Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1859-03-30
The lieutenant of Letcher.

We published in our daily edition oi ses'ero"!
an article from the Richmond Wing concerning
thu legislative record Of Letcher's Lieutenant,
wherein II was shown that his opposition to every
measure Of internal improvement, ever projected
in Virginia was uniform and indlscr'minate.-
The particulars were all giyen;so that every one
NAV see for himself from the official record, what
narrow and illiberal and contracted views Mr.
Montague held On the question Of the policy o'
Virginia with regard to the development oil her
power and resources
The article from the Whig also appears in our
tri.weekly edition of to-day and will be inserted IN
our next weekly We beg each and all Of our read
crs to give it an attentive pctusal
independent Of the fact stated by the " ing That
the Lieutenant Governor, as President oil the
Senate has the appointment of the Committees,
and thus is enabled to shape the legislation OF
the State is the other fact that i, is not mpossibls
that he may become actually the Governor OF
the Commonwealth. Should the Democratic
ticket be elected and Mr., Lctcher were either to
die or resign, or become incarArs'ed IN any way
Montayue becomes Governor Of the State The
contingency is more than possible one-and We
entrcat the internal improvement people OF 'ir-
einia to consider seriously what would be the re-
suit.
Mr.. Montague went TO the Legislature OF 'ir-
cinia. possessed of the narrow and illibcra idea
that he was tho legislator for his little county
of Middlesex alone 1t is characteristic OF small
beer politicians not to see beyond the smoke OF
their own chimneys. lusteal of lcsislat'ng' IN
IN enlarged and catholic spirit, for the grand ~
terests Of the whole Commonwealth, lone and IN
dvisible," Mr.. Montague planted himself logged
ly upon his one idea Of opposing ers'y'a'"9 that
was originated with u vieS of starting old Virgin
ia on career Of agricultural and commercial
prosperity.
An example wns before him, in tho person OF
Col. Joseph Segar Of Elizabeth City, which Mr.,
Montague, if he had been possessed 81 either
boldness or craftsmanship, might easily have
profted by. Col Segar hns for years represented
Q constituency in the Legislature who are, in no
respect, directly interested in the subject OF in
ternal improvements. 1t is the extreme Eastern
portion of the State, this side of the Bay-inter-
sected at every point with broad navigable rivers
which afford every facility for communication
with the outside would. And vet Col. Setar has
proper. for the last twenty five years although he
has b,en liberal and consistent freud Of every
internal improvement Of any consequence that
has been proposed in the State. lie has gone to
the Legislature to take care of the general inter
ests Of the Commonwcalth--not to represent Eliza.
beth City alone. lie has convinced his c,n sltu-
ents that it is their duty, as loyal citizens. to
favora comprehensive policy Of Improvement
which will rebound to the honor. the benefit, and
the glory of the whole State. And lis giAcrous
constituents have responded to his arguments
and appeals by repeatedly returning him. by
overwhelming maj critics. orer his an'i-inielnal-
improvement competitors
Not so with Mr.. Montague. New York, Penn
aylvania, and other States with not half the
natural advantages of Virginia, pushing
ahead in the race Of commercial enterprisc-but
Mr.. Montague voted to tie down the strong arms
Of Virginia, and chain her, as it were. to Sissy
phean rock. The great heart Of the old Common
wealth was beating with anxiety to enter upon a
comprehensive system of devclopmsn.-but the
cold and cynical nominee for Lieutenant Governor
stood prepared. at every pointto o,erturn the cup
Of hope, and to stiae every generous aspiration Of
the people. Too selfish in his feelings to remen,-
Der that there was any other Virginia except tho
narrow domain which sent him to the Legislature
he persistently held out against every proposition
that was advanced to bind the old Common wealth
together in the bonds Of closer union, and to
start her upon the high career Of prosperity which
lay 30 iuvtingly before her.
Nosc when oil opposition is abandonei-nt,c
when the internai-improvcment system of Vir
ginia, though still nc,mrletc, isa splendid sue
cess--nor, when it is worth mans political lif,
10 adhere to the selfish policy Of former days
noe, when the advancing car of progress is crush
ing down all the illibsral preuiices that formerly
stood in the way-no~, We cay, we see Mr.. Mon
tagne slowly and reluctantly coming pin The req
Of the friends Of internal improvement! 1t vii
not do, Mr. Montague. Your conversion comes to
late. thas been brought about by the exisen
cies Of the occasion-not by the conviction ofyou
ovnjudgment. You have had to subject yoursel
TO the ''peine forte ct dure" ofexpressing what 20,
did not really feel. You have been forced tn pc
sition that your whole Legislative career show
you do mot wish to occupy. You have surrender
a your convictions Of right. if you ever had any
- the requiremsnts Of the occasion. Defeat stare
you ID ihe face ~ the opponent Of internal in,
provements-and you Immediately change from
snd pEu6sss sudden conversion.
v~----------fhes zeal.
WzarA yseEg ard ardent converts always feel
hes hsss counssrfsited 10 your case, Mr. MN agu
--and yea know It.