Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1845-06-10
VIRGINIA AND NEW ENGLAND CON-
TRASTED

Their relative -erifs in Nassfsefuses, sc. &c.
Whilst we cannot but love and hold in the high
est veneration, ancient mother-Virginia,-
for her many, very many virtues; yet, we must
say, and sag il with sorrow, that il pains to see
her slumbering and inert condition-when com.
pared to other States. VIRGINIA., we know
nay, the world KNOWS! possesses advantages,
which nature has given her, over almost any State
in the Union. Aud, yet, how have those bless
ings been treated With neglect--nay, almost
contempt! Ought it to be sol Shall it continue
to be sol We trust not. Let then, the citizens
of OLD VIRGINIA throw off that lethargy under
which their ancient mother has been for ages
suffering, and, our word for it, the prosperity of
themselves and children will be teniold.
VIRGINIA is behind the times. She has not
kept pace with the march of improvement which
has been abroad throughout the land-nor can she
keep pace with it, as long as she ncglects her
MANUFACTURING capacities.
Is it not humiliating to every true hearted Vir-
ginian, TO stand with folded and see how
the gifts Of God and nature have been thus abu-
sed Resolve, therefore, that word Of reproach
shall never again cause the blush to crimson
your checks. Virginia can be redeemed-Vr-
GINA mms, be redeemed! From this day hence
forward let all resolve TO do duty, by showing
that we appreciate the manifold blessings bestow-
ed upon Let the watch.word be IMPROVE.
MENrl IMPROVEMENT Let our pursuits be di-
versfed, by Withdrawing some of the labor now
engaged in Agriculture, and bestowing it upon
Manufactures. We will then create a market
Of our own-and no thanks to the foreign powers
who now admit our tobacco and other staples only
upon their own terms.
BY reducing the producers, in the curtament
of labor now engaged in Agricultural and, other
pursuts-and applying il difierently-is it not
strikingly evident that increase the consumers,
for breadstuffs and other productions of the soil ;
while, al the same time, we do not lessen the de-
mands Tor manufacturing commodities And what
is more would we not, thereby, be enabled to
keep, within own household, the surplus which
is now paid to the Europeans for converting our
raw materials into manufactured articles! This
must also be conclusive beyond denial.
In New England, having nothing like half the
natural advantages of Virginia, we see the bene-
fits arising from proper distribution and appre-
citation of labor. There, Manufactures are grow
ing daily, and bidding defiance to the pauper la
Dor of other countries, whilst here in this Old
Commonwealth, they are in their infancy and
barely able to keep upon their feet.
What Virginia is, and what she ought TO be, is
forcibly illustrated, by article in another
column, from admirably well conducted,
National Periodical, recently started in New York
city. 1t will be seen by that article, that even
England has acknowledged the superiority which
Virginia possesses in natural resources. New
England, too. yields to her the palm in one re-
spect, while she proves her inferiority in the 9TH
er.
Having started with fixed purpose, ofawak-
ening the citizens Of Virginia to a sense of duty
TO themselves and their country, we shall, from
time to time, throw such lights before them, upon
the subject of improvement, may best seem
suited TO SO important a matter. We shall, there.
fore, publish in our paper OF to morrow, an article
on the subject Of "AeRIcULrURE and MANUFAc.
TuREs-Iher mutual dependence upon each 9th.