The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-01-12
True Field of Southern Enterprise.

For many years the leading intellects OF the
Northern States have, with few exceptions,
evinced little ambition for public life. Com
mercial enterprise has offered more brilliant
rewards; and where fame has been the anilna
ting motive, eminence at the bar, rather than
Congress, has been the object Of ambition.
Whilst national reputation is more difficult to
obtain in professional arena, it is proof of
merit when il is obtained, and is more lasting.
1t does not involve any sacrifice of principle or
independence TO secure popular favor Its
pecuniary rewards are sufficient, and more per-
manent than those of q per diem. II preserves
to man his self-respect, and frees him from
dependence upon others for promotion and
peace of mind Political life, even TO
the few men of superior merit who
devote themselves to it, is not Il bed Of
roses. 1t often involves the injury of per-
sonal fortune, and, when most useful to
the people, is least appreciated. The greatest
of American statesmen never received the
browning mark of public gratitude. Their
purposes for their country and for themselves
had alike failed, and the glory Of their fame
streams up, like beacon light among the
breakers, to warn other adventurous mariners
of the hazards and perils of the political
ocean.
But the loss to community by the absorb
ton of its best energies in political pursuits
is even greater and more to be deprecated
than that which may be entailed upon lndi-
viduals. The South has suffered more from
the devotion of her first intellects to polti-
cal field than from almost any other cause
The learned professions have been considered
here but stepping stones to the more conspicu.
Gus honors of the Federal arena. Her illus
trious sons have neglected the development OF
their own section to manage the affairs OF
the nation. They have furnished to the ma
ton its greatest presidents, orators and
statesmen. They have governed it for nearly
three fourths of its existence. 1t is true, the
nation Jared very well in their hands. 1t be-
came, under their sagacious and energetic gui-
dance, one of the most powerful and prospe-
rous countries of modern times. The rapidlty
of its material development was unequalled Ill
the history of empires. But whilst the ma
ton was thriving at this wonderful rate, the
South was falling behind other sections in
population and wealth. The master minds
which might have built up its fortunes were
busy in building up the Republic. If half the
talent and energy which the South has exhi-
bited upon the Federal arena had been dis.
played in the development Of her own re-
sources, the Southern States would now be
the chief hives of commerce and manufactures
on this continent.
It will not prove an irreparable calamity If
circumstances now compel us to abandon the
proHtless pursuit of Federal politics and turn
our attention TO plain and practical means OF
improving our fallen fortunes. The avenues
OF industry in every department of peaceful
and productive enterprise are still open, and
VIII demand, for years TO come, the exercise of
all our powers OF body and mind. The best
advice we can give TO Southern men is TO " 60
In, J" and work. wherever there is an opening
and where there Is not, to make one. The
efforts OF each individual to improve his own
condition will soon repair the losses of the
war. Nor can the loftiest genius and most
aspiring ambition Of the South find any field
OF exertion more appropriate, dignifed and
noble than the conservation Of It's talents 10
the grand object OF developing the vast and
varied resources Of this beautiful land-.the
garden spot of the world, a