Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-02-26
A Prospective Stampede.

Private udvices from different parts of tho
State inform US that large number of our
largest Shareholders are already making prepar-
ations for an exodus. which they consider may
be rendered necessary as we'll by the dilatory
action Of the Convention now assembled as
by final submission Oh the part Of the Conven-
ton. When this prospective stampede shall
once heceIne present and actual, none can pre-
dict the extent to which it will be carried
Some opiuc that some Of our largest and most
flourshing agricultural districts will be left as
desolatc as the wilderness of jamaica Even ii
it shall fall far short Of this il will still involve
incaicuiablc damage to all our interests. These
large Shareholders comprehend large quota Of
the very flower OF our population represent
ins much Of the wealth, talent, virtue and
commanding influence Of the State They
will carry away from us millions Of property.
They will carry away from us what is fur more
valuable to the Stale than propersy-thousands
and tens Of thousands Of busy hands, which
now constitute the PROTECTIVE LABOR of the
State.
Nor will the stampede be confined at all to
Slsves and shareholders. If there shall be
stampede Of large agriculturiS,S, there will be
corresponding stampede Of large merchants
and manufacturers. If there shall bo STAN
pede of Slave labor, there will be correspond
ing stampede of free white labor, now appre.
ciatcd, dgniticd, and maintained by demand
created by slave labor The large shareholders
are the principal customers Of our large mer-
chants and manufacturers. Moreover, the
merchants and manufacturers will justly
regard the exodus Ct the large shareholders
as all un,niStakable indication of the hnai
separation of Virginia from the Southern
States, and her irrevocab!e dependence on
Northern Conlederacy. New, our large mer-
Northern custom. Outside Of Virginia, their
custom is found almost exclusively in States
South Of Virginia.
Wha, can they do then, when their custom
in Virginia shall be broken down by prostra-
tion Of the agricultural interest Of the State;
when they shall be cut of, By foreign
tariff, frou, all custom with the Southern States,
AID when, without foothold at the North.
they must in Virginia and elsewhere, compete
with the larger and more firmly established
commercial aud manufacturing establishments
Of the North? The case is clear. When tho
shareholders snail be stanpeded all the large
merchants and manufacturers, and all the nu.
mcrous white laboring men whom they employ
must join the stampede. And when, by this
general stampede, the agricultural commercial
and manufacturing interests of the State shall
be equally Frustrated. will the Stale Govern
ment be in condition TO continue payment,
even Of the interest of the State debt?
In short, with tinid and time.serving pro.
crastnation in the van, agricultural CONNER
c;ai and mauufae+ur-e r,i" e" III swell the pro-
cession Of events, and REPUTATION will hnal!y
close I'D the rear. This is what masterly mac
ticity will do for us. From this, prompt re-
sistance 70 Black Republican outrage-pronpt
resistance alcnr can save US. Gud save the
Commonwealth