The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-10-08
9}itllmond nispattll.
Neutrality-suspicious. $ 1897
THO Future of Richmond.

~
citizens choose. When Yankee, going
f. a newly settled country, finds a suitable
location FOR a town, he immediately sur
views il, marks OF the streets and pnhlic
squares, the localities for public cdiiiccs
and churches, and proceeds to sell lots
and to build the town according to the
map, lust as man would build house
according to the design Of the architect.
His sagacious and energetic system OF adj
vcr,iSng to all people the Incompatible,
grand location and the golden promises o.
The town, vet in embryo, attract and tempt
men from a:ar, and they come to share il
the fruitful results of the enterprise o.
ci;v-making. They come so fast that tn,
town goes up magicallv, and the traveller
who passed the place last year would not
know i: thiS--it will have grown so fast a
70 bear no likeness of what il was. This
mode of town-h,.ld;ng has been greatly
accelerated under the influence of the
railroad system, and many towns larger
than Richmond have been built up in the
Northwest III few years.
Now, We must always bear in mind tina,
there was in times past great difference,
socially, politically, and morally, between
this part OF the Union and that in whicl
these wonders in citymaking have been
accomplished. Slavery was not congcniai
with that sort of commerce and manuac-
trrinr art which makes great cities. The
profits Q: labor where it existed were ab-
.o,hcd in the purchase and maintenance
or slaves and in land, and the products
were such as were rapidly transported
away. leaving little or nothing III the line
of gains for handling 10 the local towns
and cities OF the country Of their produc-
,ion. There were various other clrcum-
stances, which need not he detailed, but
are readily understood, involving lmprovl-
dcncc, waste, and unthrittincSS, which
retarded accumulation Of money III the
region Of slavery and transferred the
main portion of the profits OF slave pro
ducts TO the great northern cities. The
southern capital was ABSORBED III lhc mat
Ter Of cultiva,iDg the staples.
The North had the advantage Oh the cul-
:iyation OF the grain and meat, TO lee con
sumcd at home and by the people of the
region Of slavery. 1t had the advantage
Of the close system OF agriculture, winch
IS SO improving, 50 economical, "illc ours
WAS expansive, expensive, ana destructive
oi the SOIL. Inc proil'S OF TIE Nor'h from
agriculture went 10 improving the JANUS
building manufacturers or railroads, or 70
bank stocks: ours went TO supporting or
buying more negroes. Theirs supported
cities ours exhausted 'Ncin lot all olo
factors Viii say that thcir cap''ai was genie
rally pretty huch &oSorpcu III a0'anceS u
planters.
Ii IS not wonderful that southern cities
exhibited SLOW growth ana an apa'heuc
existence.
But things are chanscd-whercat we do
not mean TO SET up a shout; but as 1t Is
the Will Of God, let Us at least avail our
selves Of AL the advantages derived from
the change.
Have our people yet brought their
minds 10 the reality OF this change, and
the new career that is opened TO this city
~ it! We believe not. 1t is time that
thcy had. This city, under this change, has
the brightest future before it if, indeed,
our community can ONLY so believe and
make a little cycrtion to bring about what
local and natural advantarcs and the So
ci.l revolution that has taken place will
with that effort most assuredly accom-
pIi>h.
It is Of vital Importance chat this belief
should be entertained and this effort should
he made. Natural advantages do not build
ny, cities They are very important but
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