The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-01-31
Equality of Sections.

Equality OF SeCuOnS.
There is no national justice without equal
ity of benefits between the great sections.
Poverty, prostration, and helplcssness are
poor consultations to the South for her eXclu'
sion from equal participation 10 the benefits
OF the National Government by reason OF her
own strict construction as to the constltu.
tional powers of the Federal Government.
70 persist in that construction when the
predomsnating power in the Union has not
only decided against Us, but helped them
selves to money which we said they had no
right to, is a folly iuexcusable. 1t is obstinate.
ly to impose upon ourselves serious disabil-
ities-5earing alike upon our physical and
political welfare-when the voice OF the
"nation" has decided that our const ructlon
is wrong. The time for this Is gone by long
ago.
We therefore concur very heartily in the
remark of our gallant friend OF the Winches-
ter Times that "the South must not be con-
.trued out OF her fair and full share of Gov
ernment aid to works Of internal improve
Hmest of national character, on which her
"material restoration so largely depends"
Exactly. This Is the doctrine OF equality
and Justice. The South cannot in justice to
herself surrender it now.
In reference to the most gigantic work
rhlt now engages the national attention, Or Is
likely ever TO engage II, the aid OF the nation
is due 10 it not only in consideration OF fair
ness to the southern section, but 1t Is due TO
that work because it promises beyond doubt
more advantage to the whole union than any
other route between the oceans whose pro"
lection is al all probable. 1t would be, there
fore, equally unwise and uppatriouc 10 OPP
pose it whether with regard to the South or
the Union.
Therefore we must not be "con5trued j"
ont OF this Government aid, which has been
G, Literally bestowed upon less meritorlous
and less important projects.
We. al,,, TOO often have to deplore the
close re.t mblance the South bears to Ireland
in Ter discords, and in those miserable rival
ri,S. Thcse often show that ambition, the
ipsLiia,ion of noble spirit, is sadly warped
bv a less generous impulse to ergender rival
ries that bring failure upon measures that
are frsught Nth the greatest public benehl.
On the subject of the Southern Pacific road
we find a certain degree Of discord. The
signs are not many nor strong, but they dis
play more prejudice than judgment.
What wisdom is there in declaring now
that the Government must cease aiding great
national lines? How is that now advisable
for the South: Shall southern man repu-
date that manner Of help for really the
greatest Of all national railway lines, and
this ! line that lies in the South: There
never should be time to discontinue what
is censGrld under the unpopular name OF
subsidy" until the South has received that
fair recognition and equality of favor from
the bands of the National Government. Any
sentiment that goes towards frustrating This
exact justice-this majestic act OF natlonal
Justice to The aation itself u we'll as lis parts
is not southern sentiment, nor is 1t ma.
tonal sentiment. 1t is Il sentiment that
merits general condemnation as narrow, pre-
JUDGED, unwise, and unpatriotic.
Let the South not be construed" out OF
her equal claim, and let not the Federal
Government consent to impair the symmetrl-
cal growth and power Of the Union by for
warding purposes or views alien to patriotic
impulses and 10 the best interests of COM
'merce and the people in their independence
and majesty,