The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1866-06-04
MONDAY EVENING, JUNE 4, 1866.
Mr.. Hardy and His Constituents.

energy as our text, and urged upon all classes
of the community the importance of action at
this crisis in our history. Observing this neces-
sity, it is most gratifying to see the evidences,
which are daily presenting themselves, of ac-
tivity among the people, and we trust that
the energy now displayed will not be spas
modic. The various efforts now on foot, look
ing to mutual improvement if pushed for
ward with continuous vigor, will result in
substantial advantages to us; but we must all
bear in mind that it is the steady trade breeze
which impels the ship, and not the squall,
though it be attended with thunder, and may
leave foaming wake behind the vessel while
1t lasts. We cannot attach too much impor-
lance to this idea of continuity of exertion;
and the vigor with which our people are adj
dressing themselves to questions of municipal
Importance, has only to be digested into an
organized shape to become great power in
advancing the interests of Norfolk; and "our
common harbor," which was designed by ma
ture as the mirror for the commercial marine
of the world, may at last discharge this func-
ton. The excitement In the public mind
looked at first to questions connected with our
city government; but gradually charging the
field of observation, it now includes an exam
ination into the effect of the legislation of last
winter upon this region-especially on Nor
folk Taking this direction, there is no effort
on the part of the public to conceal the dis
satisfaction felt at the course pursued by the
present delegate, Mr. HARDY, who can easily
assure himself of the accuracy of this state
ment by inquiring of his constituents. This
feeling is natural The time has come when
if Virginia is ever to achieve anything, her
legislation must be shaped with view to the
development of commercial and manufacture
ing interests, and these should not be sacrificed
to those of agriculture. We wish on this
point to be explicitly understood, and beg our
readers to credit us with cordial anxiety to
cannot comprehend how it is that the tender
guardianship exercised over agriculture should
involve discrimination against commerce
and manufactures. For example, the opposi-
ton to the increased rate of interest was
based on the assumption that the farmers
could not be trusted to borrow money at
higher price than six per cent, lest their inn
providence should involve the alienation of
their estates. Now, if this was SO, which we
by no means grant, it would still have to be
shown that the alienation of estates would
pass them into the hands of non-producers,
before the argument would be of any value.
For, the protection given to the landed inter
est, can only be claimed for it on the ground
of its productive value in the State .
Under these circumstances when Mr.. HAIR
DY, representing, as he does, commercial
community struggling to rebuild its shattered
fortunes, and seeking to attract capital as the
means; when, we say, Mr.. HARDY went over
to the support Of the theory that the farming
interest could not be trusted with the man
agement ofmoney at per cent, then he for
got his own constituents, and in their judg-
ment inflicted a serious blow on the CONNER
cial interests of Norfolk. And, we repeat,
until it can be shown that 8 per cent. interest
would not only ALLEVIATE estates, but render
them unproductive, he must stand convicted
in the public mind of the antagonism to his
constituency with which he is charged. Nor
is this all. Virginia has for years been look
ing to the time when a large trade would
10 Al !
borders. She built up costly lines of improve
ment to secure this; and afteEathe folly of
her grant to the Baltimore and Ohio Rail-
way, her constant care was to avoid being
made mere tributary to Maryland.
In short, it was our true policy to foster
lines running East and West, and to discoun-
tenance the checquer-board system which
would intersect these lines and direct the
trade towards Baltimore. Every road which
crosses the lines running East and West, will
be ligature tied on the arteries of Norfolk.
Such being the theory of our people, they
had right to expect Mr.. HARDY to co-ope-
rate in opposing the famous Valley line, which
is avowedly in the interests of Baltimore. 1t
is upon these two votes that our delegate is
now arraigned, and while we do not for one
moment impugn his motives, we are at loss
to comprehend his logic.
His responsibility, however, is not to the
press, but to his constituents, and very brief
inquiry among hem will leave him no room
to doubt the course which he should pursue
under the circumstances To gentleman of
his personal dignity, we need not suggest the
course it becomes him to pursue, and his own
sensibilities will enable him to decide upon