The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-02-19
Virginians for Virginia

The feeling of the people of Virginia is
politically and morally that of devotion to
their noble State. But while this is pro-
ner and reditable-indeed in accordance
with our highest earthly obligation-there
is vet another phase in which our services
and our influence in every way are due to
Virginia. 1t is that Of advancing her ma
terial wealth and power-increasing her
population, her industry, her commerce,
her manufactures, and the development of
her mineral riches. Until we add to the
performance of our duties this practical
service, we stop far short of our real obli-
cations.
We may love Virginia and admire her !;
we may be ready to die for her; but unless
we increase her physical strength and re-
sources, we fail to give her the means not
only to protect herself, but protect US, and
to secure to ourselves prosperity.
Very briefly let us consider few points
bearing on this view of our duties. 1t is
impossible to make State in the highest
degree powerful in people and resources
unless all the products of her industry and
her mines are converted as nearly as prac-
ticable into the fabrics for which they are
designed, ready for market, within her
own borders. For this requires the pre-
seuce of large body of manufacturers
and artisans, who become consumers, and
who afford markets at the doors OF the
farmer for the products of his labor.
If manufacturing does this, commerce
does the same thing. The establishment
Of large mercantile and manufacturing
communities adds intellectually to the ag
preuate strength, revenues, and resources
of the State. The farmer is enabled greatly
to promote the thrift and certain results
of his own pursuits by increasing the va
riety of his crops-thus insuring hin
against the disaster that might come from
RELYING on one crop, in case of its failure
and finding ready sales and quick returns
for his products. This introduces ane
maintains greatly improved system o
farming--increases the demand for lands
and their value by increasing the farming
population-and beauties and improves
the whole country.
Then, how are we to strengthen Virgins
SO much in any way but thisY Is 1t no
the duty of Virginians to direct theil
whole energies towards building up thei II
own cities3 Do they advance the Interests
of their State by facilitating the trade Will
cities of other States, to the neglect O
our own Will they not by that course
dwarf Virginia and make her forever
tributary State-ministering to the wealth
of other communities while she remain
poor and feeble-with her sparse popuia
tion and exhausted lands?
Here is enough of text for long ser
mon, which every Virginian should address
to himself, as he is a true and loya
man. We can never admit that "Vir
ginians are for Virginia" until they SHOW
some ,capsbility of combination for tn
common welfare of our dear old mother
until they display that lofty patriotism
which will enable them to rise above TIT
pesyisb, nasty, filthy, sectionalisms which
have SO cursed the State in the past, ant
make even little sacrifice for the genera
good. When that is apparent we shall
think that Yirginians are indeed for Vir
ginia, and that they have the spirit ant
wisdom to bring their State to her tru,
position.