Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1846-03-07
PROSPECTS OF VIRGINIA..


mother State. and in thu efforts which she is now
making to retrieve her fortunes, and place her.
self in n position worthy her ancient fame, the
rich and boundless resources of her soil, and the
commanding advantages of her geographical po-
sItion.
He speaks, too, of the great numbers of Nir-
ginians scattered abroad III various parts of the
Union. They indeed multitude. The b an
tinl river which washes western border, in ITS
onward course to the Mississippi, passes for
hundreds of miles, empire founded by VIZ
GINA enterprise sni couragr,-ken'ucky, the
Young Virginia of the West. And then the
Mississippi, in its majestic march To the sed. flows
between other young and vigorous Common
wealths established by and OVERLOOKING with our
people. la the addition at Texas new field is
presented Tor the spirit of emigration, and we
NAV soon muutud-s ON their Journey for that
promised land. All this is n dead loss To the
Comm pnweath. Sac has no surplus population
To spare. Emigration now, would b.. opening
her veins, and letting ont the scanty tide OF blood
that still warns her heart. Think what ste
would be- now, lf the tceming IN ions which
have lrft her nururing bosom, were gathered
more IN the family circle; it the capita.
labor and enterprise scattered wide a
sIriace. were now concentrated WITHIN our own
Commonwealth. How grand would lie her march
To ospeIity aud power. What EMPIRE a
magnificent empire, would she De- IN herself In.
stead at an existence passed in vain regrets
the past, she would lave for the present. Instead
OF resembling feeble vine, leaning for support
upon grey old ruin. she would he now a
young and vigorous oak, worthy OF the parent
tree, able 10 DEFY wintry winds, or, in sunshine,
To- give shelter and shade TO uncOunted millions.
But Virginia, refusing 10 her people the improve
ments, the education, the advantages preferred by
9th States, has virtually banishcd them from her
borders. Tnry have n,wn, like birds, at the ap.
proach of winter, to genial CLINE. And
yet, we think with our correspondent, that they
would not be reluctant 10 return. The signs OF
a better day are arresting their attention: tn re
are some Indications of spring aud sunshine in
their old haunts aud, should these usher Ia more
prppitioIs season, who knows but the wandering
rJyers may fl ck back to their parent nests. and
make the solitude once more vocaj with their
song
Ii seems TO among the most evident facts
that something must be dun- 10 stay TIL Tide Of
emigration, or Virginia lr'ecoyerably lost 10
the race by which she is now inhabited. Not
lost to the world, not lost To the country. nor to
civiliz ID man. Far, very far iiom it. OR own
people may think lightly of the advantages which
Providence, with such Il Lavish hand, has shower
ed on their he dislike the prodig4 H., they NAV
leave their fathers home to 20 into a srdng. lard
where, ait'r all, they my be forced TO live On
hlsks,-but an enterPrising race will settle Viz
giuia and from her Northern to her Southern
border, from the Ohio 10 the sea, she will be made
vast hive of industry and wealth. But
would To- God that the work might be accom-.
plisneI by her own children. 1t may be. it can
be done, and we appeal to her Legislature, and To
the people themselves to make last effort for
self preservation.
Let our law. givers discard forever the section
al policy which has So long frustrated every broad
and comprehensive scheme OF Improvement, and
aenated the hearts of oar people from each
other and from the Commonwealth. Let every
avenue b. opened which viii up the trca-
sures uf our mountains and our plans. Let the
Valley Of Virginia and the whole of the West b..
penetrated by canals railroads, facilitating the
intercourse, and cementIng the interests and at
fectons of the East and West. Let the means OF
education be placed within the reach of the mass
OF the people Suppose that all this requires a
Urge expenditure Of money. Yet, is it not bet
tir to eNpend large sum, with ths prospect of
receiving it back ten'old IN the increased power,
population and wealth Of the Stat, than by
short-sighted and narrow economy, To SOW disaf
fection ia the hearts OF the people. endangsr the
integrity Of the State, and stimulate the tide Of
1 EN- grafton, until the Commonwealth becomes
desert, and is LEFT without money, strength, or
people! 1t is struggle for life or death. Can
any expenditure be too great to preserve our ma.
tipnu existence
We appeal to the people Of Virgnia,-we i'm.
Pore them to resist the roying spirit the restless
desire Of chang, which has cause our nation to
resemble an Arab camp, with no fixed aud per
,nent habiratio1. Where will they find such
country ~ their own Where will they find an
other Commonwealth embracing her ph, steal. mo-
raj, social advantages Even the small proper
ton of her worn out lands can be retrieved by
the hand oi industry and art, a. experiment has
fily proved. And for the rest, thee T., not a spot
upon her territory, where with ordinary energy
and prudence, tie agriculiuris, and the mechanic
may not secure an independent support. We
are told Of the wonderful fertility o. other regions.
and that the fruits Of the earth arise almost spon
taneo1sly to bless the hopes Of the husbandmau
For thu very reason, W, should dcprecaic the
emigration Of our people. Without labor there
can be NO true happiness content. II is ne
ce'sary TO virtue, 10 diIni'y 10 the perfection #
human character. Tn people oil q territory
ich requires bot little cultivation, will bccom.
~ cnorvated 10y habits of solhlul ease, "a . TO un
d'u,.,e with reluctance, even the htue which ls
r,qnred. Tisy will bec.m luxurious and clTc.
inmate, ID -'arye IN tn IN l,t OF plenty. Such,
at any rate, are the chafdcteristics of the dwell.
lers m tn INST fertile portions Of the Globe.
Where siall W. look 10 our own lanl, Tor the
greatest amount Of general prosperity, general ~.
telhggnce, general content Without doubt, to
the rocky sol Of New England, where the power