The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-10-30

and other distinguished gentleman of the
same ilk, would not take an appropriation
from Congress to deepen the channel of the
James river. 1t was not reconciable
with the resolutions of " 1913. y And time
after time the Democrats Of the Virginia
Legislature refused, with perfect unanimity,
to receive s37 900 of the land fund, which
lay for many years in the national treasury
to the credit of the State, and thus it con-
tinued TO lie until the rebellion inaugurated
the Wheeling government, which, with
more good sense, applied for and received
the deposit.
And so with the Democracy generally.
As party, it will instantly fall back upon
its old cherished doctrines of States-Rights
and strict construction. The whole course
of the Democratic press in Virginia, be-
tween the dates of Lees surrender and the
admission Of the State, forebodes this.
The Democracy were recently defeated
in California because it planted itself in OPP
position to further appropriations of public
lands or other subsidies to internal improve
ment corporations. And all the. recent
platforms of the Democratic party in the
several States pledge that party to a like
opposition. Special stress is laid on this
point in their party creed, and it is so in
Congress. Then all the signs indicate, that
if the Democracy be restored to rule, it
will upset the beneicent system of Federal
aid to State improvements, which has
crossed and recrosscd our great Western
domain with railroads, until ''all its waste
places are made glad,o and advanced almost
incredibly the national power and the cause
of civilization.
Then the system will have been over
thrown before Virginia can realize any of
its benefits, though she, with unprecedented
munlicence, voluntarily contributed en-
pires of territory to the vast land fund,
which has so diffused prosperity, wealth
and power among her more fortunate sis
tiers.
Can we afford to give up this system-a
wise and noble oneat this time, when her
great water line, her great hope of a proud
recuperation, lies contessedly an abortion,
and must ever so remain without the help
ing hand of Congress? lf
As sure as the Democracy are reinstated
in power, SO sure will all aid to State inn
provements cease. The good old basis of
nelp will have been gone, and direct appro-
prations be again resorted to. A system
which being traught with direct taxation
and direct burdens on the tax payers, will
alarm the Lawmakers, and cut off all State
improvements, however national from Fed
eral assistance. N
Let every citizen, therefore, who desires
the completion of our great water-line, take
good care how he helps to restore the stiff
nccked and impractical democracy to pow
er. Nomore important issue belongs to the
approaching contest.
1t should be borne in mind, too, that the
Southern Pacific railroad, so transcendently
important to the South, is not yet fully
provided for by Congress. 1t is not yet
fully on the same favored footing with the
other Pacific railroads. ut is not yet out
Of the woods" May not this inaugurated
Democracy take back the partial aid thus
far proflered the great Southern transcen-
dental thoroughfare, and by change OF
policy and rulers defeat the magnificent en-
terprise altogether
To the Republican party we are indebted
chiefly for the wise craftsmanship that has
made the public domain prominently tri-
butary to the welfare Of the whole nation,
and so marvellously advanced its power and
grandeur. Let us cling to our tried friends,
and stand by them by electing men to the
Legislature who will foreshadow our views
on this and other great cognate questions.
HAMILTON.