The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-02-28
The New Dispensation- Equality is
Power.

mental ana heroic petiou, aH" w. .a
upon the solid era Of practical ISSUES
nhvS;ca, forces, Weight of weatln, HUN
hsrs and vigorous and discipiihco e., h,
CLOS now have taken the place OF w.
of nnaracfer, rhetorical appears, ioA"
no,;tica, economy, and the enthusiast VIVA,
scntimentaIism Of patriotic in'P"''e> o,..rn.
effect could .JErFERsoNs essays VII ,,Id NO
1900 .xer, now? What respect WOW
,>.id N PATRICK HENRY 10y the P'of
,hnSo davs, Would MApISoNs sea, .'n1
80. If constitutional law hhu iiioie
-n,5,r in a hundred thousand men
IMAM ~ .rsu,11, change vote in Congress
Sou 1,,a;a .xnoupdiucs of law and con-
st;.,.;,py And where would be HARRY
of THE WEST" now, with his turning APP
meals for union, harmony, and concession,
for the sake of the Union?
Not one Of these great worthless would
command respect in these days. The nth
rate politicians Of these times, whose forte
Is partisan strategy and trickery, can exert
much greater influence than could they
were they now alive. The cunning de-
claimer, whose game is to marGuyre and
deceive with plausible clap-trap and hypo-
critical professions, ard to marshal The
interests Of sections on his side, would beat
these departed great men and give them
large odds in the game.
This Is very natural, and should not sur
prise us. The change in the genius OF the
nation-the establishment Of the Union OF
solidity, Capitalization, and force, in lieu
of that based on State consent and suffer
ance, along with lofty independence, chiv-
airy, and patriotism-not only banishes
the old ideas and sentiments, but the men
that dourishcd under them. They could
now neither have influence nor distinction
such as they once had.
We do not mean to say that there is no
such thing as chivalry now. Far from it !;
but the predominating principle now is
force. The "iron clad" is the representa-
tive of these days, the old wooden frigate
Of the days that are gone. The positive
and immediate agencies Of steam and tele-
graph, and railway, illustrate the qnickness
and force Of these times, and the horse
stands forth as the living ambassador from
those that are gone never to return.
Now, then, to apply these reflections
practically to our days, can we trust to any
thing but the solid weight of numbers and
the power Of wealth for protection in the
Government? And ought we not to direct
our whole mental capacity and our ener-
gies to the enterprises that shall develope
our natural resources, increase our popu-
lation and wealth, and secure to us that
equality In the Government and its benefits
of which MIGHT" is the best guarantee?
Looking to Virginia, we may truly say
that she is providenlially endowed. and
for the sake of the security and endurance
of this Union. she is providentially located.
For her own protection, she has the means
of wealth and the favorable climate that
will invite population and impart to man
the best stimulus, rs we'll as the best OPP
portunity for the cXertion Of his industry
and cunning in his pursuits the year round.
For the Union, Virginia (and the States i'll
her latitude) oilers a climate that eXertS
gentle influence upon the mind, encour-
ages philosophic studies, nullliies prelu-
dices, and subducs sectional rancours;
thus making her a tit national altar upon
which the extremes may offer up their ami
mosities, and from which they may draw
new inspirations of national charity and
forbearancc-whcrc they may learn the
true wisdom that in mutual fOrbear-
ance there is unity, and that in equality
lies strength. Virginia offers furthermore
to the Union the resources of greatest
power mineral wealth. eligible lines OF
communication between the centre Of the
Union and the Atlantic by the latitude
most favorable 10 active commerce and the
constant exercise OF the physical energies
Of man. Morally, geographically, and for
her natural wealth, then, she offers the
theatre for great action by the General Gov
eminent for the strengthening and perpetu-
ating the Union, and there could be no
policy more wise than that which would
make her prosperous, populous, and pow
erful. That policy would do much to band
the Union firmly, make all sections content.
ed, and unite the people so thoroughly IN
devotion to the common welfare that the
national alarm of danger from without
would summon in all instant Il million of
men to the field. And when they were
summoned, the same policy would have
secured the sinews and munitions Of war,
so that this great force could be used with
the highest efficiency in the field.
While the Government, if it is wise, vii!
direct its attention to this middle latitude
for these reasons, the nation, in its new
phase, can only achieve jts greatest power
and reuown by equality amongst the
States, not only politically, but CONNER
cially-i. e., as far as the natural advantages
Of each make that practicable. There
should, for instance, be no obstruction, no
delay In intercourse, social and CONNER
cial, anywhere. The rapid mode of com.
! munication now prevalent ought to be en-
J joyed by all the States, we repeat, with
a such notifications as climate or country
may require. There should be complete
intercourse by rail and otherwise at reason.
able fares !; and freightS should have the
option Of taking any route unobstructed
by odious determinations.
1t is only by establishing, in this material
and money getting age, 4 thorough inter.
lively and permeatiug condition of mutual
interests between communities, that the
solid strength Of the Union can be best
promoted. Mutual interests engender mu.
tual sympathles, and then, again, content.
lnent and thrift. Of course Government
under which this benefcent state Of the
nublic economy exists will command the