Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1868-02-25

| the face of the opposing sentiments OF some In
dividuals, not of the Board, who preferred t.
maintain an attitude of reserve toward tn
North, these gentlemen, within six months o
the end of the war, spontaneously took the de
cisive step Of resuming the old relations of in
timacy with the American Bible Society, ane
| it's friends in the North. M
Upon my arrival in Richmond, the Managers
of the Virginia Society sought an interview, ir
| Society were fully unfolded, with respect es
pecially to the distribution of the Scriptures
among the colored people, The Board imme
diately made proposals to the Society in New
| York, which resulted in my being at once,
jointly commissioned by the two societies to
superintend this work in Virginia. Under this
commission, | have now been laboring for more
than two years. | haye repeatedly traversed
the entire extent of the State, from Winches-
ter, on the North, to Bristol, in the Southwest,
and from the Western line to Norfolk and the
tunity of observation, in the freedom of the as
sociations Of travel in the confidence of the
family circle in the gatherings of literary fes-
tivals and in the deliberations of ecclesiastical
bodies; and feel, therefore, some confidence In
the adequacy of the grounds of my conclusions
l do not pretend to much skill in Judging the
character of the soil &c. can only say, that
[ am continually impressed with the extent and
variety of the undeveloped resources of the
country, Agricultural, Mineral, and Manufac-
turing. Particularly have | been interested In
the rich resources of the Valley of Virginia,
throughout its extent, the variety and beauty
Of its scenery, the salubritty Of the climate, the
fertility of the soil, and its adaptation to the
production of corn and the cereals, and fruits
and to the purposes of sheep and cattle gra-
zing, and the products of the dairy. Already
the home of cultivated and hospitable popu-
lation, it is destined. | am confident, to become
at no distant day, one of the most populous and
attractive regions on the continent. H
At the other extremity of the State, Norfolk
is the entrepot of an extensive region, ira
versed by railroads and navigable rivers, with
a soil eminently adapted to that truck culture,
by which New Jersey is enriched, whilst the
climate gives it several weeks advantage over
that State, in the markets of Washington, Bal
timore, Philadelphia and New York, to all of
which it has easy access by water. 1t must
soon become one of the wealthiest regions In
the country.
As to your suggestion of fears that Northern
men would not be welcome or even safe; team
but excite smile among those who know the
facts am confident that there is not, in the
land, at this time, more thoroughly law abb
ding people than those of Virginia. Since
coming to the State, haye met with many
Northern men, visiting it for the purposes Of
business and of pleasure-men of every class,
and every phase of politics. | have never my
SELF for a moment, felt apprehensive OF insult,
even; much less, of danger to life or limb, on
sectional or political grounds; nor have l met
with, nor heard of the man who has. In fact,
my observation corresponds with a published
remark of the Rev. DIR. Sears, the General
Agent of the Peabody Fund. II hear much,
from the Northern papers, about Southern ex-
element. see but very little of it. l find
very little, except in the customs OF the people,
to remind me that am Northern man." In
fact, saw, in the course of few days visit to
the North, last Summer, greater amount OF
political excitement, than in all my residence
and travels here. What the people here are
longing for, is the opportunity OF rest and
quiet, to enable them to restore their dilapida-
ted fortunes.
Men who should now come to Virginia, for
the purpose of trading in politics. or whilst
cherishing feelings of hostility toward the .peo-
pie among whom they are living, and | have
met with such, would be perfectly safe from
personal violence; but would, undoubtedly, be
''severely let Alone But those who come, in
the spirit of peace and fraternity, expecting to
identify themselves with the interests and seek
the welfare of the people and the State will, l
feel very sure, be received with a hearty wei
come, and cordial God-speed
Very respectfully yours,
SAMUEL j. BAIRD.
JAMES. NJ. ABRAHAM, ESQ.,, Flat Woods,
Favette cO Pa