The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-10-21

The only social osLraclsui tiae eAIseo hiJ-
where, is found among those who would
keep up the old order of things necessary
to their support and subsistence. This
would-be aristocracy--the more absurd,
because it exhibits none of the characteris-
tic elements which go TO make up an aris-
tocracy-may possibly turn up its Gillette
nose at the Northern gentleman or lady
settling among us, but their influence
is less appreciable in the community than
almost any other now felt; and will grow
smaller by degrees and beautifully less as
the folly of the past gives way to the WIS
dom of the future. .f.
There is, however, one feature to this or.
prehension on the part of the North whichis
Enthusiastically genuine and real, and whichto
great extent grew out of the abnormal
condition Reconstruction, and which ought
to have disappeared with it. The term
caEpet-bagger, may have had proper
significance then, but it has none now.
The prejudi:es TO which it gave rise seem
to have survived the elements out Of which
they grew, if they have not actually been
intensified by time.
We hear it fippantly remarked upon the
political rostrum, as well as more flippant-
ly uttered through the columns Of
our contemporaries, that none but
native Virginians should be elevated
to important positions Of civil and political
trust. And, strange enough to say, we
find, even in the Republican party Of Vir-
ginia, the cant terms of !" nativism y and
"forcign BIRTH Now the absurdity OF
this thing is too manifest for any sensible
man to tolerate. In all of the States of
the West an open field is offered for the
wealth, energy, and individual power and
influence of every new conner, and he has
only to demonstrate his power to secure a
commanding influence at once, The man
is welcomed chiefly for what he Is, end not
: simply for the incidental advantages ne
brings with him. BY adopting ''nativism, /"
as party slogan in this State, we virtually
say, that we want none but second OF third
rate Northern men to come among us, we
want their wealth, their individual skill
energy and toll, to be expended here fo'
e our benefit only and not theirs. They mus
take back seats in the church, the state
and at the social board. The biggest native
born ninny-hammer in the State is to take
!. precedence of him in these particulars
All his wealth, energy, activity and power
must go to bolster up this ninny-hammer
IS Even il majority of the more sigeciou
y members of his party recognize his gfsa
ability, and urge upon him a nomination
Ie for Congress or either branch of the Gene
raj Assembly, this slogan of " nativism'
is at once hurled at his head, and tn
meanest attributes of Virginians appeale'
to to strike him down in the path of ad
vancement. Let this malgn spirit ono
establish itself as fixed and unalterabl
+ fact, and there would be an end to all i'm
migration to Virginia which would b
e. worth encouraging from any source.
y We would not 60 so far as to claim thu
Re right of any Northern man or foreign i'm
!. migrant to supersede natiss YnglnAn
offices OF trust or emoinmeht. ~ 10 ohl
where ne has thoroughly idehtihed hlii's 't
h. with the interests Of our state, ana ms y
pefior Abilities are recognized oy .'e pe'
er pie, that ne can nave any CLAIMS ioF sue
distinction. And when these exist, thei
can De no greater ioily imam ,, uely,ns 'n !,
L fecoghi'ioh. "na' wou,u nave pe0n :,
IN career OF sTg'h'as MI. Doy " u
I, sasnes hao .h,S sipsan =, rm
es oeen the accepted party 'oh'oooie.h VI ne'
,e lucky, halt century ago! UT waei
would would have been the magnincent CT
ia reer OF John ). prentice, hao a sui MOI
"a Southern state aaoptco thc same aosu'
q cry!
lie we protest against inns supreme 'oity
the kepuoilcan ranks ~ ,isihm. " :,
s. recognize native talent lor VIVA. u 10 worn
n ana no'Aii's more ut''sr 'ii'iisS pe'n
= equal we "''en. e'u o .:s-..;a
of interests in the State; but beyon