The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-09-10
F1TzHUGH LEE ON VIRGINIA.
WHAT SHE WANTS AND oFFERs-AN oPPoB-
TUNTrY FOR IMMIGRANTS NORTHERN CAPITAL

TUNITY FOR NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. CAPITAL
NEEDED
General Fitzhugh Lee called upon at mis- rooms
Bnrnum's Hotol by a HERALD reporter, TO whom he
made the following statements in regard to the work OF
the Virginia Emigration Society :-"yirglnia being
considered the mother Of the country, considered 1t
unfair that this great people should allow her 10 suffer
account OF past offences Those dead issues,
and do not to revive them We wish to
uvenate the old State and think the best way ID do
it is to develop her agricultural resources. We can
only do this by inviting immigration propose to
offer emgrans facilities good better than they
can find in the West We have no grasshoppers no
destructive droughts to destroy crops. We have
thousands OF fertile of land that will produce
much grain to the be found in any other
State and they be bought cheap And the society
proposes TO deal directly with the settler and not
through agents. And 1t may well be stated here
that officer Of the society of
pensaton, either in the way OF salary or commits
sion. must say that l am agrecably surprised
at the Cordial reception of myself and associates the
hands OF the people of Now York, and have yet to
hear dissenting voice in regard TO proposition
for the revival Of the old State. The Northern people
seem to be unanimous in the opinion that Virginia
should take rank among the leading States
OF the Union, and 1t is 1rm intention by honest
and fair means TO induce immigrants to settle in
our State to cultivate soil, develop our interests,
and by so doing, put the State the footing which she
had before the We have genial climate, with no
extremes OF heat cold, and soil the richness Of
which is equal TO that of any State In the Union. In
regard to State government, consider 1t good
that of any other State; rulers as honest
and as able govern wisely those of other States
Quiet rcgns throughout the length and breadth Of
section, and new settlers need have fear of being
disturbed in their possessions, or IN their pursuit OF
nd hnnn Ia NOR n
people consider equal TO that OF any people in the
land. We are aw-abding; We punish our offenders
offenders in North Our cities aud towns have
record Of rulanism beyond what can be found in the
cities and towns of other States.
at popular fallacy that Northern people cannot
come South and pursue their legitimate business with
| out being moested We arc not in love with carpet
baggers, but are with people who will among
US and help us to once more put on sound basis tho
| glorious old State OF Virginia. There is not heart
hand in the State but what will be open and extended
| TO those who will come among us 10 buy our lands
help to make the State what she should be- and to
be our people We don't ask a man his nationality;
simply invite him to come, to settle among to DO
a aw-ablding citizen and TO grow with the State The
mineral resources Of Virginia are too well known for
me TO comment on. Nor do suppose that very large
majority of those immigrants trust will among
US will care to do more than to cultivate the soil Our
State tax is light, being only fifty cents on the $780,
and the payment OF our State debt we are going to
demand shall progress to an honorable and satsfac-
composed entirely OF property holders who,
| have stated before will deal directly with
the settlers desire to lay this fact before the people
that they may draw their own conclusions. We believe
that, State progresses the people OF the North
will feel the progression and be benefited. We pay
debts If succeed and afford to your
markets once more and purchase those commodities
from your manufactures that hardly available OK
cept among the aborng classes of the South Another
thing that recommends State to immigrants is our
accessibility TO the principal markets of the Union
Our water and inland facilities for reaching these
kes, it Is well KNOWN arc not surpassed by any
Southern State
Sin regard the negroes consider that those of vir
gna as intelligent and industrious be found
There is not the least insurrcconary spirit beng
hibed and the deeply deplore the late troubles
farther south. There is friendly spirit existing be-
tween labor and capital, but lack much OF the lat
ter have surplus of the former. The negroes
being educated and beginning to comprehend
the fact that upon their own exertions must they do
pend for their support and Advancement and under
standing this fact they are at work industrously and
honestly
''In regard to our free school system l consider it
quite up to the standard Of the other States and
intend TO maintain 1t and not again to have
abroad that ignorance is the banc of the people
OF section of the South. We desire TO place our
selves in such position that We shall DO looked
We want good feeling between all sections, and
willing to work 10 promote that feeling and for the
general public good. In desire TO meet with sue
aware Of tho fact that cannot sit with
folded hands but must work TO obtain the precious
boon, and this willing TO do, and cordially
vito immigrants and all others who desire TO and
settle in State We promise them good government,
hearty reception good free schools cheap fertile
acres and a climate the fame OF whose saubrity is
worldwide. We have in our State some of the finest
mineral springs in the world They easy OF access
from part of the State and the exoronae prices
generally found at places OF resort by pleasure seekers
or invalids not tho rule at any of the Virginia
springs. desire particularly to bring these
fore the Northern public for, as | stated before we
need capital and capital VIC must have and it is in
great part from them that expect to get it, If the
people will come and they will find these state
ments true, and have fear but that they will stop
All we ask is that they como and satisfy themselves"