The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-07-22

We called attention last week to what
we consider the great defect in our political
life in Virginia, to wit : the subordinate
position of the township. The township
is the measure and expression of local self
government as contrasted with centralized
authority. 1t is also the measure of true
civilization. 1t is only in the township that
the people can learn practically to govern
themselves. There the great truths of
political and social science are brought
close to them. They, are no longer study
ing abstract principles. They are called
upon to consider as practical men how to
remedy certain concrete evils, and to adopt
expedients by which to realize certain
advantages which require associated
effort. Cooperation is the first step, and
it will be the highest attainment of civili-
cation.
The township is the school of statesmen.
As at military school all the grand as well
as minor tactics are taught to the COM
pany, so in the local government of the
neighborhood all great questions arise. and
the principles are made clear by which states
and nations must be governed.
The building Of roads, maintenance of
schools, the preservation of order, and the
suppression Of crime--all these involve
questions which must be grasped and
solved with practical sense and equitable
decisions, to make life comfortable and safe
in every neighborhood. Men may be dull
students of books. They may go to sleep
over problems in finance and social science
but they know the difference between a good
road and a bad one, and this knowledge be-
comes the guide of action. And so from
the study of the facts of human society in o
neghborhood the mind rises naturally tc
the comprehension. of principles applicable
alike to the neighborhood and to the ma
ton. Without the township there is nc
healthful source for the political life of the
nation. The state is political cripple that
has not its strongest vitality in its town
ships.
The state is justly jealous of the nation
The township. must watch both with UNI
ceasing vigilance. Vaginia is conspicu-
Gus example of q state which cries out
continually against Capitalization as prac.
ticed by the nation, while she commits the
same wrong, in its most aggravated form
against the townships. She is central.
lied despotism Of the most dangerous
character. She claims the right to inter.
fere in matters purely personal and local
She wastes her resources and degrades hel
legislation by dwelling local and private
bills, the prolific source of fostering corrup-
ton in the body polite. Revering the name
Of Jefferson, she ignores the sublime truths
which he taught, and tramples under foot
the grand democracy which he inculcated
Political reform begins in the township
said Jefferson. "The state is sovereign ant
all must bow to her authority" say the
blind worshippers who bow the knee to
a divinity they know not.
The first great step for the resurrection
of the dead greatness of this noble state. is
10 lit the township to Its true place in the
hearts of the people to teach them to re.
spect and guard it as the very Ark of tht
Covenant of Liberty. Not far away from
this will be found that needed conviction
that the political forms exist to exalt an,
ennoble man. The farther we get ava,
from men the less consequential are they
In ba touuncbisl H., -
of reconstruction to do. We care nothin
for its precise mode. The principle alon
concerns us, as it does most closely ever,
citizen. We demand of all the partie
that they give us the most perfect town
ship organization that they return to tn
Jeflersonian doctrine Of local selfgovern
ment, and make it first and foremost i
their political creeds.