The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-01-08
From Tie Richmond Republicans.
The Tru. Policy of the South Western
Virginia.

From tie Richmond Republican,.
| The True Policy of the south Western
Virginia.
We have ever maintained that the chief reliance
OF the South for the protection of her peculiar insti
tutions must be In her own growth in the elements
of wealth and power. Atruth like this would seem
to be self evident, but 1t requires cline upon line
and prcCept upon prccept' TO impress il upon the
minds of a proud high spirited and martial peo-
pic like those of the Southern States. In all the
heroic and noble qualities of the human character,
the South stands pre-eminent, but ii must be ac-
knowledged that IN commercial and manufacturing
prise is far behind other sections of the Union
Its statesman its orators and its soldiers have easily
distanced all rivalry, but in the plodding paths of
industry, the homely pursuits OF trade and the de-
Velopments OF It's resources, II has not approached
its brethren of the same stock in the Northern
States In the long and heavy pull up the
steep hill of internal improvements, the cart
horse has kept ut no small distance ahead of the
| bloodcd racer. There is no comparison between
the natural advantages of the South in agri-
culture, minerals, and for manufacturing pur-
poses, with those of the North; yet the very rich
ness Of our resources seems TO have taken from us
that stimulus to exertion which poverty supplies.
Our garden-like soil has invited us TO pleasure,
| and our balmy airs have lulled us to repose The
man of the North has converted the very ice of his
dreary winters into source of revenue The
man of the South finds himself provincial in the
| midst of the richest bounties of nature. The
smallest rill that meanders through Northern lids
| is made tributary to manufacturing purposes,
while the noblest Southern rivers waste their wild
profusion of waters III the sea. Why is this? Not,
we verify believe, from any deficiency OF energy
in the Southern character. The South has shown
energy enough in the hclds OF politics and o arms
to defy all competition. But il is because her
ergies have been exclusively to those pursuits,
| and because she has never felt the sharp spur OF
necessity, that she has declined in population and
| wealth Ii the power and perseverance, which she
has manifested in the political arena had been de
| voted TO internal improvements, she would he at
this moment first in population and in wealth, as
she has been first III the councils OF the nation.
The South has now, however, the strong incen-
tive of NECESSITY to stimulate her TO cxerton The
hour has come when she must do or die. Ii ID not
poverty which threatens her, for her inexhaustibe
soil Will afford food for ages for hundred times her
present population 1t is something than
! povcrty-something which appeals far more touch
! ingy To proud and sensitive minds. IL is degrade
ton in the scale of empirc-t is danger to her hon
her dearest rights and her whole social structure.
| That danger may not be imminent-t may be re-
mote; but s none the less certain If she does not
rouse herself to meet and avert It, The tremendous
and unparalleled growth o the free States In num-
bers will place the South at the mercy of al
overwhelming majority In both branches OF the
American Congress. Ana how we to be saved
Not by windy defamation and worldly resolutions
These have rs little power to stay the advancing
/ tide the vain command OF monarch that the sea
should advance farther. Not by an appeal Il
the sword, for the sword is the instrument Of dc.
struction, not of creation. Civil war might
| ruin the North, but 1t would not build up
the South She might grasp the pillars of North
crn supremacy with the energy and despera-
ton of Sampson; but, like him, she would be in
volved in the ruins of the temple which she pulled
down. The true course of the South lies upon a
different theatre. Ii lies in the Union, and under
the shadow of the Constitution. 1t is found in the
! development of her matchless resources; IN
making railroads and canas; in encouraging her
own meo hanics manufactures, and schools Of learn
ing; in keeping her own people at home and lnvlt-
ing Immigration from abroad by giving her peo-
pie avenues to market, and by wise and liberal
laws, extending popular power and providing Tor
general education Pursuing such course, she Is
bound in another half century TO become the great
est, the richest the strongest, the most populous
section Of this Union, and to place her rights and
institutions upon an impregnable rock of defence
We glad to perceive evidences that the South
is awakening to this, her true policy, Her recent
steps, and those of Virginia in particular in inter
nal Improvements, are awakening attraction
abroad. The wonderful mineral treasures OF Vir
ginia are drawing hither the regards of the enter
prising men of other sections. Let her persevert
in the career of enterprise she has commenced anc
let her press continue to make known her advan
tages and ere long stream OF population woulc
former rank among the States, and make her vast,
places blossom like the
Western Virginia is at this moment an object o
especial attention, both at home and abroad. Wei
known as the largest section OF the Common th
and the richest in natural advantages, the recen
census will prove that she has also the vast majority
OF numbers Ii is the evident interest 1t is th
duty of the Commonwealth To unite this great re
gon to herself by the indissoube bonds OF intcrna
improvements and of equal laws