The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1859-11-07

The Next Legislature. n
The Legislature of Virginia is about to as
sambie, after an interval of two years. 1t VIII
have before IL important duties and heavy re-
spousihilities. The onward progress OF the
old Commonwealth in all the elements OF
~-entness il obvious 10 the most superficial
observer Although the system OF pubic
works is still in an incomplete condition, 1t
Ia. already greatly developed her resources
and added TO herweaith. / is possible thai the
sraye populaiion may have decreased, In con-
sequence OF the heavy demand for labor In iie
cotton STATES, but we agree win the refers
burg Exprss. in the opinion, that Whatever the
deficiency may be on this score, II Will oe
VASTLY oyerbalanced by the numerical increase
of the white Lands have everywhere risen
I'm value: the agricultural interest, always tue
sheet anchor of our prosperity, was never rs
strong ard fourishing as at present. our com
merce has been respectable and is steadily IN
creasing. and our mechanical Industry Is De-
Coming skilled and enierprising, not only pro-
wing itself deserving the patronage OF our own
citizens. but finding an extensive market iSr
the products of its labor in other States.
But. in the midst OF these inspiring prospects
. xuaden cloud has come across our horizon, n
cloud
,.otous of connection and storm. In the midst
of the pursuits of peaceful industry: without
thought of harm TO others or dream OF INJURY
10 itself literally in the Sabbath stiffness of its
mountain Businesses, invasion and war have
shaken the Air of Virginia with the roar OF guns
and Redeemed her soil with the blood OF some
of her best citizens. Men have been reused from
the slumbers of night, and dragged forth as
~ hnSp, n
sacred relic. of historical interest, tributes OF
the great ones of the earth to the virtues OF her
beloved WASHINGTON, and hallowed by his
x,,.s.ssion have been captured and brandished
ia triumph by insulting invaders. with the
svord of WASHINGTON in his hand and his
pistols by his side, an insnrgent rullan
has ,aised the standard of rebellion in the
very heart of the Commonwealth. But
the explosion at Harper's Ferry, abrupt
and startling as it was, gains its chief and
solemn Significance from The manner i'll which
IL has been received in other States. The no.
HE moderation which accorded to the invaders
/. fair trial and ey en- permitted them 10 be de-
Tended by counsel from their own commuhi-
ties instead of hanging them up while the
fresh blood of their victims cried from the
ground has called forth Il storm of menace anu
deuuuciaiion from the whole fres-soli camp
II WAS not enough that he should be tried, but
he must be acquitted, pardoned The
m Ais are daily bu rdeued with threatening and
abusive letters to the Governor of Virginia
from ayowed abolitionists, and with appeals
for the exercise OF Executive clemency from
CONSERVATIVE sources, on The ground thai it
would be Impoiite to punish the invaders
OF Virginia and the murdereTs OF her people!
She eau afford to despise The threats of nbo
litionists, bat the appeals Of conservative men
for the freedom OF Brown and his associates,
on the ground that their punishment Will IN
crease the strength Of aboliIioIisnl, is in reaIl
" the most ominous sign of the times which /
this traglcal affair has yet developed. If ii !
means anything, it means simply that Nir- !
ginia is not only 10 be invaded at the pleasure |
of her enemies, but that she is not 10 he l1er-
united to raise her hand in self-protecti d.
II means that narauders are to murder our
citizens, and that if we attempt to punish
them, we give new cause of offence, and pro-
woke additional outrages. It means that
morbid sen timent exists in the Free States on
the subject of slavery which does not look
upon Instruction and murder as crimes,
which exalts the insurgent and instructions
ist 10 the character of a hero, and, ifhe be pun.
ished, to that of martyr, and which will
not consent that he shall receive the punish.
meat which is awarded TO similar crimes in
their own communities, or If he be, will re.
taiiaie with fresh crimes and atrocities. II is
no, enough that Virginia is annually despoil-
ed Of her property by the underground rail-
road not enough that she shoad be invaded
and her citizens butchered on her own SOIL |
but abolition philanthropy will sound the bu-
gle of open war if she stir a foot raise +
band in her own defence Not whisper of dis
content is uttered in her own borders; not a
single slave joins the flag Of her invader it is
An assault from without, but she must not re-
sisi that assault on penalty Of its speedy and
frequent repetition, and of her final extermi-
nation.
Let us hope that the Legislature Of Virginia |
will approach this subject with the dignity ana |
xolemnlty which the emergency demands. IL
IL not a time nor an occasion Tor the dispiay
of passion nsr of rhetoric. In spirit as calm
as it is determined, and as far-seeing as II Is
patriotic, our legislators should come up 10
the rescue of their ftresides ana their eooh-
try. We shall not presume to suggest 10 them
means which may be necessary for the pro'ec-
ton OF society. But let there be action instead
OF speech. The speedy completion OF our IN
finished railroads il one OF the most obvious
req uiremen Is OF puDitc security as "oh DC PiSe-
perity. The value OF railroads, in military
point Of view, was efficiently exhibited in the
and precision with which the gov
ernment was enabled TO concentrate large bo-
dies Of troops upon the scene Of the late inva-
sion, But Virginia should be able to command
every foot OF her own territory by her OWE.
railroads. What additional police regulations
may be'necessary, and what means for tia bet
ter organization and efficiency Of her sailitia,
II will be for the next Legislature to deter
miae.
TaE STATE FAIR.-The Virginia State AZ
yicuitnFai Society closed it's exhibition ~ Pc
tersb1rg On Friday. The prize OF s5a TO the
best tn rough bred stallion was awa'sded to
eDeacaiion." owned by J. M. Garland, Of
Richmond. The premium of So, for the
sscond best heavy draught horse, was awarded
70 ,Norman Messenger" EownesI Shy J. A.
Weston. Of Richmond. For best auiek draueLt
horse. = certificate of .continus,d sumo riorjty,,
wAs awarded TO II. J. Smith, of Henrico: his
horse having previously iat en- two u rem INNS
! OF s5J. Among the other premiums WE'RE
Sib 70 Geo. Watt X Co, Of Richmond for hos,
thSee and four.horee plo'.s; fonr or Nv. ure.
msnms Of &5 each 10 +. ~. Starke. of Richmond
ior piows and cuilisators; four To ]. w Care.
well 4 o.. Of Richmond, Tor thr~shing ma.
Games and swf*p horsr power; TWO 10 Iarns,
y a. AsCtk1nnaA f1.r