Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1865-09-05
OUR STATE REsOURCES-THEIR DE-
VELOPMENT.

Whilst we are busily engaged in discuss
ing the merits of immigration schemes, we
should not forget the important questions
which grow out of the development of the
resources of Virginia In encouraging the
introduction Of immigrants within our bor-
ders, we have no intention merely to increase
our population, but, whilst increasing it, to
use the new element to develop to their fullest
extent the resources which nature has so
bounteously conferred upon our State. We
have learnt to our cost the sad lessons of Leg>
lect. We have chosen to look upon labor in
this country with anything but feeling of
respect The laborer did not ENJOY the Dig
nifty of the successful tradesman. It but
suthced that he was an operative to deprive
him of those social amenities which we prod.
igally extended to less useful, although, per-
haps, more brilliant classes of the communi-
ty. We are now, however, being gradually
-vesned from these popular errors; and it is
time that we should be. It is cur mission to
elevate and dignity labor, for labor is the cor
ner-stone of the power of a nation. 1t is the
hidden hand of the smart laborer, which
builds up the fabric of national grandeur, or
| dynastic splendors. The slightest disturbance
among the operative classes, is felt even in
| the highest grade Of the social compact.
When the labor system of nation IS des-
troyed or reyolutionized, the nation itself is
PROSTATE if not utterly destroyed. We need
not go far to borrow illustrations. The con-
dltion of our section but too sadly exempli-
fes this fact Our labor system having been
radically changed, it be comes an important
question to find out the proper elements of
reorganization which should be introduced.
What We want here, in Virginia, especially,
to suppIant our late system of labor, is an in
tellgenf element which can be used to devel-
op fully. not only our natural resources, but
also our industrial resources. We want ex-
perienced labor, which we can only obtain
by means of extensive immigration. We
have countless mines to exploitate, new chan
nels of communication to establish, canal
systems to complete and perfect, manufac-
lures to establish, 0or Virginia is destined to
become the great manufacturing State Of the
South,) trade to develop, and trade of very
different character from the mere simulacrum
of that name which sways at present; and it
viii be apparent to az who are at all familiar
with our past system that we could not find
in it the very first elements Of success.
If, therefore, We turn our attention to the
introduction of immigrants, let it be our aim
to secure that class of immigrants that are
possessed Of not only natural aptitude for the
character Of labor that we need, but that
have also experience; and that, to as great
an extent as possible, would be a congenial
clement in our midst. These are suggestions
worthy of consideration, and some active
measures should be adopted towards organi-
zing associations founded upon these views.
We have no time to 2ose, and the machinery
Of organization should be put in motion at
once. Let our people begin the good work,
for il cannot be State measure, as Virginia
possesses no pubic domain Let our capi-
talists, or those who can command capital,
inaugurate the system. and we viii soon be
! called upon to record Its good fruitage.-
Rtch. Bulletin.