The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1865-12-11
Ths Work Of . Reoons tructton. /"

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The Work Of :" Reconstruction"
! White there Il In progress the work Of po-
httcal " reconstruction, Of the late dismem-
beged United States. there Il another kind
81 work 81 uretonsyF1csion- or e purely
local character, OF the utmost importance 70
the communities interested. The sooner they
address themselves TO their several under
taktnEt, the better. In the war, the means OF
the country have been nearly exhausted but
that which consists in the energy and industry
of men, and their integrity, which can never
be alienated or robbed, and which - tine
surest basis OF credit and resource, as wei TO
nations and communities rs individuals, Is
stu left our people, and can ana sho"id be
employed actively ,xas,s.gasz
THIS city has a heavier labor before 1t than
probably any Southern town, owing to the
destruction Of SO large part of its business
district. In this way, not only is the work for
il to do increased. but the means from taxa
ton seriously diminished. Rightly viewed.
orr misfortunes impose upon the duty Of
sxertioa Incorporation 10. the demands they
create. 10 stimulate the enterprise of our
corporate authorities, they may feel assured
that the great revolution just accomplished,
whatever of evils il may have brought upon
the country, will certainly ultimately largely
increase the aggregate wealth and population
Of this city. Whatever of outlay wise ex
readitars for. the improvement Of this city
may involve will, therefore, be easily paid a
q day not very remote. There need be no hest
,ation on the Part Of the city authorities TO
proceed at once to the work plainly pointed
cut to them.
One Of their most immediate duties, and
which cannot, with economy or prudence, be
postponed, is the widening and grading of GER
tain streets. In a few months the vacant lots
which now are in the lines of several much
needed Improvements, will be built upon, and
then. if condemned, the cost Of the houses will
swell damages enormously. 1t would. too.
subject owners Of property to inconeeiNahie
Inconvenience and loss to grade s'Es~ss after
their buildings are finished. Indeed, We i'm
agine the city would have idea OF under
taking such IN improvement then: and We
should have 10 conduct o,ar trade sor snothc.
half century, perhaps, with aii the incsonve
niences Of bad grades. These and many other
matters that readily suggest themselves, re-
quire the prompses, attention. The lew state
Of the Treasury is not a sufficient excuse for
leaving things where they &C. proper sys
TEN OF Improvement would bestow immediate
advantages, and so promote the general pros
perity as to return q rich compensation to
both citizens and corporation.
The State and the people of Virginia have
herculean labors before them but the stimn-
lants to exertiOn are in proportion to the
magnitude of the things that are to be
done. The people have to change their sys
TENS of culture they have to diminish the
area of tillage, and to do what they do more
carefully and more economically. They will
h r;
70 keep them better. Many will have to di-
minish the extent of their household, to COM
paettheir Offices, to keep their gear and agri-
cultural implements carefully sheltered, and
10 attend in person all the work and move
liient on their farms nay, to do small
d'aon't of it hemsalces. Many will, we regret
to say, have to be more economical and less
ospitable-to live palmer, less extravagantly,
and to entertain fewer guests. BY selling
their excess Of land and resorting to these
means. they will live quite free of debt and
(,lnlndependently: PsThSF Sshey will have
more cash than they were wont in days gone
INV In have in hand. It is true they may be.
..o,n, more selfish, and less genial; but then,
uron this kind of economy through the coun-
try. there will be a larger aggregate yield, and
a larger aggregate surplus to support and
maintain a very much increased population
There will pe, indeed under this state OF things,
more ueople and more general wealth, but less
happiness-less individuality and personal
dignity of character. But since old things
have passed away, and never to be recalled, we
should, as wise and true men, make the best
of the situation
Virginia, in her Legislative and Executive
Departments, has to put her shoulder to the
wheel and push the car of State out of the
slough into which it is sunk. The most lib
eral policy and the most energetic measures
should be adopted, in order to invite capital
to the State and develop her resources. Eir-
ginia is the richest State in the Union. The
fertility Of her soil, the variety and extent of
her mineral resources, and the abundance of
her water power, excite the wonder Of every
intelligent Traveller. BY a wise employment
of these great natural gifts, and the inviting
ofemigration and capital to assist in the work,
in year or two we shall have gone far to-
wards lifting up State and people from the
condition of prostration in which the war left
them, and to restore the vast wealth which
that war and it's disastrous termination swept
away from us.
We must extend our improvements and in
crease our manufactures, and the Government
policy should be as liberal as possible with re-
gard tn them We must have, in Short wise,
economical and thorough tillage, our mines
must be developed, and our railroads and ca
nails extended and multiplied. Money will
fiow in as soon as we show the proper dispo
sitions-so will population.
This is the reconstruction to which we
are urged, by every consideration, to direct now
all our efforts.
Tho denleanor of the people Of Virginia,
since the downfall of the Confederacy, ought to
challenge the admiration even of their enemies
Overwhelmed at first with amazement and
grief, they soon recovered the natural compo-
sure and elasticity Of their character, and,
Ike a stout ship in 4 storm, bowed gracefully