Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1861-01-04

y ~
ourselves and our State, and see that we
slumber not while treason is plotting.
State Conventions.
The eastern Virginia papers are very in
dignant at the idea of the subject of taxa
ton being considered by the State Conven-
ton, should one be called, and in lugubri-
GUS strains appeal to the patriotism of the
West to discard every consideration that
might possibly produce division in the
State, assuring us that s.justice" will be me-
ted out to US after our national difficulties
are settled. For one, we have not antici-
pated any serious division OF sentiment on
the subject certainly not enough to encour-
age the idea that there will not be harmony
in resisting Black Republican encroach-
n.ents. But as the Convention is to be held,
We can see no good reason why the basis Of
taxation should not be reconstructed. If
the East believes, as does the West. that
slaves are property, and desires to do Jus
tice" Gas we do not question she does ) to
! the West, then an amendatory clause to the
Constitution could be reported in very
short time, and the matter settled at once,
without the necessity and expense Of calling
another convention in few years. If she
does not mean to do justice, but look upon
the people Of the Valley and Trans-Allegha-
nv as inferior, the sooner it is known the
better. In that event, we shall take JUS
tice.
We repeat that there is not the least ne
cessity for any excitement or conflicting feel
ing on this subject. 1t is mere question
of justice and equality, which we DO not be-
lieve will be made source of complaint by
the East We do not understand the mo-
tive of the eastern editors to whom we refer
in denouncing as ''traitorous" the sugges-
ton that the Convention should adjust this
question. That kind Of logic is not suita-
Bile for the digestion Of grown men. For
one, we cannot be frightened from what we
believe to be right in principle and right in
policy, by buster and bravado. We SUBJ
scribe to that system Of philosophy which
dares to face and oppose wrong, we care not
what may be its character. 1t is nothing
more than right that the West should be
fairly represented and protected in the. fun
damental law of the State, and if there
should any ill-feeling grow cut of reason
IL, .u,;n L.,
originate with those who refuse it.
One of our eastern contemporaries was in
felicitous enough to allude to the expendi-
lures, now being made on public improve
ments in the West, as an evidence Of the
kindly feeling of his section. We have
never doubted it, and heuce we have had nc
apprehcnsions as to the result of PROPOSE
ton to change the basis of taxation. Il
would have been we'll enough, howe yer, had
that paper, before making that allusion tc
have remembered that for year and years
the West was taxed to build net work oil
railway throughout the East, without one
particle of benefit accruing to us from them,
and that every dollar that is now expended
in the prosecution Of our public works, must
enure more to the pecuuiary profit Of the
cities of the State than any other portion OF
equal population. Especially should this al
lusion-the evidence Of something lurking
beneath-not have come from the city Of
Alexandria.
Disclaiming as entirely foreign to our
purpose or desire, any thought of making a
sug gestion to distract and divide public SEN
timent on the grave question of the position
Virginia should take in the present emer-
geucy, we must renew the expression Of our
belief, that it will be the duty of the Con
vention to take up the matter of taxation,
and give it an enlig htened and impartial
consideration. We yield to no one IN our
devotion to Virginia aud her rights, and
when it comes to the cork of defending her
honor, we have no doubt we will be as close
to the burning Of powder, as those who
manifest such extreme sensibility on the sub
ject, now that the danger is afar Off, We
do not think, however, that it implies com
promise of our courage or patriotism to urge
the necessity of administering justice to
every section of the State. Surely, if there
were any danger of an enlargement between
the two sections, (while there is none) no
better policy could be pursued to prevent It,
than by removing the restriction from the
poor mans property, and placing him upon
an equal footing with the rich man.