The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-02-25
Virginia must have Great Cities.

BY every CONSIDERATION OF natural re-
sources-access to ship-bearing waters
easy routes to the region of greatest pro-
duction, Of most rapid growth, and OF fu-
ture empire: the West-and that just
mean of temperature which favors indus
try in the greatest degree-Virginia should
have upon her tide-waters and seaboard
very great cities engaged in mighty COM
MERGE with the world.
1t is only by establishing such cities
within her own borders that she can attain
the highest degree of power. If she main
tains upon her own territory the men en-
gagged in the forwarding Of her commerce,
and in supplying in return her citizens
with what they want of foreign produc-
ton, she will have just as many more of
population as the numbers so engaged
amount to. She will have the advantage
of the capital thus employed-its effect
upon the value of property-the further
influence upon the value of property from
the wants of the com ercial population
and yet again, the invaluable benefits to
the agricultural community of bringing the
consumption of their products nearer to
their own doors, increasing the variety of
their crops, and afording ready sale and
quick returns for all they produce.
So with that other great means of intro
ducing and maintaining large communi-
ties to swell the power and revenues of
the State, and increase the demand at
home for agricultural products: manufac.
turing. But this branch of industry does
better even than commerce. 1t requires
more people, creates greater demand
upon agriculture, does more towards en-
HANGING the strength of the State, and Sc
cures to the State the large profits grow
ing out of converting the raw material
into manufactured fabrics. All of the
large aggregate which represents the value
added to the raw material by its manufac-
ture remains in the State and becomes
part of the general wealth.
Thus We see what We gain by fostering
our own cities. In proportion as they
grow will their benefits be diffused through
every part Of the whole State; whereas,
if they are allowed to stand still or de-
cline, the industry of the State will be
tributary to the support of the CONNER
cial and manufacturing communities of
other States. Improvements will be slow
and meagre trade dull and Improbable,
conducted by hucksters and drummers for
opulent outside communities; land will be
low; enterprise torpid; the State apathetic;
its revenues poor; and its entire condition
and prospects discouraging and desperate
when compared with neighboring States.
She would, indeed, be like conquered
princess dragged by the car of triumph of
the conquerors of the commercial world,
and, worse than theirs, her public humilia-
tion would be daily repeated and con-
tinuous for enduring time!
These are considerations that should
arouse any people to q sense of their
solemn obligations to themselves and their
State. Virginia has been cursed by Sec
tionalism engendered and cherished by
the system of improvements heretofore
pursued by the State. 1t was vulgarly
known as a system Of " log-rolling."
Votes of counties and towns were ex-
changed for consideration. Hamlets and
villages and cross-road drinking shops
became high-contracting parties, and to
carry any great measure, they had to be
satisfied with turnpike or railroad ap-
preparation. These communities became
extrayagsntly pulled up in proportion to
their insigniacance, and dealt with great
schemes IS though each had been New
York city. Itwould have been amazing
if, in policy such as this, the great inte-
rests of the State had not been dwarfed
end lost sight of in the rage to make
magnificent city of every cross-road.
We are experiencing now the sad effects
of this .woful system. The best interests
of the State have been disregarded by
public sentiment demoraised by vain,
coneeited, and ridiculous individualism
and the vital resources Of the Common
wealth have been bartered to foreign COM
munities for the deceptive benefits of a
railway whose trains drop little of their
dust as they pass, while the villagers daily
stare at them with open mouths until they
are out Of sight!
Is 1t not possible to arouse our people