The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-01-30
MONDAY EVENING, JAN. so, 1871.
our FUTuRE, AS TT MAY BE MADE

with hopes that will surely be realized, IT
our people but interpret Alright the signs
of the present aud improve the great OPP
portunities held out to them. The tide in
their affairs is now setting in, and they
must not let it flow out again, and leave
them high and dry upon the sandy shore
of despair. Neglect it not, but take it at
the food, if you would float this good old
ship of State out upon full sea of pros
perity. 1t is not often that State has
such an opportunity presented as is now
offered to Virginia, by the Pennsylvania
Central railway company, which is almost
buckling fortune on our backs. Blind
and needless viii we be-yea, criminal, -
if we commit the objectionable folly
the stupid blunder--of rejecting the hand
that is now extended to save US from ruin,
and restore us to peace, plenty and pros
perity.
As we have already said, we do not give
this great corporation any more credit for
disinterestedness than any other souless
body of the kind is entitled to. But what
matters their motive, If we can profit even
through their selfshness. We are all alike
selfish. Each works for the attainment of
his own purpose; but it is happy pro-
vision of the great unwritten law of our
nature, which eompels Us to be dependent
upon one another, even when we are most
selfish in our aims. The capitalist is sell
fish, and would keep all the profits of his
investment for his own use, if he could but
compel labor to work for him without pay
but as labor is also selfish, capital is forced
to share its earnings with muscle and
brains. So, too, would railroad COM
panies everywhere, aud all other corpora
tons, sefshly enjoy all the fruits of their
Investments, and keep all the benefits to
themselves, were they not compelled,
through their dependence for support, to
share those fruits and benefits with the
public.
The Pennsylvania Central may be "after
a good thing" and we have no doubt they
know its full value. They know that it is
worth all the efforts they are making; but
they cannot make it a source OF profit to
themselves, without also making it
source of profit to all the people of the
State. Their success will depend upon
the prosperity of the people; and it will,
therefore, be to their interest to advance
that prosperity. One is dependent upon
the other, and both are equally interested,
while both are acting from motives alike
selfish.
Tho State of Pennsylvania has popu-
lation of over 3,50O,00o inhabitants, who,
for morality, industry and all the highest
social attributes are the peers of any peo-
pie on the face of the EARTH They are, we
declare without fear of being charged with
egotism, the most peacefully disposed, con-
sentative, liberal, kind-hearted, just and
unprejudiced people in the entire country
They can go anywhere, and have the good
sense to assimilate themselves to the habits
and ideas of the people among whom they
select to reside, and are never guilty of the
stupidity of trying to force other people to
adopt their ways, habits, customs and
opinions. They would not come to Vir-
ginia and seek to compel her people to be-
come Pennsylvaniaus--alt although there is
SO little difference between them, it would
not be very difficult; but they would come
here with the honest and settled purpose
of making themselves and their children
Virginians
There is now no real cause of quarrel
between the people of these two States
and there are no prejudices or hatreds to
be overcome or outgrown. They have
lived in sympathy side by side since the
dawn of our history; and even the blood
that was commingled at Gettysburg, will
only serve to cement their friendship, and
re-unite them in still closer ties of friend
ship through all the coming future. We
speak this as a Pennsylvania, and in all
honesty of heart, with sincere desire that
there shall be peace and friendship be :.
tween the people Of our native and the
people of cur adopted State, and that our
conduct towards one another may serve as
blessed and fruitful example to our more
widely separated sisters.
Virginia and Pennsylvaaia--so akin in
origin, history, manners, customs, feelings
and all the best traits of American char
acter, that the closest observer fails to dis
tipguish the people of the one from the
people of the other, or to perceive any
material points Of variance even in their
modes of thought-can and must act as
mediators in this family quarrel, and
endeavor TO restore that union of hearts
and of hands which our fathers established,
and whose memories we will most honor
by making perpetual.
Virginia, with territory nearly as great
as Pennsylvania, and more abundant re-
sources, has not one-third of the popnIa-
ton of that State, and not one-tenth part
OF her wealth. Now, why may we not have