs
peciay to the people of the Northern States The late
murderous Aboion.foray at Harper's Ferry has verv
naturally produced unusual excitement and indignation
throughout the State; and yet it is to be hoped that
members Of the Legislature will act calmly prudentlv
and wisely, in all things and suffer themselves to 60
of hafcoeked any subject that may 5e brought be-
fore them. As for ourselves that not single
resolution in reference the HArpers Ferry affair n
be offered in the House by any member Of any party-
Let no; the Of HArpe-'s Ferry be named IN
either branch Of the General Assenby-f9r Buasumbe
resOlEdOos and reports and speeches are of no avail
lSz might pass thousand -esolG;lSus o. the subject az
tie izvAsiOo At HGrPsEs Very Aad What you'd they
.Eozt % p-aetical poist Of view Our deliberate
ea - IA; whatever Is 20 Dc do1e IN the wav OF p-,r
raoo for the defence Of the STATE should be doae uh
oat vain talk and ridiculous blus;er Il is the only me
thOd ve possibly adopt, to impress our Northern
enemies that in earnest-that we mean what Ne
sAy-hat action, not words Is motto now For long
years the Virginia Legislature has been passing threaten
ing and flaming resolutions the subject of Southern
rights and what effect have these resolutions had upon
Virginia actonS We counsel no extreme or impruSant
measures either the part of the Legislature or the
people Our only wish is, that there be an end nut TO
mere talk and bravado. II We don't mean TO do any
thing, then don't say any thing But if we propose to
do something, then do it calmly, quietly effectively dig
nihedy; and whatever many be done will then command
the unanimous sanction of people and compel
the respect of our enemies.
We have heretofore suggested the proprety Of putting
the Commonwealth in state of defence without upnec
essary delay. What particular measures should be adof
ted in the premises is for the discretion and wisdom r
the Legislature to determine That our volunteer svs
TEN should be encouraged and aided to the fullest pr
tcabe extent is the opinion believe of the entire
State That the militia system should be reformed and
Organized, is equally necessary In word the peopl
should be provided with arms-the best that money =
procure-and subjected stated drill service so as n
render our whole white male population of suitable age
efficient soldiers ready for action in any emergency and
on the shortest notice. We think too that the State A.
mory requires to be overhauled and improved in many
essential respects 1t short whatever after calm inyest
CATION and consideration, may be thought to be neces
~ for the proper defence Of the Commonwealth and tho
protection Of her citizens should be adopted bv the Loo
isature without hesitation These preparations for Stat,
defence will necessarily cost money and perhaps good
deal of it; but the people, know will foot the hin
with pride and pleasure. To be sure-a expense not real
Unnecessary to the main object should be stuJi us
avoided We only insist and the people insist that bod,
State and people should be put in state of prep,r.to
Tor any emergency which the of the future NAV
preciptate upon us.
Other questions Of primary importance will co,,e ,
before the Legislature, and demand the serious attention
OF members The question Of internal Improvement =.
OF the very first magnitude That ample APPROXIMATION
should be made to complete the works ALREADY I'm ,
gress, i what all intelligent and rejecting minds will ,
once admit In regard 10 the Coyington and OH, Pil
road especially, there ouly two alternatives r,l
TO the legatsre-either to grant an appropriation S
heient TO complete il within reasonable time or e
NN"' '''' NHe-i Pitrt altogether. There has
been far too much bidding on the part of the Lsp,
TIRE IN regard to that great work Il ought 10 have L
completed, and might have been completed long a
the Legislature had rightly appreciated is du,y 10 M
Commonwealth, and acted with becoming wisdom, lilo,
Atty and hrmness 1t is great and magnificent Stat,
work in which the deope Of the whole State and M, NJ
part merely directly aud deeply interested and
which should Ind advocates and supporters in the
sentatves Of the people from every portion of the Com
monWeath. But il the Legislature does not extend n
hberal and adequate aid its coming session II had
better, we have already suggested proclaim its pu
pose at once TO abandon the idea Of completing II alto
gether We hope, however that wise and lust counsel.
will prevail, AID that the proud and gratifying fact will
90 forthto the people that the Coyington and Ohio Rail
road TiH be completed, and within reasoaaJls period
Of time.
Other subjects Of great importance will attract the At
tonton Of the Legislature which We have not time TO s
lude TO now We take occasion 70 suggest however that
the Legislature viii be composed Of men very Isrrc
majority Of whom heretofore can best subservo n p
interests Of their constituents by lying low and keeppy
dark-that i, by not thrustng themselves forward in
way Of making motions and Offering resolutions and oil
erWise making themselves conspicuous and ridiculous 10
no al -I.