The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1875-04-29

is blessing to the sectio, in which it operates.
OF course they have to regulate their tariffs 20
meet their expenses and accumulate a surplus
for unforeseen contingencies. The people do
not think, when they are asked to pay q lea-
sonabse tariff rate for the transportation of
farm products, that they are making thousands
OF bushels of wheat and corn where before the
advent Of railroads they were unable to ii!.d
market for any They forget that their lands
have advanced from one and two dollars per
acre to $40 and S50-that their stock is trans
ported to market in one-twentieth part OF the
time occupied before the advent Of the ''mo-
nopolies, and that they can always calculate
the probable return to be received. from the
fact OF p edy transit to the stock yards, SO that
they can avail OF the highest prices riding. Ii
ls i'll this respect that we think the farming in
terests OF the west have committed great
blunder by making war upon the railroads..
They are fighting their best friends, and the
only agencies by which they haye been enabled
to grow into power sufficient to MAKE them.
selves formidable. This will correct itself,
however, in the course of time. The farming
are paralyzing themselves in doing SO, and SELF
preservation will compel recognition of the
rights OF ''monopolies,' in order that they may
enlarge the avenues to market for the people.
| The Richmond Enquirer of the 10Th, makes
this sweeping assertion:
"We doubt if there is even a small minority
OF the people of this section who would wish to
| disturb any OF the recent amendments to the
Constitution, though they had the power to
repeal them all tomorrow. There need be no
further apprehension OIL that score i'll the North,
nor on any other question connected with the
late war. Every issue is now dead to u.s. and
we would not revive single one if we could
SO, dismiss your fea:s, if you have any OH that
ground, Cor they are bascless and idlc.''
| In the face of this broad assertion of the
Enquirer we throw the fact that the commit
| tee on Constitutional amendments have recon-
mended and the recent legislature Of Virginia
adopted, a bill to strike from the Bill OF Rights
all recognition OF the results of the war, and
to place the constitution OF the State as it was,
substantially, before the ordinance of session
was passed in 1861. The law-making power Of
[ the State has distinctly and emphatically repu-
i dated the idea Of national supremacy as estab-
lished by the appeal to arms, and has left it an
open question, so far as that body was concern
ed, whether Virginia will again enact an ordi-
nance of similar import. What object could
have been in view, if the statement OF the En-
qnirer be correct? Il it was the purpose of the
party, who was represented by the last legisla-
ture, to abide by the results of the war, why
pass an act locking. to the espunging Of the
clauses recognizing that fact? They simply de-
clare the perpetuity of the Union, assert national
authority,and deny the doctrine Of State Sover-
eighty to the extent thatit comprehends seces
sion. If this sentiment is honestly entertained
and there is no disposition to disturb the adjust
nlents of re- construction-why tear the con
stitution to pieces, in order to eliminate tlls
very clauses that recognize this truth?