The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-09-21
The Federal Governrnent--Ihe
States-Virginia.

General Government is forclbly exhloheo
in the progress of national appropriations
70 internal improvements. When JEFFEF-
son came into power, in the beginning OF
the present century, the State Rights doc-
trinc became the rule of construction OF
the powers of the Government. The aoie
men who belonged to that party over
whelmed opposition-their theory became
orthodox. and the Federal Government was
conducted upon the scale of simplicity ana
economy suited to the then infant age OF
the republic. its sparse population, ana
limited resources. The advocates OF strict
construction, favored by these clrcum-
stances. dcludcd themselves into the belle1
in the duration of their theory, which was
to find an early death from the increased
population. resources, power, ana absolute
necessity, Of the Government.
After the second war with Great Britain
the General Government ventured upon
holder attempt at improvement upon It's
idea that it was " necessary" Tor the CON-
mon defence and general welfare. war
has always strengthened the National 'o-
vcrnment and expanded its schemes Tor IN
tcrnal improvement. The National leGls-
lation was complicated by this subject
from 1920 down to the period of the war.
The Government slowly advanced, yet
steadily increased the magnitude OF its
plans and appropriations. General JACK
son removed obstacles in the way somewhat
by establishing MS q rule Of construction,
that the internal improvement question be
restricted to national objects, rivers of ma
tional character, and harbors yielding
revenue. This extended the privilege
much beyond the more strict construction
previously enforced, but did not suffice. Ii
was fanked by the device of establishing
ssports of cntry'' az towns in the interior,
some even in Illinois, upon the tributaries
TO the Mississippi!
The march of the Government has been
as regular as the increase of population
and resources of the nation. 1t was once
denied the right to make n national dirt
turnpike and to put tol'-gatcs uron it. Now
it builds n railroad to the Pacific, and ap-
propriatcs millions to internal improve
mcnt where it formerly did not give tens of
thousands.
The necessities of the Government and
the nation arc changed, and the theories Of
"strct constructions" the economy and
simplicity of early days, will not suit these
times. The laws and the customs of n
nation must change and be accommodated
to the public necessity, or what may be so
considered.
1t is now a settled question that the Gov
crnmcnt has right to make whatever i'm
provcmcnt it may deem important for pub
lie defence or for the general welfare.
Such being the case, il has new obligations
cntailed upon 1.-THE obligation Of impair
TALLY, and the obligation so to disbursc its
means and dispose its cares as to promote
the general prosperity. It's means should
not be partially bestowed for that would
be not only unjust, but it would be injurious
to the nation, tending to weaken its strength
by serious inequalities. It would appear
with partial paralysis of limb or side,
seriously impairing its general activity and
yigor.
The means of the nation should be fairly
diflused, that the whole body-politic should
bc imbucd with activity, and that discon-
4 \ pln,,1l
be engendercd.
Virginia, the theatre of all others the best
adapted to the internal improvement policy
of the Federal Government, has received less
from the Government for that purpose than
any of the States. She held to the faith
of strict construction-would not ask any
thing at the hands of the Government, and
would not receive anything from that
source. When the Government had paid
the national debt, and large surplus in
the Treasury was divided amongst the
States, Virginia alone refused her share,
amounting TO some $4,000. The Govern
ment succeeded in injecting 5000 into
James river forbuoys and lights but that's
all that ever could be gotten into the
State.
But change has come over Virginia,
and she will now "accept the situation -
and whatever il may bring with it for the
purposes of improvement. No State in the
Union has higher claims, none presents
lines of improvement more clearly national,
and none which so urgently press them
selves upon the consideration of the Govern
ment.
Virginia occupies the middle ground-thc
centre of Federal operations and Of geo.
graphical force. She offers the line of low
est depression between the Atlantic and the
grand Mississippi Valley, the granary of
the nation. She offers the middle line of
temperature most favorable to the health
and energy of man-where frosts do not in
terrupt commerce nor malaria paralyze hui
man energy, and where outdoor labor is
never suspended. Her genial climate, her
stimulating airs, her scenery and natural
wealth, inspire alike the practical and poet
ical impulses, and combine to give to the
human character the noblest attributes,
whether in respect to its energies and en-
terprises or the refnements of gentleness,
dignity, and frmness. 1t is to the climate
and the natural characteristics Of Virginia
that are due the peculiarities of her people.
Those almost adorable features will never
lose their influence. The people that live in
Virginia must ever be distinguished for the
ranius that Ia ber o4fsnripo