The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1854-02-23
rHE DAILY DISPATCH.

THE DAILY DISPATCH.
THURSDAY MORNING, FEsRUxRT 3 isss.
TRUE FoLlcY OF VIRGINIA sTATEsMEN.
In an article upon the death Of the lament
ed Tunstall, We referred to his practical ex.
empli6cation fhis State pride in bis devotion
to measures designed for the development OF
the resources Of the State. To this object,
both In the halls Of the General Assembly and
- President Of an important Railroad Com
pany, he consecrated his remarkable powers
and his honorable ambition. His love OF
Virginia had become a passion as deep as
ever lover felt for his mistress. but he mani
tested 1t, not alone in loyal and endearing
words, but in solid and persevering efforts, to
advance her strength and greatness. He had
travelled through the Northern States, and
discovered at glance, that the secret of their
wonderful progress in material wealth, was
the concentration of their best powers ana
energies upon domestic interests. He firmly
believed that, by pursuing similar course,
the prosperity of Virginia would be restored,
and his own example was in conformity with
that belief. If Mr.. Tunstall had devoted HIM
self to federal politics. he would have achiev-
ed national reputation as an orator; but
Virginia has had many orators upon the Con-
gressional arena, and the loss of single star
from the crowded galaxy of her fame would
not have perceptibly diminished its brilliant
Iustre. But the death of a useful man is a
public loss, and assach. the death of Mr.. Tun-
stall will be deeply felt and universally de-
plored.
Mr.. Tunstall has been cut down in the me-
ridian of his powers, but his memory and his
example live, and speak with more than the
persuasiveness of his own eloquent voice to
the aspiring statesmen of Virginia. Mere
fame, considered in itself, is bubble, worthy
only the admiration of children. No fame is
permanent or desirable which does not arise
from the practical devotion of great powers
to useful purposes. The eminent abilities OF
Virginia statesmen have been generally de.
voted to federal politics, and the result is,
that while they have often built up great re-
putations for themselves, they have been able
to render but little substantial service to the
true interests of the Commonwealth. While
they have decked their own brows with lau-
rels, Virginia has become enfeebled and i'm
poverished. While her sons have been elect
ed Presidents, and have figured as ambassa-
doris, and enraptured multitudes by their elo-
quence, and made the world ring with their
deeds in arms, her industry has l-nguished,
her commerce dwindled down to nothing, and
her population emigrated by thousands to 9TH
er States. It was not until she entered upon
her career ofinternal improvements, and the
powers of such men as Tunstall were enlisted
in behalf of her home interests that she began
to recover from her decline, and advance
with steady pace up the hill of power and
prosperity. 1t is only by the devotion of her
best talents to this policy that her future
greatness and security can be placed beyond
the reach of accident. Her destiny depends
entirely upon the patriotism of her own
statesmen. If that patriotism is mere lip
service, and their ambition has no higher aim
than their own personal elevation, the State
is doomed to decay and vassalage. If their
love for her is real if it can sacrifice selfish
aspirations, and be content with a State
sphere of action, they will raise her from the
dust and place the crown of empire on her
brow.
And, after all, home reputationthus achiev-
ed, is more enviable and enduring than any
which can be acquired on a federal arena
The mere politician has few friends, save in
his own party, and the memory of his great
est speeches is often devoured by oblivion
before the volumes which contain them are
eaten by the moths. The monument of man
who has devoted his powers like Tunstall to
the development of the resources ofhis State,
is found in hives of busy industry, in growing
cities, in fourishing villages, in the improve
condition of agriculture and commerce, in
the consolidation of the people of various
sections by the facilities of social and ma
terial communication which railroads af.
ford. Every eye which looks upon this ma
tional and social progress recalls the image
of him who originated it and every heart
blesses him.
ON THE GROWTH OF Boards.
It is odd how fashion creeps from one
continent to another. Steam and other mod
ern inventions for the humiliation of space