The Rutland weekly globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1873-08-15
VIRGINIA CONSERVATIVES AND
INTERNAL ENTS.


constitution.
VIRGINIA CONSERVATIVES AND
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS.
The conservative party" of Virginia is
composed, mainly, of old democrats. Vir-
ginia was the home of those who were |
called, in other days, ''strict construction
lists" of the constitution, and the democratic |
party of that state was the embodiment |
and representative of these 'strict con-
structionists From them, the old demo-
cratic party of the country took its ideas |
upon this subject, and used the language |
of Virginia democratic resolutions with |
which to declare their principles in refer
cncc to the powers granted to- or withheld,
from the general government. Let us see
what is their record upon the subject of |
internal improvements. The democratic |
national convention, which assembled in
Baltimore in 1910, and nominated Martin
Van Buren, for reelection as President of
the United States 90 no further back
resolved upon this subject. The resolution
was almost an exact Reproduction of the
repeated, unanimous resolves of the Vir-
gnia democrats upon the same subject,
and was adopted by an unanimous vote of
the representatives of the national demo-
cracy, in convention assembled. After de-
claring that the federal government was
one of limitedpowers, that the constitution
should be strictly construed, land thatlit
is inexpedient and dangerous to exercise
doubtful powers" they emphatically and
unanimously resolve, in the second 'plank
of their platform, ''that the constitution
does not confer upon the general govern
ment the power to commence and carry on
general system of internal improve
ments." This doctrine, in the same identi-
cal words, was re-affirmed in 1874, 184S,
1852 and 1856, and reiterated by both
wings of the party in 1860. In 1864, and
since that time, other issues have occupied
the attention of the country, and this
"plank" has been left out of the quadren-
nal platforms" to give place to others
declaring, in 1864, that the war was a fail
ure and for ''peace at any price," and, IN
1868 and 1879, to the announcement that
the policy of the party had been all wrong
in reference to the treatment of the rebel
lion, the abolition of slavery, universal
suffrage, civil rights, etc.
We do not propose to consider the ques-
ton of internal improvements, or the con-
stitutional right or power of the general
government to engage therein. We have
our views on the subject, and will, at the
proper time, express them. Since 1910,
there has nothing occurred to change the
principles of individuals or parties in refer
ence to the constitutional question involved
therein. So far as internal improvements
are concerned, the constitution is the same
now that it has always been. If the fede-
raj government had no power in 1910, I'M
der the constitution, to enter upon a sys-
tenn of internal improvements it has no
such power now. The constitution has not
changed, no new light has been obtained,
neither have there been any judicial decis-
ions upon the subject, since the democrats,
either in national convention or in Vir-
ginia state convention, declared the princi-
pie embraced in the resolution quoted. II
the announcement was correct as a matter
oflaw, constitutional construction or policy,
in all these years, it is equally true now.
There is no escaping this fact Bearing
this in mind, as, also, that this has been
the repeated and unanimous declaration OF
Virginia democrats as well as those of the
nation, and the further fact that the icon
servatiye party of Virginia is, in reality
the old democratic party of that state, and
that they are, beyond all question o. doubt
the moving, controlling power therein. how
shall we view the unanimous declaration
of these same democrats, or conservatives
made in convention, at Richmond, Thurs
day? The fourth resolution reads, as fol
lows: "That the interests of large sec
'tion of this Union, no less than those ot
Virginia, demand the speedy enlargement
land completion of the great James rive
land Kanawha water line that should con
meet the waters of the Ohio with those o.
''the Chesapeake, affording to the teeminI
population of the west cheap transporta
''ton OF their products to the points o.
shipment, and marts of trade in the east
1.-The completion by the government o.
'this great design by George Washington
''would be an additional bond of union be
tween the communities whose products
''and commodities would pass over the lin,
''of the great national work" If this reso
luton is true declaration of constitutions
power, then Virginia democrats, and thei
brethren throughout the country, have en-
: deavored to deceive the people heretofore
The true explanation, however, is to b.
found in selfshness, greed and desire TO
/ power Virginia would be greatly benefit
ted by the completion of this work, ant
, much more so, if it could be accomplishe,
without appreciable cost to her people.
Is, moreover, confession that they hav
} been wrong in the past, bid for votes
and the Inauguration of dangerous system
= the working out of ends which ought +
be accomplished by individual enterprise
r whereby all the frauds and corruption
. growing out of subsidies are again to b
let loose upon the country, and the EN-
= ployment of large number of contractors
workmen, etc, made necessary on the par
, of the government, increasing the powe
3 of the general government, and rendering
: If they should 30 determine to do, thei
3 control over elections almoat absolute Il