Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1872-03-22
Friday Morning, March ~, 1872.

Friday Morning, March %, 1872.
We have heretofore called attention to
the bill offered in Congress by Judge Jno.
I. Harris, representative from this District,
asking az appropriation Of Fifty Million
acres Of the public lands to Virginia, to re-
imburse her for the loss of territory by the
wrestling of West Virginia from her, in VIC
lation of all law and right. This is not o.
ly a bill of great Importance to each and
every citizen of the State, of no matter what
political party, as all are taxpayers, but is
based upon the purest equity.
After the formation of the Union, when
Virginia was plethoric in lands, she, in a
spirit of magnanimity, donated to the Gen
eral Government the immense domain in
cluded within the limits Of Kentucky and
the then North Western Territories, for the
common benefit. Out of this immense do
nation have been created the populous States
of Ohio, Indiana and Illinois. These States
have paid an immense revenue into the
Treasury, and continue to pay it. The land
thus donated, if sold at the rate charged by
the United States. would have paid ten times
the debt that Virginia now owes. The
United States derived all the receipts Of these
sales, and besides these wealthy States, Gre
ated out of Virginia's magnificent donation.
Aa-o added no little to the prosperity and
glory of the Union
Since then Virginia has been denuded of
her real and personal property. By the
most unwarrantable course, the one-third of
her territory was torn from her side to Gre
ate the State Of West Virginia, and by
equally unwarrantable authority M illions of
dollars worth Of her personal property were
taken from her without a consideration, and
her most valuable productions taxed higher
thar those Of any other State in the Union
Yet she has acquiesced and has gone on in
her course in that digni6ed way SO eminent
ly characteristic Of her, and, even in her pow
erty of means, brought on her by others, is
to-day seeking, as best she may, to sustain
her credit and pay her just obligations.
The General Government aided in the
disruption of her territory and by the edict
of its Executive, at a blow. destroyed nine
tsnths of her personal property. Is it then
more than equity demands. that the Gener-
al Government, the recipient Of Virginia's
JONATHAN of public land, the disrupter Of her
territory and the destroyer Of her property,
should come to her rescue, and by re-dona-
ting so, 900, 900 acres Of the public land
VIRTUALLY received from Virginia. to her,
reimburse her in part for her losses at its
hands ? Millions and Millions of acres of
this land have been donated to mere organ
izations of men, who had no claim whatever
upon it, and even the proceeds Of the sale
of public lands, some years since, were dis
tributed among the States. Congress has
offered by Judge Harris /; Virginia has 9
claim which can not be disputed (Which viii
not establish a precedent for similar actor
sousGas ether States and it would be sim
ply an act of justice and equity.
This Bill offered BY Judge Harris has
met with the unanimous approval of the cit
liens Of this State, white and black, Conser
vative and Republican. It is of equal i'm
portance and will be a great relief to all,
and as a no party measure and an act Of
sheer Justice should commend itself to the
right-thinking members of Congress, aud We
trust that Judge Harris may be successful
in getting this most just and equitable Bill
through that body,
AT any rate, whether successful or not,
Judge Harris deserves the plaudits of our
people for his action in this matter, and we
most cheerfully add our hearty commentator
Of his thoughtfulness for the relief of the
burdens of his fellow-citizens of the Ola
Dominion.
The effect of the Cincinnati Convention
Of Liberal Republicans is exciting our ex-
changes, and they are looking out" We
think they can scarcely see anything
get. TGO this Convention endorses the
nomination of the Labor Convention, and
the Democratic Convention does the same,
why, che nominee of the Radicals at Phila-
delphia stands no chance. gbether it be
Grant or any other man. But Vthey don't.
and each put up a candidate, what then 3
We prefer to prophesy after these Conven.
tions meet and act. We think it is safer.
Judge Wood Bouldin, of Petersburg, has
been elected to the position Of Judge Of the
Supreme Court of Appeals of Va, to fill
the vacancy eceasioned by the resignation
Of Judge Joynes. Judge Bouldin is an
able lawyer, a gentleman of great purity Of
character. and admirably suited to the posi-
tion to which he has been chosen.
The Senate has passed the bill instructing
the Treasurer not to receive West Va. Ger
tifcates on deposit for foreign Insurance
Companies, which declares chat Virginia is
not responsible for that part of the debt rep
resented by West Va. certificates. This
bill is the same passed by the House, save
a mere verbal amendment.