The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-10-07

OUR able co-lournalist, j. b. Sener, Esq,
of the Fredericksburg Ledger, has returned
from the West, and gives his impressions of
what he saw during his travels. The con-
trast between still life' in Virginia, and
throbbing growth in the West, strikes Mr..
Sener las it does all who travel with their
eyes open, and who do not look at objects
through the dngy smoked glasses of the
pasD most forcibly; and he searches for
causes which produce these strongly con-
trasted effects, with the earnestness Of a
liberal patriot.
The conclusion reached is that the dis
ease is directly traceable to political dead
rot, the antipathes and fears of fogyism,
which--paralyzed and timid-dreads pro-
gress, progressive ideas, and progressive men
who are imbued with such ideas and reso-
lutely determined to advance.
In the next place the great rallying cry of the
Democrats has been the senseless one of down
with the carpet baggers, drive them out. We
have recently been on a prot,acted visit through
the West and witnessed its energy and its pro-
gress every iota of which is directly traceable to
that class much desired by the West, SO de-
spised here. And us passed through that
magnificent empire and saw its growing power
and how like mighty tree its branches are eX-
tending and its foliage spreading we inwardly
vowed to come back from the Republican West
to the Democratic East and assist in its regenere-
ton by breaking down old saws of the past,
and whilst we welcome the immigrant with
the hand, give him our heart also, and cease
the senseless cry of "carpet-baggers." 1t is doing
MS more hurt than the armed hand of the Fede-
raj army during the war. 1t is retarding our
growth and driving the springs of exist
ence.
Slave-holding Democracy has been routed
on the broad prairies of the West, its back
ward movement has been arrested, and, if
unwilling, it has been forced to abandon
the worship of its idols-caste and preju-
dice-and unite with Republicanism in ac-
tive management of commercial business,
and public affairs.
That magnificent EMPIRE" the great
West, is fulfilling Bishop Berkeley's famous
prophecy" Westuard the star of empire
takes its way"-and the followers of that
star are the active, energetic men of all
countries, creeds, and professions.
Seeing the grand results of this modern
crusade, and remarking the entire absence
of epithet and abuse, when old residents
speak of new corners, Mr.. Sener expresses
hope-we trust not altogether visionary
that Virginia, instead of repelling the fruc-
tifying current of immigration, will well
come it as the means of regeneration and
prosperity.
He exposes the hollowness of pretension,
which is the only partial excuse Virginia
Democracy can offer for its persistent and
pertinacious denunciation of Republicans as
carpet-baggers, scalawags, &c.
He tests their professions by their acts,
and forcibly shows that Democratic aris-
tocracy has ruled Virginia for upwards of a
century, but that rule has, 50 far from in
augurating the public school system for the
mass of our people, even taken away from
them the little which long-past genera
ton consecrated to that noble object.