The Abingdon Virginian. [volume] (Abingdon [Va.]) 1849-1883, 1864-03-04
From the Petersburg Express.
State Faxes.

1t will be very gratifying to the people of
tbs Commonwealth, to learn that the Trea.
sury is in such a 6ourisliing condition as to
render the levy Of a tax this year nnnecessa-
ry. On Saturday last a bill was brought in
The House Of Delegates to this effect, which
was read first time and ordered to a second
reading. In the brief discussion which follow
ed its presentation we are told that the propo-
sition embodied in the bill was agreed upon
in an informal Joint meeting Of the Finance
| Committees Of beth Houses, as a proper one
under existing circumstances, and the indica-
tions are that it will meet the unanimous con-
cnrrence nf said Houses. We further learn
from the discussion that there is now sur
plus in the Treasury Of 81 SOS 900, which
will not be materially reduced during the en-
suing fiscal year. Regard Is to be had, too,
for the heavy pressure upon the people of the
Confederate tax, which they will cheerfnlly
pay, in order to strengthen the government
for the war. Taking these things into con-
sideration, the Finance Committee did not
think itpropers or necessary levy general
tax this year. Such were the explanations
given by the Chairman Of that Committee
when lie reported the bill to the House, and
they will doubtless lead to It's passage.
But not only will the people have cause to
be gratiied by the important measure Of re-
lief to them when it is so much needed. but it
will be proud reflection to them that amidst
the distresses and horrors Of a war which is
unexan,pled in the atrocities which have char
acterized it en- the part Of the eneniy--a war
which has deselatsd large districts If the
State and temporarily deprived it Of the con-
tribntions towards its support Of i large num-
her Of counties which have traitorQusly or
ganized u spurious government under Lin
coins protection--,the finances of. the Old
Commonwealth have. nevertheless, been so
skilifully and successfully managed - to pre-
sent the remarkable spectacle Of an overflow
ing treasury at time when governments are
always hardest pushed for the want Of funds
to meet extraordinary expenditures. Per.
haps not another State, South or North, pre-
sents the same spectacle certainly not one
in Yankeedom where the people. with ell
their ostensible prosperity, are just beginning
to experience the luxury Of high and increas
ed taxation fer the support OF this vile war
into which they have rushed like demons
This exemption from taxaticn in Virginia
will have its effect upon the Northern mind,
for it will dissipate the idea 80 prevalent the
other side Of the Ohio and Potomac that every
community the South is well nigh at their
last gasp for the waitof the means of sustain
ing the war and from the exhaustion produced
by tie infamous devastations, heavy losses Of
property, and the destruction of commerce
which they have suffered from the invasion
Of their territory and blockade Of their coast.
TIE Yankees have been and still are gloating
with fendish satisfaction upon the scenes Of
misery, inhumanity and brutality which they
have been and are still enacting upon our
soil, yainly no less. than diabolically calcu-
latng that in this way they will soon crush
out rebel resistance, and drag Us down to =
bondage infinitely more Calling and dsgrad-
/ ing than has ever yet befallen . people since
the world began.
They will SEQ with no less astopishment
than dismay that, SO far from having any
such effect upon the ..insurreetionary States. !"
their invasion, after nearly three yesrs cen
tinnarice, finds them not only more defiant
than ever. but better prepared TO resist at all
points Virginia has been assailsd BY these
execrable barbarians with pechliar malignity
and energy. She has met ct their hands with
nothing but pitiless and unsparing devasta-
ton wherever their bandit Aordes have been
able To penetrate within her limits. Yet she
still stands erect in all her pride and dignity,
and breathes more determined spirit than
before. Far sfren being exhausted or i'm