The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1853-11-04
The Men of Virginia.

In some comments last week upon the then
approaching State Fair, we predicted that not
the least among its attractions would be the
multitude it would bring together, and that
however much Virginia might be surpassed
IN some departments of manufacturing, and
even agricultural industry. she could defy all
competition in her MEN. We presume that
all who have attended the Fair, will agree
with us in this opinion. While the exhibition
itself has surpassed all expectations, the as
semblage has been composed of materials
upon which the eye could linger with unoua-
lifted appreciation. We could not but be struck
with the marked contrast to the cold, unso-
cial, pretentious aspect of assemblages on 81
miar occasions, in the Northern cities which
was exhibited by this Fair An effeminate
looking man has been the exception. instead
of the general rule here, except some few fops
ana dandies, and some suspicious looking
characters, on whose face Nature had written
the villain in such luminous characters, that
1t was most Ineligible warning to the un-
wary to button their pockets. The crowd
was generally composed of well developed,
broad shouldered, muscular men, with 9 bold,
manly bearing; open, ingenious, resoiute
countenances and cordial and accessible
manner, which made every one feel acquain-
ted with his neighbor. There was every
where visible that air of independence and
seli-poSsession which is a distinguishing char
acter of your true Virginian. In such a
crowd as this a stranger, no matter what his
station or circumstances, feels at home in a
circle of kindly sympathies, in which all men
of worth are recognized as gentlemen
Professor Washington, in his admirable
essay on THE Social System of Virginia"
has justly pointed out in the isolated country
life which, from the first settlement of the
Virginia colony, constituted q prominent fea-
ture in this Commonwealth, together with
that love of liberty and personal indepen-
dence which it fostered, an element of civil
cation admirably adapted to the progress of
the individual man, to the development of
his sentiments, affections and ideas Living
in secluded homes large landed proprietors,
and lords of slaves, the natural result was a
sentiment of personal independence and in
dividual liberty. "Shall the Virginians, -
SAYS Bancroft, "be described in a word?-
They were Anglo-Saxons in thewoods again,
with the inherited culture and intelligence
of the seventeenth century. The major part
of the House of Burgesses now consisted Of
Firgin;ans who never saw a town. The An
glo- Saxon mind, in its serenest nationality,
neither distorted by fanaticism, nor subdued
by superstition, nor wounded by persecution,
nor excited by new ideas, but fondly cherish
ing the active instinct of personal freedom,
secure possession and legislative power such
as belonged to it before the reformation, had
made its dwelling placein the empire of Pow
hatan.'
Very little change has occurred in the
country gentlemen of Virginia. There is the
same powerful nature and elevated views; the
same conscious superiority and habits OF
command which Prof Washington has so
graphically described in the early society OF
Virginia Moreover, the domestic institu-
tions of the State afford leisure for intellec-
tual cultivation and social intercourse which
render the country gentlemen of Virginia the
most intelligent and refined of their class in
the world In the free States, the cities are
the centres of knowledge, civilization and
elegance, while the agriculturists are boorish
and half educated. In the Southern States
the country is peculiarly distinguished by in
telligence and refinement, and from the sha-
dows of its grand old forests have come
forth statesmen who have ruled the nation
soldiers whose names are emblazoned in inn
perishable letters in the annals of their coun
try, and orators whose eloquence has thrilled
world.
Such is the society whose representatives
now throng our streets. Again we say, VIC
are proud of the MEN of Virginia, and chal
lenge any exhibition in the world to beat
THAT breed.