The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-04-21
.v;roinia and the Centennial"

Virginia and the Centennial"
The New York Tribune Of Wednesday
has under the above heading an article
which brcathes 50 kindly a spirit towards
Virginia that we cannot but reproduce It.
Articles Of this kind do much to counteract
the had effects Of such causes as BLAINE's
and MoRroN's bitter TRADES against the peo-
pie Of The South. AS to the Ir'ttsne'S sug-
sestion that the State OF Virginia as State
ought to take part in the celebration
OF the Centennial of the 18th OF July, we
can only say that there is no question
OF "ill-iudged economy involved, so Tar
as we know. Indeed, the Tribune itself
seems to intimate as much. The Legislature
is no longer here. Governor KEAPER must
Judge for himself and take whatever he may
decide to be the wisest course. His contin-
gent fund is small. What he could spare
from it would not suffice to enable him to
make much OF show at Philadelphia on
behal: OF the good old mother Of States. 1t
wouid be enough, however, to pay his ex-
penses and those OF small retinue il he
should conclude to appear there in his Off
cial capacity. But we reproduce the Iri-
buae'S article not rs supposing that its sug-
gestions viii necessarily be carried out, but
because it indicates @ feeling towards Vir-
GINA which our people viii not be slow to
reciprocate. We quote:
VIRGINIA AND THE CENTENNIAL:-Only
three weeks remain before the formal OPEN
ing OF the Centennial Exhibition buildings.
There is one blank in all reports OF this pre-
paration.which appears to us momentous-
the absence OF Virginia from all representa-
ton. That she or any other State shouiG
fail 10 take an active part in the Centenni"i
Exposition is not matter OF essential mo-
mcnt. States crippled by the war, ana
whose display Of manufactures IN any case
must necessarily be inferior to those whose
oDiy wealth or industry has lain for CEN
turv in manufacture. are naturally indisrosed
TO mt themselves into competition with their
northern neishbors. The qualities upon
which Virginia should rest her claims for
distinction are not to be placed in show
room, or by any mode transplanted in minia-
ture TO Philadelphia for the ensuing sum-
mcT They are not matters OF industrial or
scientific exhibit, nor OF art, so much as
moral and intellectual character. You CAM
not bring the fair fields OF the Shenandoah
Valley ID into the Agricultural Department
TO show through what patient, sturdy labor
the rayageS Of war have been repaired; nor
can you place the Virginia gentleman
who owns them very much improved, by
the way, by that war and that labor, or the
simple high-bred women who form his
household. on exhibition. Yet here are the
elements OF social and domestic life, more
attractive and worthy Of praise in the eyes
OF many judges than any other IN America.
1t is useless, OF course, to hope that the EX-
position can be, in any sense, representa-
tive OF the many phases OF this social and
domestic life in the country, and therefore
it is less important that State like Virginia,
that bases her claims to eminence Oh these
uneNhibitable virtues, should take any part
in it.
But the exposition Is quite different
matter from the celebration OF our indie
pendence in July. 1t is not too late for the
State. as a State, 10 take an official part in
the rejoicings OF that day, and no ill-judscd
economy on the part OF her Legislature
should be allowed to interfere with her SO
doing. The commissioners OF the cXposi-
tion are not the fitting representatives OF
the States on that occasion. The Governors
and committees OF each, especially Of the
original thirteen, will no doubt be present
by invitation Of Pennsylvania, or without
it, should she neglect to give it (Which she
is not likely to do, Judging by her
present hospitality, and the failure
Of Virginia to appear. there would
be fatal to nuch OF the TRUE slgnlfi-
canoe Of the occasion. 1t was q Nirginian,
the venerable Peyton Randolph, who or
der2d and controlled the first Continental
Congress Of 1774; it was Patrick Henry,
Virginian, who in that Congress first put
into words the meaning Of the difficulty
which brought them together as not pro-
test against mistakes in their rulers, but
revelation 10 be ended by new Govern
mcnt; it WAS Eirginian who led the ar
mics OF the colonies through the war OF that
Revolution; twas 4 Firginian who brought
the question OF independence before Con-
grcss; Il Virginian drafted the Declaration,
and il was Virginia, with Massachusetts anu
Georgia, who passed the resolution and gave
us our freedom, while Pennsylvania ana
New York drew back, hcsitatinS and
alarmed.
Whatever cause for dissatisfaction Nir-
"inia and the united Government may have
had with each other since then, they cannot
blot her record of that day. Without her
July 4, 1776, would have been no national
holiday; and without her July 1, 1876, will
lose much Of its importance. We know no
reason why she should refuse to take part
in this great anniversary which belongs
rightfully to her more than any other State.
We do not believe there is among
the better class OF Virginians any
sense of injury or wounded feeling which
would debar them from joining heartily in
this day with their northern kinsiolk, al
most every city or town in the State, indeed,
will send its deputaton of citizens. But
the State should be represented officially.
No displaro of manufactures or other indica-
ton of our progress in wealth and industry;
no manifestation Of goodwill from other
nations, however acceptable, will make as
deep an impression on the public mind and
feeling as the appearance Of the southern
States in the old capitol in July. and the cor
dial, hearty assurance that We are again
brothers and friends.
~ ----t-----------~-
WIvsIow is not to be surrendered, and
the treaty OF 1872 is to be abrogatcd. Well
,t,,t NJ - t,yS countries ~