Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1851-09-16
SPEECH OF EX-GOVERNOR Jones,

DeIircrtd before tic he, camille Conren.ios Richmond "a.
en- "Wednesday, The lGta Of September, ISL.
sr. President and Gentlemen of The Convention :-fo'
,i. unexpected and uamrcd compliment which y0u have
paid to-day beg 10 tender you my hearty and sincere
thanks. am Of Virginia. but although not ma
i've ri ibis venerable and n,e-aonored commonwealth
f. i.u; much Identified with II as you are ifea;
a i.uss l. is the land of my fathers, it Is Tie birth place
Washington. tcnewed anrlansc ltc"n:,i'"ies part
- this great and glorious conrdcrlcg and that sufficient
- me- TIE and stripes Of the Union hnat from the
l.saii o Capitol and although vas no; horn up
Oh yg,r soil cannot am not, will not be Indifferent 1"
ans thing that pertains 10 your interest or to your
fiturc prosperity Il has long been an object OF
deep soicutc with me to meet and mnsle wlti'
tho ;recnen oi tbs communicating and now am
mere To-day by accident and good fortune. On my way
hofae fro, visit 10 the north business was not ad
yis,d u! your asscub!age until reached Washington II
v v purpose simply pass through this city my
hor and not 10 say but when learned that you were 10
assemble here deliberate upon measures cacGiled I" aG-
vance the best OF Virginia. being kindly n"ed I"
participate in your proceedings, could ne" ma IL IN my
heart 10 decline an honor grateful 10 my leeings
IL must grateful and refreshing 10 'lc ies1ss OF every
Gentleman in attendance hat at lst We aTe ."an ON"
common pIatf.rn u;.nn which Mi STAND, and mngie
ana confer ueher There political slaiiitorS, there
arc no dss,rsiuns here. Loud applause You meet To-
r.the as band n brethren for the purpose OF devisinS
measures which calculated in their nature ana tendency
10 advance Your interests and the interests OF Virginia.
YOU occupy platform broad enough for all and strong
enough all its proportions TO maintain all mat choose IL
step upon it,.
Mr. President, this is bright and glorious day. II il a
green SPOT the history Of Virginia. and sincerely Go hope
itut he rr~ul
may BIZ alike 5eurccnt and conducive her best interests.
have regret the little ability bring 10 The iufimcnt OF
the task before me, bu only demonstrate 10 you ne
interest feel IN this subject and furnish with few
practical reasons favor u the PROJECT have in view
shall have fully accomplished the purpos" had IN view III
appearng before you.
If understand The object OF this assembly it il 20 devise
for the extension 81 lie commercial relationships o.!
Vi..ira know whether any disscnsions ey.s; among
vn npon this subject know not Whether your feelings ne
enlisted in favor OF this that particular point whether you
mo
fits 10 be derived from the creation Oi lac u packets Ia
Euroe If such. however, be your feelings permit 10
YOU thai snch object IS unworthy oi your c3nsde
ration.
The great question s shall the prosperity OF Virginia be
augmented? AL Loyal, true hearted Eitginans AZ bound
10 unite and Cooperate in order tho accomplish
meat OF the purpose contemplated gu dcsr" 10 e%
tend commercial relations which Is proper and nt
One thing asnnshc me- and at Isl that you have slgmaeed
SO long dis 81 cc and given tr!c consideration 10
it, Ii the story Of Rip Van Wrinkles not fc
t!on would br fully realized in the history and progress Of
tc ancient commonwealth # Virginia Her commercial in
lrrgst haze long -u!i.rc because OF apathy AID
lc.r Upon kin back the history Of this State,
viii fad that the ,!ne when Virginia was rs ana tore
in the grlt sH- ic :Dr commercial asctndlncy Onct
she stood peemnenIy soriousthr leader .! her sister
States. How does she stand nov? She occupies now
fourth. haEe position The secret Of this supinenes-
rejoice 10 know. you have learned and are now learning.
The great oi success with your ncghb,rny States
10 be found in their energy and enterprise This
the u succc=> and you would advance IN connrr-
c dignity ard prosperity you must exercise your energy
ul greatness within yourselves and yuu need BAT IL d.
ar. in order TO command that division Of the
cun.ercc vuit which your phcal position
cuincr:1!y entities You. Cir'at aprlnnsr
III regard 10 HE commercial relationships when rou seek
with Other nations al Ii. earth and with The different por
lions 81 o con,inrnI save nothing 10 say. SuppJ-s
had ;e ire marine in the w"Ei suppose lie entire
=! the ircc I:c, and Pacitc seas were y1Hf. 81
VITA, avail would il cr unless Sou ,! some internal com
m;naion whereby freight could bc furnished for your rs
ses But. gentlemen sy TO you thai before your ve--es
auIchcd III enemy will DC upon van, II yon re-
gard Us Is enemies. Applause The lines ri comtnunca
stretching out IN the lar distant west are al a oX-
tent which, If would appear fabulous. Are YOU
Of the progress Vi Improvements beyond you! h!th
ont alternating 10 rxa-.e:alc in the sghs degree, &c.
clare that five from This day YOU may start
from the crescent city Of LousaHaNew Oclcans-und in
~yiY..pus hours fins! yourselves in the city Of R!chmon
lt-aa applause This is not mere teay, lis subs:an-
tn! o; ;act reality. Commence with the beginning .!
line wich haze end"::ored 10 !o:csi.adnw 10 souf
minds; and wrrr is il Ec2n at Memphis FROM hcn-
ph 10 tie intersection OF i!c Nashville ana Chattanooga
ui5orI th.sa in progress OF construction .a: al
ntt"g Isl mics :, ar"" p'Tilon oil 'iS r'': Is undcr
contract and wh"! rNag-eEalion can irGS say ma
il w ~ completed within three years from this time IL
the intersection 81 this Nashville and Chatnn"oIa tHtirna!
there i rod being constructed from hno&Ti'e 1" tic
Georgia :ru,S lofty miles Of which in opc
,l!In. From hroXY' :" III" Virginia line t":e is "a r"h,
hra ,strlrr i1Ty miles o when nearly completed
and he construct the !cnaicc-: Wi! be
pro.I,:cG by ;ir next Legislature ~; Tennessee.
r,!4 toe !inc "t Virginia To lrnchurE, III ynn! state
road i 10 progress which w Dc finished Thus you
will navc iun d!cc Inc vi communication witn the
extreme South. New O;!cIn> ely that has bccn So l'n@
>cg inI il Hca SECURITY. Is being a"9hrnei to iccl"g
nj ."slo. lmaginc@ that the :o" at hr rich
ty.SH. y"icii been poured nt0 her lap through tie
Mississippi tIse' fiona the aost magnificent
:ay tie lace oi earth would never cease, s:ie has
heretofore comparatively indifferent IN regard |" e*'e
IN, ilta ,,f communication "lth ia!5,n: Sa'"f t"
Ia t'c sad reality That trade Is Being Hi"@rd
uu her borders Unless she rises rom her wontcl ln;r!
and TIE support -; woThS o. !!Grn"! i'n-
pfovcncai less tan twenty years she will he beneath the
of OF en'crrIAe vino desires TO locate II
ou sng and prosperous port of trade She is however
III: and rrp nj
practical exhibition oil her desire 10 extend ntetn" improve
the time is distant wien Richmond viii be CON
nctcI by direct lines of communication with New Orleans
Gsnt!cm.n Of the Convention. when LOOK upon ms inv
ing pcu!" vi ntegcninnuncailpn, am nl!cd WIN prize
a0a delight Every effort should be- made their
We should not De discouraged because OF tho
Indifference apathy OF others.
nave 5ani very .nany who were unwilling aid and
cn.Uprrat. in tbs work. have found men OF Means ANA
education. ol c :rring and of science, who were m
willing to briirTr tic trnn o: the praccab'y {" scicncs
a1rn" They preferred retroaracc 10 forward
."nt. But tie -,ir OF the age rcou%e their surac-
Eyciy OF III" wo! has had its peculiar and d3-
ting ing characteristics and this age in which We 1--we has
its i.nauEin characteristics in the progress and d,vtl
the arts and sciences; and the InEn who refuses
hs aid and cooperation i'll developing the Of the
cuuC;; stands in his light and will ere long have cause
ren; his rcrssG"sS in the discharge OF dulles nertssa'
rly Gsy"lvlng upon im in this cc republic Virginia may
Cooperate VITA Tennessee in constructing works
OF improvement and Tie citizens i" Tennessee may "iih.
hpl .oir all al- bu: what viii Re the effect Of hi,!'Yha
viii b. attained BIZ in The u l BE- that the opponents
~ improvements will DC involved in hum!i.Jn <iUcii'ica
ria ,n commercial drgradion. fou n-J reins" aid il
choose hat Fre'b, that your neglect and Indifference
may h!ag tuin ant wgCc!encss upon he society III which
The family with whnl you v.. Stand IN The
way -! Of improvements, and the rcsnii
val Re other portions of your country your SITTER
States in the cUn!CGiLcg will pass you by and when they
have reached the OF their you will be haunted
with presence OF nHdyng and heartfelt regrets in
v"u gentlemen nt Virginia, by The vi the Illus
t.Uns dead. all mat sway your feelings arouse
energies, wake Of your interests and your
rights Ars" pun arnor and 20 forth 10 the battle
field 10. labor. cVnqGcilng and II cnnqner.
Why. gentlemen, claim participation in THIS
mighty Cum.lcfce that flows this nation like Geugc
Why may you forward and demand II rs part oi
yonr incItancc Your geographical position puts trade
and commerce almost unlimited extent within your
gasp. Develop resources and extend your INES o.
communication with adjacent States and your channels 81
dc will be filled IN even overflow.
You have RESOURCES Virginia to an extent suiccn II
carefully Developed make you almost supreme IN power
wealth greatness, and IN all That di9h!hes uai"ln
YET how unnGm5sei blessings have been REACTED n
YOU! h.ndS What and unlimited resources ell! lie un
developed and ncaTcd for beneath soil! have looked
Dn The past Virginia with attc n'ion, aud har"
mn -