The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-07-15
SHALL NORTHERN SETTLERS COME TO
AIH VIRGINIA. a ed.

journal IA FEW Weeks since thirty nam
lies in st. Lawrence county decided to form
n colony and migrate to Virginia. They
were all wcll-to-do farmers, and belonged
to a most desirable class of population. A.
few weeks since they dispatched several of
their number to select a locality. The lat
ter, after prospecting extensively, have now
returned and counsel an abandonment of
the scheme. Their principal ground for so
doing is the fact that they were received
with no cordially. Instead of meeting
with a warm reception they report the
Firginians gave the cold shoulder to them.
They found many Northerners scattered
through the State who generally complain
of isolation and social ostracism. The
scheme has accordingly been given up
Now, we want to know where our St.
Lawrence friends travelled, and who they
saw, to give them such an impression
about the people Of Virginia. The state
mcnt above made is a most damaging one
to US. It tends to diminish the market
value OF every acre Of land in the State. 1t
tends to drive from us the immigration to
which we are entitled in virtue Of on r
grand resources, and our fclicitons ge-
ographicai position. 1t tends TO postpone
the day of our great prosperity, and put it
out of the reach of the present generation,
compelling them to live and die, without en-
,joying the blessings which Providence de-
signed for their benefit, as well as for those
who are to come after them Our friends
must have made n very limited tour in
Virginia, and have been very unfortunate
in their associations, to have reached a
conclusion so much against us. We do
not deny that there are some. obscure, igno-
rant, and degraded people, who enter
tain and express feelings Of hostility to all
States people but their own. Such igno-
rant and prejudiced persons are found both
North and South. ItF t s'f
There is also another class genteelcr in
eyternals, but Vulgar, conceited ignorant
snobs, who turn up their noses at northern
people. They make much of blood, tell
what their fathers did, and affect to dispisc
everybody and everything born outside
Virginia. They are few in number, and
principally confined to the towns, and arr
just about as silly, harmless, and worthless
aset, as we know of under the sun. II
these two classes, forming an insignificant
minority of the people of Virginia, will bt
found those who give the cold shoulder t
settlers from the North.
< Wehaye travelled extensively III this Stat
and are in communication with all classc!
Of its people, and we are confident, tina
good settlers, from all parts of the worlt
will be warmly welcomed by the great ma
jority Of Il people, including all thos
whose goodwill sof any consequence.
It is true, that our people are very poor
and their means of dispensing hospitalit,
very limited, but they win showas f"raterna
a spirit towards those who come here t
live and cast their lot with us, as will b
found anywhere. Our population is s
scattered, and the country 50 new and littl
improved that we recommend all on
Northern friends to come in colonies larg
enough to secure cooperation, or to conneC
themselves with those already formed.
We have the finest sites in the world
healthy, fertile, rich il forests, water pow
ers, mines, and the advantages Of a splendi
) climate. Our lands are lie cheapest IN III
aUo!H considering their location. They ca
be bought in large bodies. The ~railroat
companies, particularly the Orange Alex
andria,l are securing immense tracts aac
sub-diyiding them for sale. This is tn
: place to come. -gaa -ta sl.#l
There are some inconyeniences to loeat
: here, they will be found everywhere; bu
t colonies Of Northern and especially West
=, ern men, will find here more combined ad
r yanLages, than we know of elsewhere. TIL
social ostraclsm is a myth, except in town
!. like Richmond, and here it hurts nobod
worth a baubee. Who cares if the petit
/ noodles don't invite one to their party
o orif they turn up their aristocratic noses a
ones wife comes into church. This kin
Of fools are in New York and Chicago
Boston and San Francisco. Here it is brit
there it is shoddy F.; now it is dress, agai
it is money. Everywhere we find boobis
noodles, snobs, andlow, mean brutal peopl,
!; who ignore worth aud reverence some az
u eidental distinction. 70 set way frol
them we must get out of the world. W
= hope the Chicago .J0eaaa1 will do us Il
: justice to print this, or at least give us
chance to be set right, through lis column
: "a Thousands of men are going ava
from the North, and from the West aIs'
d further on. It is immensely to the intere.
Of the old states that these should come
-; us and help build up the waste places ofot
; State. They aiR T~eccire Il cordial an
honest welcome from Virginia. We as
! tie entire press cf orr STATE il ae are a
right in giving this assurance.
..#F. h- Lla.g.t
Il THE SGALANyAGs oUT-sCALAWAGED.
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