Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1855-12-08


burg, the York River Road, the Danville
Road, the Hampshire Road, Sc. Hepext
a!lades to the prosperou. condition OF
North w estern Virginia, and the faciIi.
ties afforded the people of that section eor
communication with each other by means
Of Turnpikes, &c.
II my be painful but nevertheless prof
table 10 recur occasionally TO the history
oi the past; to listen % the admonitjous Of
experience, and learn lessons Of wisdom
from the efforts and actions of those who
have preceded us ia the drama of life
The records of former days show, that at
period not very remote. Virginia stood
PIE -einlneniiy the first commercial State
II the UnIon--when her commerce ex-
ceeded in amount that of all the New
England States combined-whrn the city
of Norfolk owned more than one hundred
trading ships, and her direct foreign trade
exceeded that Of the city Of New York
now the centre of trade and the great EN-.
porium of North America
At the period Of the war Of lndepen-
dence, the CONNIE rec Of Virginia vas f,uI
times larger than that oil New York. In
1883, tne imports of the latter amounted
to the enormous sum of one hundred and
eighty millions yearly. while those of
Virginia were not $500 900. And during
that year, there were cleared from her
ports $3.50 vessels to foreign ports, while
from Virginia, during :he same period,
nv Of !
was less than four millions OF dollars,
showing concluslvely that her commerce
has dwlndled down into comparative in-
significance. But will pursue the hu-
mlliating comparison no further, but rath-
er enquire for the cause which has thus
deprived Virginia of her supremacy, en-
riehed the north, built up its titles. and
thrown within its grasp the almost entire
control OF mud cmoiuments derived IRON
the commerce OF the country.
None will attempt to ascIibe it TO supe.
lior natural advantages. Virginia has
greatly the advantage over any portion of
the north IN all the elements requisite TO
constitute commercial and prosperous
community but, like the unfai,hfl ser.
want, she has failed to improve the talent
entrusted to her care, aud has fallsl to
reap the reward.
We have not only permitted northern
enterprise to overfeach us, but we have
aided by actual contributions of millions
annually Ito the building up of their
strong holds" and that too at the expense
of the dearest rights OF our own citizens
and the southern people generally; and
moreover, when we shall have expended
some twenty or thirty millions in th. con-
struction of our great thoroughfares, and
completed the inland system terminating
on the bay shore, the inevitable eonse .
quence will be to cast additional millions
sratu,tously. at the disposal os northern
merchants and spectators. Fact, and
figures show conclusivsly the truth of this
proportion.
in former communication to the legis.
la!ure, briefly adveited TO some of the
advantages resulting from the establish
Heht oil such direct communication with
foreign countries, as well as the Necessity
OF having the business transacted in YES
sells owned aud manned by our own citi-
zens- also showed as think eonclu-
sively, that upon the completion OF the
system now in progress Of construction.
the trade at the seabnaTd would be amply
sufiieien, to support line of steamers, and
the only doubt resting upon my mind then
vas IN regard % the time when we should
embark in that enterprise, and whether il
should be executed by pubic OF private
means.
tiap 4
istiag between the northern and southern
States have SO changed that every yestige
OF doubt has been dissipated in ,egaru to
DE policy aud imperious duty of Virginia.
He Introduces the subject of agriculture.
and recommends the appointment of a
State chemist, and the fostering by legis-
Iative aid the State Agricultural Society,
and similar organizations.
The subject Of education is discussed,
and our colleges and primary schools rec
commended TO the protection aud encourage
men, Of the Legislature.
The second auditors report will exhibit
the financial condition Of the Library fund
1t Will be only necessary for me to state
that its available capital is $1,641. 1853 81.
or this amount there has been invested
1851, 1873 81, leaving the sum Of $50.
562 90 20 be invested. The ne, revenue
derived from these Investments during the
last fiscal year was $7S,S 60.
The receipts Into the treasury from all
sources on account of this fund, including
the balance on hand Oh the Is, of October,
1884, were S166.70i rs, and the dsburse-
mehts during the same period were $685.
GAS, leaving a balance in the treasury to
the credit of this fund, Oh the frst of o..
t9oet Of the present year, of So. 056 76.
lie Aliudes TO the Deaf and Dumb aud
Blind Institution, at this place, and The
Eastern aud Western Lunatic Asylums.
and tavorably remarks upon their man
agement.
lie recommends return 10 the militia
s. stem.
The approach Of the time hen the charters
oi The principle banking institutions in the Stale
VIII expire, aud the sollcilude manifested on the
part oi those most Interested In Their perpetuiiy
will necessarily invoke your attention al an ear
" period OF Your SESSION; and probably no SUBJ
leci III be presented Tor your consideration and
decision, which will invoke 10 an equal extent
The mora pecunlarJ and vital interests OF our
cnlzsns, The general welfare aud honor OF the