Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1871-01-26
Nr. Lewis McKcnzie's Speech in the
House Representatives. OF Satur-
sInv Dist inst

vi r.
House OF Representatives. or Satur-
day. 21st inst.
Nj. Speaker, avail myself Of the present
occasion to add some remarks to those submit
ted to the House on the 18th of Dccembct last,
and to give some Of the reasons which induce
nc to great extent to cooperate with the
Republican party, of which profess to be one
of the humblest members. | do SO with
hope that some of the party to which former
" belonged may be induced to look into the
matter and consider whether it is not for the
best interest of Virginia, and all the Southern
States, that we should be on friendly terms
with the General Government Sir, that the
Republican party is not popular with the white
population in the Southern States at the pres
ent time cannot be denied, caused by the result
of the late war Why should this be so? Is
it not time that the prejudice and ill-wlil caus-
ed by that disastrous struggle should come to
an end, and that harmony and good-feellng
should once more prevail But, sir, the fierce,
bitter, vndictive policy of her politicians of the
dominant party in pursuing all those whose
convictions have forced them into the ranks of
the Republican party is to say the least OF 1t,
a bad augury, looking to the accomplishment
of result so much to be desired,
Sir, regret the necessity which conpels me
to remind you and the House OF the we'll
known fact that to be Republican i'll Virginia.
and, indeed, in any part OF the South, with SO
large majoritity of the white population
az inst you, requires nerve and courage; ana
it is needless to endcavor to conceal the TACT
That il brings isolation and odium. Do not the
original Union men. now the Republicans of
Virginia, know that, with some few honorable
exceptions. their places of business are passed
by and preference invariably given to those
who have been engaged in behalf of the lost
cause :" and if they cannot be found, bomb
proof" are natronized in their stead III prefer
cnce to Union men? DO We not see the same
feeling manifested in our churches? But
where fayors arc wanted and the Union men
are under no obligations, Il different rule pre-
walls Nevertheless all this (which those who
did not live in the South during the war cam
not comprehend and do not believe even when
told is true. But, sir. I am fully convinced
that the principles of the Republican party
should prevail, because it is the party OF pro-
gress. and is not embarrassed by 4 fear of in.
terfering with the exploded idea Ola strict
construction of the Federal Constitution.
Mr.. Speaker, with the downfall OF slavery III
the South it was fondly to be hoped that much
of the party feeling which often cngenderedi
personal antipathy would only be remembered
as one of the historical events of the past.
And. sir, if my own State and the South eN-
pect to keep pace with their sister States they;
will have to abandon many of their old ideas OF
State rights, and give their support to this
party OF progress.
Sir, that principle of the old Wing party; Il
liberal system of internal improvements by the
General Government. has been adopted and
carried out to Il great extent by the Kepubllcan
party That great enterprise the paclfc rail-
road. almost betting the continent from east
to west, bringing us within easy range, OF our
extreme western frontier and Of the markets OF
China and Japan, Was met i'll Its conception to
great extent by the opponents OF the Kepub-
lican party and if this opposition could have
availcd itself of the cooperation of Its former
friends and allies from Virginia and the South
ern States, we should have had no Union aud
Central Pacific railroads, and the capital mov-
ers perhaps would have been much stronger
than they are at the present time. And as to
the complaints against the Republican party of
souandering the public lands, do not sec how
this can be if they get double price for each al
ternate section, and thereby develop the hid
den resources of the country, which otherwise
would perhaps lay dormant for centuries.
Sir, in regard to the question OF duties on
imports, there seems to be really no great dit
ference of opinion between the two parties in
this House. We saw this particularly cxen-
plifed at the last session. In States producing
articles interferred with by reduction Of the
tariff a great anxiety was manifested and OK
hibited to keep up the duties 1t did not make
much difference whether Democrats or Repub-
licans. they were anxious to protect their own
State interests; but, before the people, some OF
them were out and out free traders. Who Is
so young in this House that he cannot remem-
Der the Polk and Dallas campaign? The ques-
ton, in my opinion, is of easy solution. The
payment of Il small portion OF the public debt
annually, and the interest on the public debt, and
the payment of the pension roll the Army and
Navy, and the civil list, wlllrequlrc an amount
of means sufficient for all the protection needed
for the industry of the country. There need
not, therefore, be much quarrel about the tariff
on the part of eitherparty.
Mr. Speaker, the South will never DC able. III
my Judgment, to compete successfully with the
North in manufacturing to any great extent. al
though she will and ought to do something III
that way to keep down the heavy balances Year
ly against her for machinery and all kinds OF
agricultural implements. She ought to build
all the locomotives and cars required for her
railroads; but the immense capital now embarked
Ill Vic INUl vi hiu''
give them the control of the market. We are
not so sharp, do not watch the Patent Office 50
close, do not keep such close run upon the
improvements in Europe and adopt them 50
readily as they do in the North. There may be
change, however, in another generation.
With the finest climate in the world, rivers and
harbors unsurpassed our mountains filled with
an inexhaustible supply Of coal and minerals OF
al dissertations all they require IS develop
ment, which will surely come if our people will
but cultivate kindly relations with our sister
States. Let them do so, and thereby invite set
tiers and capitalists from the northern and east
ern States to come among Us and occupy our
fertile land and enjoy our magnificent climate.
Mr. Speaker; there has been some difference
of opinion in regard to the reconstruction policy
of the Government Sir this was the first re-
bellion, and it is to be hoped twill be the last
Therefore, great allowance oughtto be made for
many things done thought TO be outside of the
Constitution. That instrument never contem-
plated a dissolution of the Union except by con
sent of all the States in convention 1t was