West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1881-03-12

iure. And this strength and this power is
the result of that fame Of government
which the circumstances Of the times and
the wisdom Of our progenitors committed
10 posiority.
IL was government well defined in its
powers, limited 10 the exercise of these
powers, with the necessary ilexibilfiy for
Including the whole continent on the
same reciprocal terms which belonged TO
the original States constituting the Gen
eral Government, aud making provision
for new States. The history of the gov
eminent, has shown that it is strong
enough TO take care OF itself against ell
internal dissentisR and division.
This is the great Republic embodied
in the Constitution Of the United States.
Properly understood every State Constitu-
lion as part of that Constitution
Whatever gives undue power snd influ-
ence to the general government detracts
just so much from what is due and Just TO
the States, as any unlawful assumption Of
power by the States would affect the true
legitimate power Of the general govern
neDt.
OBEDIENCE TO THR CONSTITUTION.
II is therefore of the highest necessity
to the people that the Constitution, SO
seen in it's whole integrity as providing
tor these two great classes of powers,
should be preserved. There is no imme-
lat /
chieftain or armed power OF any kind
can at once, by an arbitrary movement,
concentrate these powers and wipe the
States out of existence, or materially
effect their functions, or that it is posi-
sble to dsmemOer the States and dis
solve the sisterhood of republics. What
cannot be done at once by violence or
coup de main, history teaches US may be
done by pernicious and gradual en-.
croachmcnt
1t is in this last aspect of principles
and measures that all tho parties known
to the history OF the country have had
their origin and thor continuance.
In our politics there has been
a continual blending of princ!-
Piles and measures, involving more
or less consideration Of questions, the
eject Of which, decided one way, would
be to increase the powers Of the general
government, and of so weakening the
rights and liberties of the people and
decided another way, would simply
leave the people 10 seek Etheir own in .
terests and pursue their. own enterprises
on the broad platform of political equal
ity and general law 1t is, therefore.
not a matter of surprise that the intelli-
gent majority Of which l have spoken
should be composed Of the best elements
OF those other parties, who have felt
themselves compelled TO stand by the
Constitution as it is, by the States as in
tegral parts OF that Constitution, and by
the liberties OF the people, which can
only survive as these others survive.
NRoEsslTY OF RAILROADS.
Nations ss known to us are only pros-
porous IN the large accumuAlions OF in
diViduM wealth. Railroads arc the
great ciYiliziug agcncies Of this age
Of the worl!. AS a nation we hsye
more than any O'her netiou; ana rs a
safe We would be greatly Le Fitted by
more OF them. They develop all the
industrial pursuits of the people, open
up unbroKen forests, eXcsvate the
mountCi9s for their minerals.
build immense establishments. and
keep the world busy. AS re-
suit cur manufacturing system, in
proportion to our population, is the
largest ard most furnishing in the
world our agricultural interests cover a
larger area of successful cultivation than
any other space belonging to one people
on the globe. Along with these we
have a corresponding increase of that
population whose sole or main capital
is their daily labor. No other people
OF the world have the same amount of
population, with the same amount of
intelligence and skill, and work of brain
and hand so devoted to all the pursuits
of life. Thanks to our free government
and our system Of common schools. /,
is for the welfare Of all these people
that our government is in existence.
and to perpetuate that form of govern
ment which has.produced all these re-
suits in so short period of history, and
conferred these blessings on such num-
bers it is vastly important that our
principles should BIO clearly stated, our
measures well mstured by looking
to all interests, and that our
energies be fairly and fully
directed, and above oil that
the government Of which these are
the legitimate fruits should be preserved
IN that form and spirit which has pro
duced such fruits.
TAXES SHOULD BR LIGHT.
Believing that these views are charac.
ieriGtic Of the majority Of the people Of
West Virginia, am gratiflsd liz having
been called to hold the most prominent
official position as the State's representa-
tive. / speak for those who have 10
capital but their labor. 1 speak for the
capitalists who employ their means 70
give occupation ana support 70 those
men. j speak for that great class of our
farmer population who must unite their
labor and their moderate capital for the
support Of their families, and in the pro
i. ID.