The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1857-04-04
v IR G. IN I A.

1t is not often that, from similar source,
We meet with confessions and comparisons
like the following from the Richmond (Va.)
Wig. They doubtless represent facts, in
the main, and are instructive to the people
of the Free States, as showing, in our estima-
ton, the tendency of social institution up
, on the material prosperity Of State. In =
recent article upon the decline of Virginia
the Wing says
1--WE have never, indeed, contended that
Nirgiaia's course was actually retrogressive
that she was really going down hill every
day-that she has made. and is yet making,
no progress !; but we have maintained and still
maintain, she has declined relaiirely,-that is
that she has not at all kept pace with her
sister states. and is far inferior in political
power and consideration to what she was ten,
twenty, forty or sixty years ago. In other
words, to perfectly illustrate our meaning, 50
as to enable the weakest mind in the COM
monwealtb to comprehend it, we may COM
pare Virginia with New York in the matter
OF political power. as shown by their respect
i've number of representatives in the national
councils under the present apportionment
and under those preceding. According to
the apportlonment under the census of 1880,
New York. If we mistake not. had thirty
four members Of Congress, and Virginia
notwithstanding difference of only e.
leven members between toe two states, What
is the number ofseeh Msi hsspsssapl s1lae.
1 last cs"ss, % Of ' 1ss = !.
now thirty-six nqpANex &c .dl01esqj<iAuu1
Virginia only th;isIiess, IA M = -
OF twenty-three mApbsp a. laz6shsofs NJ
York. and showing the loss Of ten members
TO Virginia in the last twenty years, and a
gan IN the same time, OF two for New York |!
We might carry ont our illustration OF the
relative decline of Virginia in political pow
er and consequence by reference to the rap.
idly progressive condition OF many others of
the northern, northwestcrr and western
states. But-the comparison we have in.titu-
ted between onr own state and New York.
IN only one particular point, will suffice to
demonstrate what we mean when we speak
OF the decline Of Virginia. She has derln-
td-she has gone down hill with melancholy
velocity, as compared with many of her sis.
ter states aud their progress in population,
wealth, material development and political
power.
"DeLt,
't'bt!' taxeS. t.rcs'" describes exactly the
existing condition of the common wealth
and people Of Virginia As state, blessed
with unrivaled advantages, the Enquirer may
we'll ask.-'What have we done? What
markets have we built up? What great
thoroughfares have We constructed - We
agree entirely with our neiehbor that these
are questions which now direct themselves
forclbly 10 or Interests, ard should awaken
us to sense of the e,hargy and Indifference.
that have characterized our movements; and
We may add to sense Of the deep import
ancc OF arplyin. ourselves to the task of de-
vIsing the ways and means of building our
markets and completing our great thorough
fares But. says the Enquirer. Virginia is
asleep, or if not asleep. dragging her slow
length along so mourniuly. 80 slugyishlv.
that the hearts OF her most hopeful sons are
gradually sinking deeper and deeper in the
slough Of despair
Contemplating this sad picture of the pres
ent condition and future prospects of the
Old dominion, we naturally ask, what are
tie causes of this decline and financial EN-.
barra>sment Of a great State, and one too.
originally fertile and still rich in natural re.
sources beyond most others in the Union
la: war interrupted its coa,s..et, e, .onsu.
med its productions and arrested its growth
in wealth and population? Have the sea
sons been unrropitious and .he soil failed to
yield its wonted supplies in harvest? Has
residence or domestic discord stopped the
wheels Of industry and brought it to this Dit
iinl condition of debt and prospective bank.
rur'cy? None Of these causes have hinder
ed its prosperity. On the contrary, the sun
shines not to day upon any other equal ex-
tent Of territory in all our land, so blessed
of Providence with genial climate, fertile
soil, mineral wealth and facilities for COM
merce, and with whatever ordinarily invites
industry, rewards enterprise, and tends to
make rich and populous State.
The causes ofthis decline must bs sought
elsewhere, and will be found in the natural
and unavoidable influence of its system of
Domestic Slavery. lis statesmen NAV delude
themselves with attempts to trace it to other
sources, the learned Professors Of its Colleges
may argue, as one of them has done, to prove
that system of domestic Slavery is essen
tial to the attainment of any elevated rosi-
ton in wealth and civilization, and its Leg.
islature may devise remedies for existing
evils, and hope thereby to cure them, but,
falling to recognize their source in defect
i've social organization, the State will still,
hold on its downward way, its once fertile
lands becoming exhausted through defective
modes of cultivation, their owners, the once
opulent growers of Corn and Tobacco, turn.
ing their attention to the more profitable
business of breeding and selling negroes, its
young men indoent and prodigal by the force
Of example and education, surrendering the
estates of their fathers to their former over.
seers and Negro drivers, its abundant natur.
al resources remaining undevclopcd, its in
ternal improvements suspended for lack of
means or enterprise to carry them forward,
its schools failing to give the simplest eIe-
ments Of education to more than fourth part