The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1848-12-23

OF the richest ndsmost dissimilar product
intersected in every direction by the noble
navigable streams, connecting her mou
tains on the one side with the Ocean, ON ii
other with the bright waters of the Ohio
she seemed to comprehend within herself a
the elements Of empire. Nature new,
spread out fnrer, nobler theatre for ii
enterprising genius Of liberty and industr.
than the State Of Virginia. In the divers
fed productions of the different portions {
her extended territory, there were laid III
foundations Of the largest domestic trade {
any State in the world. Astounding i
minerals Of every species, from gold to lead
with the finest salt wells on the continent
her valley teeming with grass and grain
and her lowlards giving her monopol
in the then richest staple Of the planting
States, what more could she ask al the nam
Of Heaven DID she want manufactures
She had the finest water power, the mos
abundant materials, and the easiest commu
nicslions. Did she desire foreign com
merce? The ocean lay before her, and tht
inlet OF the Chesapeake, meeting the water
Of her own Potomac, washed her entire
eastern border. Behind. and touching her
lay the great valley of the west-the fair
est portion Of il once her own-that valley
which was competent TO sustain countless
millions Of men-which was destined tC
comprehend within its capacious bosom
many States-.States whose consumption i.
even now incalculable, and whose power,
Of purchase and Of payment far exceed
even their vast demand. This trade which
sIstans the commerce Of Pennsylvania and
New York, and the manufactures Of New
England-this enormous trade, which is
still in its infancy, but which, even in its
cradle, is competent TO absorb and digest the
capitalize keep in full and profitable EN-.
ployment the commercial industry Of cities
containing more free people than are to be
found in all the broad territories Of the Old
Dominion-nlight, and should have been,
all her own. Ii seems indeed 10 have been
designed for her by nature, and to have
tempted her by every inducement Of cir.
cums,ance and position. She had but to
extend her arm and grasp it with all its
treasures in full monopoly. Through the
Ohio river. and her western streams, It was
brought home, to the very foot OF her noun
tains-that barrier passed, and it was pour.
ed through various channels, dividing and
watering her whole eastern territory into
the bosom Of the Atlantic. No State lay
so convenient---to none were presented so
many facilities, and so few difficulties, IN
the acquisition aud entire command OF the
trade Of the West Did she lack the in
tellect TO perceive-the genius 10 compre-
bend her position and her interest! Oh,
no. Magma mater uirRm, she had produ-
ced a race of men "with minds TO compre.
bend the Universe. men whose names
and actions placed Virginia first in fame.
as she was in power and position, among
the States, and threw splendor over her
early history. which still shines in lingering
and melancholy radiance round her worn
and faded bGow-"a gilded halo. lowering
Ger decay" They saw. and would have
seized, all her advantages. George Wash
ngton, great in all things, and having
stretched before his prophetic vision in long
perspective, the future fortunes of the EN-
pire he had founded, warned Virginia Of the
Importance OF the West. He first project.
ed the connection Of the Chesapeake with
the Ohio river. through means Of the waters
Of The Potomac and Monongahela. They
lacked not the intelligence. Had other
States the start Of her in population! Let
US compare Virginia with New York, the
only State which could challenge com.
parison with her.
In 1890, Virginia, with 10000 square
miles Of territory and internal resources
sucn as have described, contained popu-
lation of 748,30S. New York, upon a
surface of 1868 square miles, contained q
population Of 340,l20. This statement
exhibits in favor Of Virginia difference Of
24.342 square miles Of territory, and 4OS,-
1873 in population. which is the double oil
New York, and $4,000 more. In 1880,
after race Of forty years. Virginia is found
to contain PHI ,405 souls, and New \ ork
l,918,60S, which exhibits difference in
favor Of New York OF 7O7, 203. The in.
crease upon the part of Virginia will be
seen TO be 463,197, starting from basis
more than double as large as that Of New
York. The increase of New York, upor
basis Of $40, 120, has been 1878, 5SS.-
This exhibits a positive difference in in
crease Of 1,115,391 human beings. Vir
GINA has increased in ratio of 81 pc
cent, and New York in that Of five hun
bred and sixty six per cent. What the mex
census will show we cannot tell. The tota
amount OF property in Virginia, under tn,
assessment Of 1895, was S211. 930.50S 0Sa
The aggregate valuation OF real and per
sonal property, in New York, in 1889, wa
1864, 600, 900, exhibiting an excessin New
York over Virginia, Of capital, Of SAP.
O69,492 Statesmen may differ about pol
icy, or the means TO be employed in tn
promotion of the public good, but surel
they ought to be agreed as to what prosper
ity means. think there can be no disput
that New York is greater, richer,
more thriving, prosperous, and powerfr
State than Virginia. What has occasione
the difference? We have already seen tina
as to advantages merely physical--as to a
the original elements Of grandeur. wealll
and power-Virginia was unsurpassed. III
( accident or misfortune operated in this cas
, Has despotic government bowed the spli
end cramped the efforts Of Virginia! Has ST
/ suffered under the desolations Of war
+ scourge Of pestilence? Over this fair lar
y balmy atmosphere and purest skies, sml