The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-02-10
sPxRxT OF TIE PRESS.
Editorial Opinions Of the Leading Journals
upon Current Topics Compiled Every
Day for the Evening Telegraph.
SHALL WE ADMIT CAPITAL INTO
VIRGINIA, OR NOT2


We have been clamoring for the advent of
labor and capital in this State ever since the
war. The Legislature has been invoked,
and every village has been placarded with
the signs of land agents inviting Northern
men 10 come down here in our delclous
climate and invest their money. Half the
FARMS in the State are fora sale, and half OF
our farmers could be relieved of their debts
if they could find purchasers for one-half of
their lands We have advertised in vain, and
the cry for relief even in the shape of repu-
diation has gone up from many quarters on
the part of q distressed and impoverished
people. -,
Suddenly an immense corporation, with
millions in it's coffers-the greatest railroad
power in the United States-knocks at the
door, and offers to pour a portion of its
treasure into our lap-and 10 and behold!
many of the very men who have been loud
est in crying out for developing our indus
trial interests through the introduction OF
Northern money and Northern muscle, raise
the alarm, and try to turn the key against
the great capitalists who stand waiting to be
admitted!
What chance is there of introducing eapi-
tai into Virginia if we are to reject it when it
is offered? Oh, but it is said, "these people
want to control our property" Do you then
expect Mr. A. Il. Stewart or Mr.. Aspinwall to
osSe voat their money!? Did you suppose they
were going to make us a present of their
stocks and bonds OF course they expect
some sort of return for their Investment,
when they make it. If they buy our lands,
they have the right to live on them; and if
they build railroad, they will have the right
to run it, We cannot expect Nolthern capi-
tai to come here without measure of North
ern influence in our affairs
There is very simple alternative. We
ought to avow plainly whether we want
Northern immigration or not If our motto
is 'Non-intercourse," let the Legislature ex-
press the sense of the people; and it is our
firm conviction we shall not be troubled.
The difficulty is to get these people to come.
They mistrust us. They fear Investments
here are not safe.
Do we want to build up Virginia? Do we
want to repair her waste places? to make her
bloom and blossom like the rose? Or do we
want to live on crushed down by poverty
our lands untilled-our towns going to de-
cay-our voice unheard in the Federal coun-
sells?
1t is no time for petty quibbling, and mere
talk about the interests of particular locali-
ties. We want strong arms beneath us, and
stout backs on which to lay our burdens. If
there is any man, or body of men, ready to
invest his money in Virginia, let him come.
If any man-come he even from Maine
wants to put up mill in Chesterfield, tell
him he is welcome. If any man wants to
open bank in Richmond, tell him we are
glad to see him. If any man wants hun
dred thousand acres of land on which to
settle thousand immigrants, tell him to
come. And if any man wants to cover the
State with network of railroads, bid him
God-speed!
Is it possible that Virginia Legislature in
1871 should pause over such an issue Are
we gene mad?
If the application of the Alexandria and
Fredericksburg Railroad Company to con-
struct an all,rail line from Washington to
Richmond is rejected, then, if we have the
spare labor, we would respectfully suggest
to the Legislature to order Chinese Wall
for our Potomac frontier. Let us initiate the
Celestials, and avow our purpose to keep
within the limits of China. Have guarded
gates at suitable points, and collect tolls il
anybody is permitted to enter. Tell them we
are very particular down here we admit no.
body with capital; we wish to keep up a
strictly Virginian influence; we are afraid if
you come you will use your money lmpro-
perly. Tell them it is true we are poor, very
poor; but we are very proud; we prefer the
old Fredericksburg road and starvation under
MIR. Moncure Robinson, who unfortunately
lives in Philadelphia, to riding in palace cars
at half rates and double speed, under native
born Yankee.
These people come down here and propose
to build our railroads with their own money,
and we tell them to clear out The entire
freight earnings on the Richmond, Frede
ricksburg, and Potomac Railroad in 1868!
were fOTty,f0e thousand dollars (we believe the
through freight was some sac or eight thou
Sa1d). Here is business for you 1t is like
the rumble of the Italian. diligence in the
nineteenth century. 1t reminds us of the
following advertisement from AyscOughi
Nottingham COtrGnt of 1760:-
''The flying machines on steel springs sci
off from the Swami with Two Necks Inn
Lad-Lane, London, and from the Angel Inn
in Sheffield, every Monday and Thursda.
morning at o'clock, and lies the frs
night from London at the Angel Inn il
Northampton, the second at the Blackmare'
Head Inn, Nottingham, and the third at Shef
field Each passenger to pay Fl us, and t.
be allowed fourteen pounds of baggage. Per
formed Gf God permit), by John Harfortl
and Samuel Glenville."
1t is true that Mr. Moncure Robinson run
his "hying machines on steel springs ever
day between Richmond and Fredericksbure
but his boats that connect with the Yor
River Road, only go three times a0eek fro1
West Point to Baltimore. This is anothe
route that he wants to break down. He hs
crippled the Danville Road; he has cripple
the Petersburg and Weldon Road, and I'll
Richmond and Petersburg Road; he has cril
pied his own line from Richmond 10 Fred
ricksbuTg; and now he is crippliDg the Yoi
River route to Baltimore.