The Portland daily press., 1874-10-13
Notes from Virginia.

I would forestall any adverse criticism as to
meagerness of facts, and correctness of opinions
expressed, by saying that the time occupied in
my Virginian trip was but a single week, and
with the exception of Sabbath in Richmond,
was intensely devoted to business. A delight
full sail of fourteen hours down the Chesapeake
brought US at early morning to Norfolk. The
natural advantages of this place impress even
the casual observer. L was surprised to learn
that it was the third cotton port in the country.
1t has some strong enterprisiDg business houses,
but the conviction forced itself upon me that
more energy and the infusion of new blood was
needed to enable them to secure the full benefit
of their great natural advantages. 1 had but
one hour at Petersburg. This place suffered
fearfully in the financial panic. Three nation
al banks and many Of the business houses were
obliged to suspend. deeply regretted that my
freedmen was SO limited had few minutes
conversation with Baptist clergyman on his
way to supply one of the Richmond pulpits the
following Sabbath He was far from hopeful
He thought the great mistake was in giving
the negro political rights before he was pre-
pared to make proper use of them. 1t did not
seem to have occurred to him that if his theory
were correct it was capable of much wider ap-
plicatiOn than he claimed for it. From what I
could learn from other sources the case seems
far more hopeful than the views expressed by
this clergyman. The freedmen of Virginia are
probably more intelligent than those of any
other state.
The Sabbath spent in Richmond was one Of
great interest A pleasant feature in the Sab
bath school visited was the large attendance
of adults. My attention was at once arrested
by the fine personal appearance of the school.
If there was no case of marked and extraordin-
ary beauty, did not notice single counte-
ont or rnf o,bl 10 from
plainness of features. heard good sermon
in the morning from one of their distinguished
Methodist dipines. But the event which had
anticipated with the most interest," was attend
ance at the First Baptist African church with
membership of about three thousand
probably the largest church in the coun-
try. Early attendance enabled me to secure
good seat. The congregation very gen.
orally engaged in singing for some time
ly disappointed in this exercise as it had but
little OF the sweetness or the life and power l
had expected The singing by the large choir
was decidedly better. For select piece they
gave the old and familiar words and music
Come ye disconsolate," which were we'll rem
dered. heard an intelligent lady remark that
the negress did not sing as much as before
slavery was abolished, which she accounted
for from the fact of the greater personal care
resting upon them at the present time.
watched the advent of the minister with some
interest. The feeling is so common that if the
negro has position assigned to him, he will
feel elated and put on airs, that almost ex-
pected to witness something of the kind here, but
more quiet and modest entering and bearing
in the pulpip l never witnessed; the occasion
wrs not a favorable one for judging of the
preacherer's ability, it was funeral discourse,
fOI quite number of persons from young
children to more than ninety years Of age.
The effort to adapt his discourse to the occa-
sion somewhat after the manner of country
funerals with us twenty-five years ago was evil
IDENTIFY embarrassing After the presentation
of general principles he wisely left the
question raised in the text. "Man wasteth
away and giveth up the ghost and where is he,"
to be settled and applied by his hearers. If it
is true as sometimes claimed that the doctrine
of universal salvation is gaining ground at the
present time it was evident that the tidal
wave had not reached this church. In COM
mencng his discourre, or new train of
thought, there was slight impedmen: in his
speech, and some hesitation in the choice of
words, but as the subject developed this
passed away. judged him capable of a much
better effort than he made on that occasion.
HIS scripture quotations and recitation of
scripture narratives were made with great
power. He is man of strong common sense
and most excellent spirit, and while firm in
his political views and defense of what he re-
CARDS the rights of his people, he is at the
same time conservative and strives for the
things that make for peace between the two
souls as equally precious, then there are but
few who are called to such positions of in
fluence and responsibility as that occupied by
this man. Never before did l feel so like
praying that wisdom from above might be
granted to Christian minister, as in case of
the pastor of the First African church in Rich
mond.
Another feature of great interest and prom.
Use is the Richmond Institute for training col
ored men for teachers and ministers. Rev.
Charles III. Corey, graduate of Newton Theo-
logical Seminary, is president. The motto of
this scnooI has the true ring; "Thoroughness,
Promptness and Disciplined Energy" Did
space permit, gladly would 1 speak more at
length of this institution, which is exerting
great and far reaching influence for good. In
this case good object and practical business
management seems to be combined.
Thefbjects of interest in and around Rich
mond might well occupy as many days as 1 had
had hours to give to them. The state capital
is beautifully located; the building itself re-
markable only for its historical associations
The first thing that meets the eye on entering,
is marble statue of Washington by Houdan'
French sculptor. This is the only one taken
from life. On the grounds is an equestrian
statue of Washington in tronze, by Crawford
Nelson. These statues are ten feet in height.
1 am no judgeiof works of art, but found my
self making my third visit to this group during
my brief stay, and would enjoy many more.
The tone Of some of the papers was in
marked contrast with the invariable kindness
with which L was received as northern man,
and while can only speak of this in general
tesms, it will be held in grateful remembrance,
From what little could learn of the proposed
amendments to the state constitution should
regard them as worthy of commendation, es-
pecially the provisions in relation to public
schools. Virginia has noble future before
her; but she needs to be aroused to a realization
of her possibilities, which can only be worked
out by an enlightened, liberal and far-seeing
policy. She must come to an apprehension
that her true development can only be secured
through the intellectual development of all
her citizens, In the late European war it is
claimed that superior intelligence aided Ger.
many in winning the victory. If bay onets think,
if on the low plane of bloody and cruel warfare,
general intelligence is at premium, how
much more ShOuld If ha in ha 1ovo1opnoopt of