The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1865-12-28
LET US LOOK TO THE DEVELOP
MENT OF THE RESOURCES OF
VIRGINIA

the Virginia statesman, is the development of
the great natural and long buried resources of
the State. Recent investigations by one of
the most scientific men of the State, disclose
the fact, that she possesses beneath her soil
the wealthiest and most productive mines in
the world; and it must be apparent, upon re-
Election, to any practical mind, that she is
blessed with commercial and manufacturing
advantages, equal, if not superior, to any
State in the Union. Untold millions await
the hand of industry and enterprise; and the
hammer and chisel of the idle mechanic only
slumbers upon the bench, because her people
either do not appreciate these great facts or
allow themselves to be unduly discouraged by
events over which they can have no possible
control. Gold, silver, copper, iron, lead and
coal--in fact, everything which can beget
wealth-are found in great abundance, and of
superior quality Almost every county in the
Commonwealth possesses these natural advan-
tages to more or less extent; and we may
safely assert, that Virginia is, without doubt,
the wealthiest State in the country. In re-
gard to her manufacturing interests, no State
holds out brighter prospects. The water
power of Richmond and Lynchburg is equal
to any in the United States; and these two
cities must finally become the great centre of
Southern manufactures.
Nor are her manufacturing privileges far
behind her commercial Norfolk is noted as
one of the finest harbors in the world, and
proper line of railway communication with
the South, would soon result in the establish
ment of direct line between this port and
foreign countries. Nor is there, as many sup
pose, any conflict of interests between this
city and Richmond. The one cannot posi-
bly, retard the progress of the other; but each
must necessarily be a help to the other. The
one is destined to be commercial, the other
a manufacturing city.
All that is needed for the accomplishment of
these great ends, is a progressive spirit of
energy and invincible perseverance The
spirit of immigration must be fostered and en-
couraged: "a liberal system of internal i'm
prsvements must mark the policy Of the
State the laborer protected in his rights and
every Involvement to industry held out.
Let the Legislature cease to discuss matters
which can only tend to agitate and ALLEVIATE
the country-to divide public opinion. widen
the breach and lessen the probabilities of sue
cessful reconstruction. And in a spirit of en-
lightened stasesmanship, wise philanthrophy
and generous magnanimity. set to work to re-
store Virginia to her ancient position in the
Federal Union, and develope her great natural
advantages and mineral wealth. Nor must
we forget the educational interests Of the
State. Hitherto the system has been imper-
feet, inefficient and by no means general. In
many cases, her free schools have been placed
under the control of men utterly devoid Of
moral character; and where the scholar should
have received mental training, he has only
acquired immoral habits, knowledge is
power" and education opens the doors to hap
niness and influence; and the dark clouds of
ignorance must not be permitted to obsbure
the light of civilization or retard the progress
of events The door of the school-house must
be made familiar to the tread of the poor
mans as well as the rich mans son. In min
cling with the masses, we discover the lament
able existence OF wide-extended ignorance !;
and we hold it to be good philosophy when
we attribute the degeneracy Of the times and
much of the contamination which now befogs
the atmosphere of the Old Dominion, to the
ignorance which pervades the country. We
know of nothing that so much retards the
prosperity or increases the crime OF commu-
nifty as a neglect of education.
In regard to her political situation, in the
present indefinite uncertainty which hangs
around the administration of the government
we will indulge in only few practical obser-
yations. The reconstruction policy of the
President-so Just and generous in its concep-
ton and operation--gains ground daily upon
the affections and common sense OF the peo-
nile. and promises to be richly successful In
the end. The Radicals are losing caste, and
must soon find themselves shivering in the
cold, torturing wind of disapprobation. The
Neros, Calijulas and Catalines of the country
the Summers, Stevens and butlers-must
soon yield to the pressure of returning justice
and magnanimity; and when the issue Is
made conservatism and truth must triumph
over mean and despicable radicalsm, having
for its object the destruction of the country