Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1845-07-10


OF the Alieghanies. yet survives, having
witnessed the growth and population OF
an Empire thar covers the mighty valley
between the base OF the Blue Ridge and
the Rocky Mountalnsi
With knowledge Of these facts. ought
we to be astonishec 10 behold the young
State oil Ohio, by well directed energy,
and enlightened enterprise. opening ave-
nues to marke. for her agricultural pro
auctions; connecting the waters of her
great River with those OF the Northern
lakes; constructing Rail Roads aud Ca
mails IN every direction developing all
her resources and surprising her an.
cient mother in population; IN wealth
and in all the elements Of greatness
Is il not time that we OF Virginia should
awake from our slumbering aud inert
condition, and ask ourselves soemnly,
why il is, that our beloved State has lag
god SO far behind in the onward march
of improvement Is it not time that
henceiorth we should resolve 10 DO our
duty, and thus prove that We are not in.
sens Bile 10 the blessings which benign.
( dit pfOfiuCUCC nus uP0f bS
The causes Of Virginia's present decline
is subject which can receive no at
traction from the embellishments Of fancy,
or the tropes and figures OF rhetorick.-
The truth must be told +; and although re.
verence !or her manifold virtues should
induce us TO be as lenient 10 her faults as
fiiial affection may permit, yet that higher
sponsibity we owe 10 him "who ha
gwen US oil good gifts" should impel a
frank avowal Of The truth, be the conse-
queuces whai they may.
We cannot disguise from ourselves,
then, that large portion Of the people OF
Virginia have yet to learn some of the
simplest and plainest maxims Of moral
and political wisdom. We canno. con.
ceal from ourselves, that they have yet
to submit. to many sacrifices of pride ci
opinion. and by unlearning much Of .shaI
they have already learned, profit by the
knowledge and experience Of tt.ose whom
they have heretofore looked upon as in.
feriors. and regarded with, mingled feel.
ings Of superclliousness and scorn. And
how easily mny they not do this now
when their own high ard honorable
character IS universally acknowledges
throughout the length and breadth Of the
: land, ard when to be natire Of Virginia
soil IS fairer recommendation than 'tht
-sofd of Prnces?''
i The people Of Virginia are essentially
race Of politicians. Accustomed so long
to participate in the honors and offices o
: Government, they have become oblivious
to the obligations of State duties, from too
absorbing devotion to the welfare OF thu
Union. So long as derotion 10 the glors
ofthe Union was the impulse to this con
duct, i; was a high and cnnobing CT arac
tersiic. But alas! there is 100 much rea
son to believe, that this deep interest il
National politics, is not now SO much foun
ded upon patriotism. as upon an Unsuitable
i, desire COR the notoriety to be acquired in
, The administration Of the public Offices
sometimes even degenera,lng into a mert
lust for the emolumenls they confer
This is besel,ng sin with the vuginians
OF the present day, and one which leads
them to lavish their devotion upon the
general government, TO The neglect Of the
best and dearest interests OF their venera
bic mother. When they shall become
purged Of this faint, they will alread y
have gained high and important van.
,age ground.
The inhabitants of Virginia are emf
nen,ly devoted TO the pursuits Of Agricul-
, ture, ard consider the true happiness o.
man to be found in developing the re.
sources Of the Earth. They entertain
firmly the conviction, that "he who eau.
r ses two blades off grass to grow, where
only one grew before, is benelactor o.
the human race" In these noble pur-
: suits are to be found the true sources Of
their Independence, hospitality, and high
, and chivalrous bearing. But along wllh
, their devotion TO agricultural occupations,
a large portion OF them entertain a dog
ma, which is the true cause Of one bali Of
the difficulties with which they have to
} contend. They not only believe agricul-
! ture to be noble pursuit--but that an
supported By manufaciwes--it is the most
, profitable employment. IN which they can
engage. This is their grand fundamental
, error, The root and origin of all their iIlsl
II Us this that induces them 10 import from
abroad nearly ali the manufactures me-
J cessary for their supplies, and which could
readily and advan,ageously be made with
in their own borders. Ii is this that de.
J prlves them OF the very best market they
could enjoy--a market situated at their
own doors-for the surplus productions
OF their daily tolls.
They have yet to learn that Agricel-
tuTe and Manufactures are not rivas-not
enemies-but rather sisters, walking hand
IN hand and when united to Commerce,
forming the three graceS of civil society,
each sustaining the other in harmonious
action by the incontrovertlble laws OF their
very nature. To these palpable truths
they have sealed their understandings,
and Il is for this reason that they behold
the people of New England, with less Oh.
slinacy OF opinion, and more devotion 10
their true interests, fast leaving them be-
hind in the progressive improvements Of
the age.
A large portion ofthe people Of Virgin.
Ia, have yet to learn the advantages that
result TO Agriculture, from the encourage
meDt of Manufacturers rhev hava vet