Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1873-03-28
VIRGINIA IN ENGLISH EYES

HlHUINlA LIN ENULlOl Il l Ed
A SrAuNToN MAN BEFORE THE SOCIETY OF
ARTS IN LoNDoN-ENGL1sH VIEWS OF
V1RaIN1A-A Coop REPORT FROM En-
GL1sHMEN.
The "Journal Of the Society of Arts"
London, Eng, gives verbatim report of
lecture delivered before that Society by Ma
ior Jed Hotchkiss Of Staunton Va, son
the Virginias-their Agricultural, Mineral
and Commercial resources" Following the
lecture there was an interesting discussion,
which is reported as follows:
Mr.. Hyde Clarke said it was hardly nec-
essary to look for word Of sympathy for
Virginia because Virginia was closely con-
pected with this country century before
the union with Scotland was effected. That
connection lasted so long as even to have
extended during the early period of the his
tory of the society, and in common with
other colonies it received the fostering coun-
sells of the Society of Arts. At that period
Virginia more than once had its claims advo,
Gated within these walls. and by the organs
of the Society. 1t might even be said that
at the period when the connection between
Virginia and this country was severed there
was greater amount Of sympathy with the
cause Of independence here than there was
in the provinces of America which establish
ed that independence! They sympathized
with Virginia in every respect, and it was
that feeling which had led English people to
invest large sums for the benefit Of the State
of Virginia. Those investments were still
further increased after the late war by those
who visited the country and saw the resour
ces of the land and the character of its citi-
zens. This society has been among the
first to invest its funds in American bonds.
So far as Virginia was concerned, he felt it
his duty as tile secretary of the council Of
Foreign Bondholders. and also as secretary
of the Committee of Virginian Bondhoders,
to say that the feelings Of confidence were
not disturbed at the present moment, but
that Virginia was in such position of f.
nancial trouble that it very much affected
the possibility of any undertakings for the
developement of its resources being assisted
in England.
VIRGINIA MUST SET HER AFFAIRS IN ORDER
before she could apply to Eng land for furth-
er assistance 1t could scarcely be said
that it was the fault of her own citizens that
this had not been done, because the Govern
ment had on various occasions come forward
as the open asserter of the just rights of the
creditors, and he thought the documents
and addresses which had been published did
great honor to that country. The dividends
due to the peop pie of this country had not
been paid, and although decisions had been
given by the courts of Virginia in favor of
the creditors they had not got the benefit Of
them, and at the present tine there was
conference sitting at Richmond between the
Legislators and the creditors Of the State
whose decision might be pronounced by tel
egraph at any moment offering compromise.
1t was their duty, be considered, under those
circumstances, to call the attention of Major
Hotchkiss, as a representative of Virginia,
to the state OF the case so that he might press
upon his fellow citizens to take all the mea-
sures necessary to restore the position and
reputation of the State. At the present
time no less than ten Of the sou thern States
which had been preeipitated into difficulty
through the late war where more or less
scenes of reputation, and the amount of
money due was producing great suffering.
1t was in Virginia that the confidence of the
people of this country had been most placed
and, therefore, they looked to that State to
set an example to the others. There were
many people in London deeply interested in
Virginia. who had the strongest desire to
promote the welfare of the country. and to
develop its great resources. With regard
to Richmond, he looked forward to the day
when it would become one of the great
ports. If that was to be done it could only
be accomplished BY Virginia unfolding her
credit, because credit was capital beyond
natural resources, aud was greater than
money.
VISITED Us TWENTY YEARS Ago.