The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-11-20
WEDNESDAY EvE'G, NOV. 20. 1872
SOURCES OF HOME WEALTH.

SOURCES OF HOME WEALTH. q
1.-THE Virginia Water Line, "''The Chesa-
peake and Ohio Railroad, "The Norfolk
Ocean Steamers" all these are good
things. We love to dilate upon them.
Their contributions, present and prospec-
tive to the wealth of the State, form the
text of many an eloquent speech and lead
ing article in our papers. They round out
the rolling periods of the orator and the
writer in splendid style. There is somc-
thing very grand and inspiring, lifting us
into the regions of epics when we contem-
plate these great achievements. And SO
we love to linger on these tempting and
popular themes where no opposition is
evoked.
We have great faith in railroads and
canals, and we want to see Virginia furrow-
cd through and gridironed over with them.
But we have seen new country, the very
richest in natural wealth between the
oceans, in that condition, and its people
poor, to the very verge Of bankruptcy.
That was the condition of Illinois in 1857.
She had her water-line complete. A great
system of railroads connected her coal
with the richest iron, copper and zinc
mines of the North, and offered an outlet
for her products to the seaboard, either
through the great lakes or in winter by the
ever-open door of the Gulf. Yet industry
Nod a/,Io eto N,,f Nd
people were poor. What was the matter !?
Simply this, that her people were all farm
ers, or merchants and professionals. She
imported nearly ere1y manufactured article
required for her population. Now precisely
this is the case in Virginia.
The people Of Chicago, and all the little
towns in Illinois, became aroused to the
danger Of pauperism IN the midst of abund-
ance. They commenced manufacturing,
and from that moment began to thrive. The
farmers found market at home for their
produce, their children could go to the
neighboring city and learn trades, and sead
back their means to improve the country.
The towns grew, land became ten fold more
valuable, and wealth and population in
leased with rapid strides. Now, this is
an example for Virginia. Railroads and
canals ,oiH nerer enrich her unless she avails
herself of her local advantages. saI
Her farmers cannot live by sending away
all their surplus produce. The State will
grow poorer in the attempt. She must in
crease her wealth by letting no raw mate
rial leave her borders. To secure this is Of
more importance than all her system Of
public Improvements, and should occupy
The serious and persistent attention of press
and people. 1t is not very poetic, keeping
money from running out of the State. The
small but potent economies which make
all the difference between poverty and
wealth, have been always despised by the
kid-glove gentry, whose feeble statesman
ship controls legislation in Virginia. Yet
right here zoe must begin.
The mountains of Virginia are full
of tan-harh; her cattle furnish hides.
The ta,,-bak rots and wastes, and
the hides are sent TO distant States,
with rare exceptions. Even the leather OF
her few tanneries are sent away to New
York. Now mark, all The shoes Of her
200, 900 people are made IN Ne,o England,
sold IN NeD York, and bought by her tra-
ders after payiny half dozen profits.
Virginia sells her sheep skins for a sirpencc
co7d bugs back their tails for a shilling!
Now hete is practical opening to begin
great reform. An enterprising citizen Of
Richmond has brought down improved ma
chinery from the North, hired skilled lat or
and begun the manufacture of shoes in
Richmond. He is making good article,
but it costs little more at first. Now will
this effort be sustained? A spirited and
enlightened public ought to say yes, at
whatever cost, it shall be sustained. IF
Richmond cannot do this, and other towns
in Virginia emulate her example, it is use
less to build railroads or canals here.
They might as well be built in Liberia or
among the wastes Of the Arabian desert.
Nothing can thrive where creative industry
is not encouraged. 1t is of more conse-
Quenee to make one branch of manufacture
success than to build railroad or dig q
canal 400.