The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-04-03

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THE Enquirer of this morning, alluding
to the third of April as the anniversary of
the evacuation of Richmond by the Confed-
crate forces, and its subsequent destruction
by fire, talks of the present and future in
the right spirit ..",
"Look at our city now, and then turn
back in memory to this day seven years
ago Tell us if our people have not earned
the right to boast of that energy and man
hood which could thus pluck hope from
despair, and make it so grand reality :?
We have called it sad anniversary and
at the time it was sad indeed, but it is so
no longer. Its sorrows are forgotten, or
only remembered by association with the
misfortunes of that day and if the bright
promises of the present fail us not, the
third of April will become one of the most
glorious, as it has been the most gloomy
day of remembrance in the annals of Rich-
mond." r
Now, let the Enquirer join us in giving
to the State of Virginia, policy that will
enable it to share in the growth and pros
perity of the capital. Local causes have
operated favorably to the city. The fact,
however, is undeniable that the State at
large is not sharing in this development.
Within five years the market value of real
estate has diminished nearly one-half, as
shown by the public sales. There has not
only been no accumulation Of property,
but the capital left after the war has been
largely consumed by wear and tear, to sup
port the people, and to pay the taxes.
Roads, bridges, fences, are going to decay,
cultivated fields are growing up to worth
less weeds and briers, the young men are
leaving the State, and the mass ofimmgrants
who come here are trying to get out.
Now these are facts, which challenge
or attention. The superficial and thought
less may not see this. Foolish conceit
may lead some who do see to deny it,
but these facts stand there, confronting us
with their unpleasant reality. We have
too large stake in Virginia to admit any,
thing against her which is not true. We
have, also, too much regard for her real
permanent interests, to shut our eyes to
positive evils and defects, or, seeing them,
to sit idly down, and make no effort
for relief. The politicians are fearfully
ignorant of the condition CT the
people. The old plantation system directed
the legislation of the State in the interest
of the few. The ''mass" was a word
unknown, and uncared for in its dialect.
But now we have to meet the wants Of a
wide citizenship. A million Of people who
live in the country, on the farms away
from the privileges that Richmond and
other towns enjoy, are suffering
disabilities from which we are
happily free. They are without proper
schools for their children, without capital
to work their farms, and without other pro-
fitable employments .All is stagnation and
encouragement, except in few favored To-
calities. The burden of great and indef-
mite debt. hangs like pail over the indus
tries of the State, already paralized and
broken down by the war. There is no
credit and no confidence, no stimulus to
exertion and no outlook in the future
This, we are sure, is not an over-drawn
picture of our country life. We appeal
from the high-sounding periods of SEN
sational editorials and the speeches
of one-horse politicians, to the
testimony of men in the Legislature,
and out of it, who have been out among
the people. They will testify that the
farmers can raise no money to buy manure
or to work their land; that lands are offered
at one-half their former price with no buy
ers that one-half of the children of the
State have no schools: that the furnaces of
the State are cold, and her mills and manu-
factories idle.
Now, what we want of our cotemporary
is, to help us make an Easter day for all
Virginia, as happy as for this beautiful capi-
tai. In this, Richmond will herself have
full share and her progress be accele-
rated by the general prosperity.
To effect this, we require the ignoring of
partisan politics in local state matters.
We want recognition OF the new era
which has dawned upon the State, and of
its imperative needs. Where the interests
of our State and of our people summon,
we say
Perish party, perish clan
Strike together while we can
Like the arm of one strong man. Hs
We must be willing to unite with every
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