The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-02-06
Tho State of Affairs.

stand the situation, we must LOOK Dach
little and upon the circumstances grow
ine out of events past and now happening,
as well as upon our knowledge of the natu-
raj course of things, form our opinions and
our hopes Of the future.
The war left Virginia utterly PROSTATE.
She had been the theatre of that war, and
her substance was eaten up, her forests de-
stroyed, her houses and fences burned, her
arable land scanned and ditched by the
armies, and stock and cattle stolen and
consumed. The main event of the war
disorganized her labor; and this was the
browning injury. For people to recupe-
rate from such condition even with re-
liable and well-regulated industry would
have been slow work but to do SO with
disorganized labor, whose efficiency was
curtailed at least two-thirds, was an IN
dertaking infinitely more arduous.
Since the war, then, the productions OF
agriculture lave been exceedingly small
for the population in Virginia-so large q
portion has been idle, and so irregular has
Been the labor Of the greater portion who
worked at all. The surplus for market
has probably not been more than sufficient
to pay for the labor employed.
As the only sourc es of wealth are the
products of tho farms and the mines, and
what of enhancement in their value may
result from converting them into manufac-
lures, it is very clear that very little
wealth has been accumulated since the
war. Here in Richmond we have the
illustration. The accumulation here has
been exceedingly small fortunes have GER
sainly not been made here; for there has
been nothing out of which to make them.
So, when we see how dull is the aspect
of things, and hear of failure, We
should calmly consider that they are not
only natural but inevitable results of the
war and the measures of Congress now in
process of accomplishment.
But having come to this point, let us
consider the prospects. We know that
Virginia is more bountifully endowed with
mineral riches and water-power than any
other State in the Union-that she occu.
pies the most favorable latitude for human
comfort and the achievements Of human
industry on the globe. And we know that
advantages such as hers will invite immi-
grafton and attract the investments Of
capitalists. We know that slavery, which
was unfavorable to manufactures, is abol-
ished, and will no longer obstruct enter
prise in that direction. And we should
have unwavering faith in the future OF
such a State: State whose sources OF
immigration are in all directions, and
whose fields of occupation for industry
and enterprise of all kinds are inexhausti-
BILE.
Now, nothing stands between the pre-
sent and this glorious future but the po-
litical transition-state in which we are
rather helplessly placed. But this must
soon pass away, and society must be lett
free to employ the agencies within it for
its own protection and the promotion OF
it's own welfare. When that time comes,
we all know what sort of people we have
here in Virginia, and the man who feels
want of reliance in them is indeed man
of "little faith" and can put but small
trust even in himself.
Imagine an earthquake in o country
which has thrown down houses and very
| much changed the face of the earth. Dis
order and confusion would of course en-
sue. Men would be deprived OF shelter,
rogues would swarm through the land,
wild animals would venture out from the
fens and forests, and make their dens
amidst the ruins; even gorillas and mon
keys would disport themselves in halls
once sacred to the most solemn purposes Of
civilization.
A community visited by such calaml'
ty would be not unlike our own hapless
population. They would have to go to
work patiently and clear away the debris
of the earthquake, and patiently restore
their family misunderstanding the while
to produce the necessaries of life. Gradu'
ally would they replace their shelters and
restore their lands; and as they grew IL
strength and means they would once more
rear the temples which are the marks o.
their civilization, virtue, and religion. III
the mean time order would have beer
steadily improving, rogues decreasing witt
the diminishing plumber and the increased
security of property, and the monsters
who had ventured into the heart of ciVili'
zation when the land was in ruins would
have crept back to their native haunt'
until the last had disappeared.
So we shall emerge from trouble and
prostration into a condition Of peace
order, and prosperity. And with the aids
of the mighty engineries of the age il
which we live this will be the work OF al
exceedingly brief period of time.
Masonic ADDREss.-Masonic addresse:
are, generally speaking, very dull and un-
Il A.-r-.