The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-04-26
THE UNION.

historical literature OF the country which, we fear. il 10
not now destined 10 attain For all must admit that the
social system of Virgins 49, IN many respects peculiar
system unlike of the social systems by which II
sunounded-s sort Of anomaly in our times. Ii has no
parallel except the other savehoding States OF the
Union and when closely inspected, looks very much Ike
the remnant OF an older Civilizations fragment OF the
leuda system floating about mere ON The bosom OF The
nineteenth century.
problems essary connect themselves with such sys
iem--problems the solution OF which will. believe
throw much light upon past history and future career
as independent people II Virginia has always been
poor; if she has accomplished but little Tor the improve
nenl OF mans social and material well being if she has
fallen behind her sister States IN the accumulation oil
wealth H. upon the other hand, she has done much Tor
the Moderation OF mans moral and intellectual nature if
she has been emneny fruitful IN great men and general
principles; if she has given TO the nation those warriors
whose vaor has led its armies TO victory those statesmen
hose wisdom has guided councils peace and those
principles of civil and religious liberty upon which our
institutions are founded iii all this be true, expana
OF it, and of every other problem connected with the
past history present condition OF the Commonwealth
will be found in the peculiar elements which prevailed IN
her social organization during The colonial period. we
repeat, therefore, that is source OF regret 10 that
Mr. II. has not entered somewhat into this interesting
subject. 1t would, in our judgment, have greatly in
creased the value of his history Bancroft is The only
| writer who has under aiken anything like an analysis OF
the social system Of Vlrgina and the consequence is,
that although he has performed his task but imperecy.
and has fallen into some errors OF fact yet everything
considered, he has given us the best history OF Virginia
which we have yet come across He does not tell us
much some others, but he tells US more that we want
| TO know.
book. He tells us nothing about the people Of Virginia
gives insight into their character habits and
mode of life He has written history OF the govern
msnt of Virginia. and not much more The King, Par
lament London Company, Governor Council, and House
of Burgesses are his dramatis persona. The PEOPLE
rarely appear upon the stage. This is great Omission
have long desired, above all things to make Their
quantance. 1t is certain that they were many respects
a remarkable race OF men. They are llusous in colo
NAL annals and beyond question: the master spir,s
| of the age in which they lived. We sometimes imagine
hat them standing in the twilight of those
early times, head taller than their contemporaries These
men fathers and what Their ineal descend
ants, desire is to know something OF them-io be placed
face face with ihem-to visit them at their homes in
the country. and sit with them around their fre.sdes and
at the social board We desire to what manner OF
men they really werewhat they did, thought, and felt
and how they spent their daily being. from whose
olns have sprung line OF warriors and saiesnen-suet
men as Washington, Henry, MARSHALL, Jefferson, hlad
son. and hundred ohers-all names
'Worhy Fame's eternal bead rpll to be fled
deserves to be studied and remembered We do think
hal Mr. II. has paid attention enough to this branch Of
his subject. He might we'll have devoted a whole chap
the people OF Virginia. and it would have been the
most interesting chapter IN his book.
We have now. in the discharge OF that duty which is
due TO the public, and IN the spirit Of independent
Virginia as they have appeared to OF merits have
already spoken and they such not likely 10 bt
overlooked lney are OF character winch VIII com
the hook the public and to be generally
read. And while we think that Mr. H leaves much ye
TO be accomplished. we cannot withhold from him The
credit of having made valuable contribution 10 his
ollcal literature. Although his book does not 60 al
the way yet il is certainly step in advance, and will dc
much to clear the way for those who may come aiie
him. And we here dismiss Mr. HIS history with tht
remark already made that is. far able ,o
Judge, correct and interesting narrative OF the mporan
public events connected with the colonizalon OF Virginia
and, such we take pleasure in recommending il 10 al
who desire to acquan themselves with the general out
line OF colonial history with the least possible expend
ture OF time and trouble.
We have said that there many interesting ques
tons connected with The social system OF Virginia. w,
propose briefly to call public attention to two
these questions We can only do in very Imperfect
manner; Tor although the views which about Il
express nave been long entertained YET Tor the want
time Tor arrangement, they must necessarily assume
crude and undiyesed form, aud send them TO pres
rather with the OF Calling attention to interesting
subject than with any expectation OF illustrating it, He
indeed, who shall present the public with thorough
analysis OF the social ~ stem oil Virginia will have per
formed useful task, and made Invaluable conrbu
ton TO the State II Is unnecessary To say that the crud
matter which follows has n o such prelensioH.
Il TO BE CONTINUED