The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-02-09
THURSDAY EVENING, FEB. 9, 1871.
sOUTHWARD--THE COURSE OF
EMPIRE.

continent should be stayed, and South
ern direction given to it. In self-defence
the Atlantic States will soon be compelled
to make concerted and determined effort
to prevent their depletion of bone and
muscle. East of the Allegheny noun
tans, on what we call the Atlantic slope,
extending from the St. Lawrence to the
Gulf of Mexico, and including the cold
thirteen States" we have rich soil enough
to sustain in comfort and abundance at
least hundred millions of people,-and
we ought to make an effort to populate it,
by preventing the constant drain of our
own people West, and turning the stream
of emigration, both foreign aud domestic,
Southwark. Hitherto we seem to have
only thought of spreading ourselves over
as wide an extent of territory as possible,
without regard to the interests of the
country, or the social comfort and home
happiness of the people.
Emigrants from Europe come to New
York. They all land there, and will con-
tinue to do so until they are advised that
there are other seaports in the United
States-a fact of which they are now in
total ignorance. From that city they find
cheap and prompt means of transportation
to the "far West" There are no lines Of
cheap and prompt communication with the
South for them, even if they desired to
come this way. Everything goes West
ward 1t is the same with the native people
of New England, New York and the Mid
die States. They sell out their homesteads
and go West, because they can readily get
there by rail, and are certain of welcome,
and of finding cheap and good lands.
They would come South, if the railroads
in this direction passed by their doors, as
they do going West, and the rates of trans
portation were the same. They would
certainly prefer the South, not only on
account of our more generous climate and
soil, but because they would be nearer a
market for the productions of their indus
try.
Well, we ought to try to people this
Atlantic slope-these old original thirteen
colonies, with desirable and industrious
inhabitants, at least half as thickly as
France is peopled, and thereby insure our
ascendency in the Union. 1t would both
strengthen and enrich us, while it would
add to the happiness of the people.
From North to South, from the frigid to
the torrid, through the temperate zone,
our people may pass and repass, tarrying
for a season in either as may suit their
health, convenience, or pleasure, now in
Florida, then in Virginia, and in mid
summer refreshing themselves amid the
hills of New England. We should thus
change the whole social structure of the
country and completely nationalize and
harmonize the people. They would become
Gas one"-by constant association-in
manners, thought, custom and feelings.
The first step in this great work of
turning the course of empire to the South
ward will undoubtedly be taken the mo-
ment the bill to charter the Alexandria !
and Richmond railway company passes
the General Assembly. That road will
open up a way for the migration of
thousands in this direction, who are only |
waiting for speedy and cheap means of
transportation to bring their families, their
focks and herds, their household effects
and implements of husbandry, to Virginia;
and they will not come until we can fur
nish them this direct means. They will
bring with them capital and industry, in
telligence and steady habits, and leaving
their native prejudces behind, will be-
come in reality Virginians.
When the road now proposed. connect
ing Washington with Richmond shall have
been completed, we will have an airline
through from Boston to the extremity of
The peninsula of Florida, in direct course
for Cuba, and within sixty miles of Ha-
vana, with branches breaking off in every
direction from the main trunk. Over this,
1
not only will we receive immigration and
capital from the Northern States and Eu-
.ope, but the travel that will crowd the
ears passing through every hour in the
lay and night, and the freight going and
will be source of untold
wealth to the State. People will go South
n winter, and North in summer, and as
Virginia boasts a climate SO evcn-tempered
II the year round, has the finest springs !
nd most beautiful and interesting scenery
n the country, and people famed for ,
why may she not become the t
most attractive spot on the Atlantic slope, !
whether Tor permanent residence or occa-
ional resort?
Railroads to the West carry off from us
ur young men and women, who never re- !
urn. That great valley swallows up all
yho pass through the mountain gateways,
nd we see them DO more. All the tracks
lade are going into the cave of the mon
Ter, but there are none coming out--all r
"a TOO, n ra in tha dirnntion-n,,lId reefio;n | q