The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1874-03-02

ges stand directly in the way OF all improve.
ments. These Considerations have always
prevailed in Virginia to the prejudice Of
the public veal. They have prevailed to
the extent of paralyzing trade, discourag-
ing agriculture, commerce and manufac-
lures, and repelling the immigration of
earnest, industrious, and ~enterprising set
tiers. But for their prevalence the
sold Dominion to-day would take rank
with the foremost states of the Union in
prosperity and the development Of her
unrivaled natural resources. But for their
prevalence the traveller OF our majestic
Potomac to-day would be greeted by the
same pleasing prospects as are afforded by
the rivers Of the North.
1t is obvious, from q careful considera-
ton of the signs of the times, that the army
| Of migration which has for years been
pouring from the crowded countries of
Europe and the older settled states of our
own country to the prairie and timber
lands of the West is about to divide its
forces. The Scandinavian division will
continue as hereafter in pursuit of the
colder regions bordering the great lakes
and encompassed by the uppermost tribu-
taries of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers.
But the division composed of the German,
English, Scotch and Irish elements will
mostly turn Southwark and Southwest.
Some of them will seek the prairies of
Texas-but a great host, lured by q genial
climate, prolific lands, cheap transporta.
ton, proximity to markets, fisheries, and
many other advantages, will scatter ever
our Southern seaboard in thrifty colonies,
and take possession of the domains Of a
people who utterly neglected the improve
ment of unsurpassed opportunities layishly
thrown in their way, IglllI. at -.
The fine plateaus which spread out be-
tween the Susquehanna, the Potomac, the
York and the James, and their beautiful
afluents, will AZ no distant day be pos
sessed by sw..ms of settlers who will
stamp them with the impress Of their ire
pressible industries. They will bring with
them no foolish vauntings of ancestry,
birth or pedigree no proclivitiss for
horse-racing, ~fox-chasing, and the f~ooleries
of tournaments. They will bring only the
elements of progress; they will bring
plows and axes, mowers and threshers,
workshops and factories they will build
steamboats, and railroads, plant orchards,
and transform the sedge patches into fields
of blooming clover, and nobody will be
intimidated by the bug-bear stories o
Southern antipathies and unhealthfulness
: of climate. ! H-E
There are certainly no natural obstacles
!, to the realization of the most sanguin'
predictions of any of US in regard to thu
! future of our adopted homes in the ole
. commonwealth Of Virginia. On the con
trary, all the natural dispositions ant
: accessories are in the highest degree favor
able to success. We have a climate mild
: salubrious and enjoyable, one that is ex
, empt alike from winters rigorous cold
: and summers excessive heats. We hav
: a soil as susceptible Of high fertilization
: and as prolific as can be found North
/ South, East or West. 1t will successful.
grow all the farm staples and give US al
. the fruits in certainly and perfection, from
I the tempting strawberry of the perfec
days of June to the purple clusters of tn
n golden autumn. No better apples no
more luscious peaches and pears have eve
ir ripened under any sunshine than thos
d that have matured in our " plante,
o orchards. | care not for the derisiv
laugh of the skeptic nor for the l~ugubriou
,e complaint of the grumbler. We have bot
of these classes among us, as all othe
communities now have and ever have hat
but they cannot stop the marc
lie of progress by standing in IL
N way. Scorer or later they mu!
s, 90 under the surging tide, and be lost
lie view as the history ofall enterprises attest
rs And now my friends, in conclusion, thanl
SIS ing you for your courteous attention to m
p- remarks. / again express the pleasure an
er satisfaction l feel in the suspicious begil
Il. nings of our undertaking in which q
1t sure you will cordially unite. May we al
Of from this day..forward, be stimulated
q new and more earnest efforts for Il
re accomplishment of what yet remains
ds be done. May that infinite Power whit
t. controls the destinies ofman and his pr
" jects smile upon oar work, as d;
" by day it progresses under the SIX
d. and labor of the builder even to its fin
completion, and may we all, who a
ct gathered here to-day, again have the plea
til ure of exchanging friendly greetings Oh
congratulations when our goodly yess
first takes her place among the 9th
steamers on our majestic river, to begin t
is important mission designed and ~foretold
at it's projectors as the mission
an socially uniting country and CT
MS interests, of mterchanging count
cir and city industries, of promoting and G
of tablishing fraternal feelings, of develops
d, valuable natural resources, of ~fertilizi
h and utilizing waste places, OF stimulati
yn honest, useful labor, encouraging ira
he and manufactures, of bringing from d
IS, tant places to our borders large accessio
k of thrifty strangers to cooperate with U
so and to rejoice with us in the enjoYme
Ie, of our goodly heritages, the very pleasa
r. places in which by the bounty of the Lo
of our lives have fallen. 57a4 sal6I sso.
nd .,a ---- -- a.
W yASUINGrON,S BIRTHDAY ON TIL