Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1845-07-18
Improvement of Virginia.


These are our wa,ch.woris and these mean
10 kscp ringing in the ears OF Virginia until our
citizens are aroused effectually from their apathy
and inerincss. Never was the tune more auspl-
cious for action. In every quarter, the necessity
Of more energetic movement rs acknowledged
and the press is speaking out in earnest tones.
But the people themselves must ac,-the rcPrcsen-
taiives of the people must feel that they are author
lied 10 take efficient measures-and that the pub
lie voice approves unhestatngy.
We are reioiced 60 see that tins suhJ1c was the
theme Of our orators on the late Anniversary of
Independence. None more appropria,c-nonc
more fruitful. In the Grafton OF ARCHIBALD CA
NY, Esq, mt Martinsburg, we find some eloquent
and appropriate remarks, which we should be
happy to give at large, but our limits forbid We
extract few of the concluding paragraphs, and
ask attention To their burning truths:
"But how can Virginia obtain high excellence in any Of
the pursuits human industry-n Agriculture, Manuiac-
lures the Mechanic Aso long a. she remains cold
and insensbe her best interests subject mat sur
passes every other in magniiude-TnE EpueAroN OF hEE
soS,i
The state OF Educ aion in Virginia is burning seal Of
dsgrace upon her brow whitening the aure she has won
by the glorious deeds o the past IL is STAIN upon her
escutcheon, which--if speedily erasod-~i become
immedicabe wound upon her lame Nitg mans con
twenty, OF entire white population, Is unnsi'uced IN
the ruj:mons Of learnings unable to read ana
write1 And yet the records OF the country publish the
damnng truth and the presses OF the world, daily herald 1t
FORTH asking with snecrs, what ia the number
OF her citizens beio the age Of twenty who are IN the
same benigh,ed condition.
Ii " maxim universally acknowledged that Govern
is good or bad proportion 10 the wisdom an VIZ
OF those who rule. Now the whole theory OF our Gov
eminent the virtue and n'cgence-noio par
tcuar portions and cldsstsbut upon the N'Iiuc ara
intelligence OF every free born citizen OF the Amencin he
public II is evident thcn tina, Education Is ind'spcnshy
necessary not only TO proper compehensions OF dutts
hut to eventiu pepetuauon OF lights II palahe mat
the freedom OF the people be preserved unless b.
general diffusion of intelligence among the masses, ncut-
ing all ranks pervadng all condti, Nor Is the general
diffusion OF observation-disclosures once So Tcgarlcd-a
Uiopian dream OF fancy; for already behold with
in borders, poPuous State of the American
Unon in which not a single male female The age
of ten years be found, who Is instructed IN tie 1di
nents OF knowledge, irh0 cannot read and lrTitc.
Alas. for thee, Vrg AHA. Alas. thou proud mother OF
state For brief moment Of political power, thou hast
cast aside the enduring elements OF eternal renown FOR
deahleSs page hs,oryS story thou hast sacrificed life
time Of richer and more substantial JOYS.
Once the CORSrLA Of states. thou couldsi point to thy
ihv Jewels but thou like NlJBE all pale and
weeping, because they are no more
Too much TO fling away too much alas
Life, JOY, and hope, Tor but CLEAN OF power!
meteor CLEAN whose transient glories pass,
Meath the cold shadow, like O summers flower,
Leaving upon the brow cloud OF care
dream OF darkness DER the strong heart iurlcd
Til the bowed head, with all its faded hair,
Is laid in dust, far from the knocking worlj
But no! such things never be Virginia will yet
rse, and with energies refreshed by slumb will forth
once upon the of rcnOwn. Her sons animated
by the spirit OF their immortal e, will rally around hr
thick array and with the inspiring cry he Old Dominion,
the rescue" will bear her forward tie front
ranks OF glory (!
The bright Improvement will shine 10 irrnda'e
her blue mountains and gid her golden fields The heart
o the patriot will Jce behold her vast resources
richly aud abundany DE- yeopcd; her plains beaued, and
kv Tho hand Inf a,ds Ef
broad wreahed wh the smoke OF her manufactures;
her hills Tevebcang the echoes oi the buZzing spindle
and the Changing hammc peace plenty and happiness per-
vadng her borders; and the bland light Of Regj shedd
the rapture OF repose" over all.
Then will Virginia iH.f the pr nd destiny fo' which
she intended by MIN VINO planted her everlasting hills.