The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1877-03-15
What has Virginia varts
to

What has Been Done in Virginia Since
the War?
we give beloNa cheerful summary Of what
mas been done in Virginia by the people since
the war, as we find it in the State We all
know that the people have done their best
But what have the caucus politicians done
Hey have squandered the peoples sub
stance, complicated their public obligations,
and dissipated the revenues in a manner to
cause serious alarm for the future. We point
to the verdant fields and improved farms, in
every respect, OF the Valley as q testimony
to the industry and thrift Of the people, but
the servants whom they delegated to legislate
for them have shamefully abused the trust
confided to them. With wise, judicious and
economical legislation since the war, Virginia
would to day be in condition to attract the
attention and admiration of the whole couE-
try. The miserable caucus system, by which
the voice of the people is stifled, and adven-
tuners and place hunters placed in power, has
done more harm than an invading army, aud
calls for the prompt Intervention of the
popular will to destroy it. We have some
good men in the Legislature, it is true, but
the result Of their aggregated deliberations
has been disastrous to the Commonwealth,
and will drive her to bankruptcy, if the
reckless do-nothing, spend-all policy is con-
tinued. There is he good reason why Vir-
ginia should not be dotted all over with
manufactures, giving employment to labor
and creating Il home market for the farmer,
thus keeping the money dug from the
ground among lis, and such wosld now be
our condition-thrift Astounding everywhere,
had the miserable partizan spirit that rules
the place hunters and the caucus manlpula-
tors, not controlled the State. If the peo-
'ple will send to the Legislature men who
will do as well for them as they do for them
selves, the days OF repining would be few,
and unexampled prosperity follow.
From the Richmond STATED
ing letter to Virginian resident in New York,
and we are glad to call attention to summary so
F. My Dear--:I have reflected upon the ex-
preston OF your regret at the want of energy OF
the V1rginians, and at our want of capacity for
progress and for political and domestic economy
and thrift. observed how unhappy you were at
the prospect before us, and believe can cheer
you up.
Follow the statement of what we we're and of
what we have accomplished, and how we stand
today: Eleven years ago the people of Virginia
stood before the world in the direst restitution
and misery that has ever befaIlen noble race
IN one day all OF our money was destroyed; our
slaves were withdrawn from productive labor
and male our political masters
Our fences, barns. mills. factories, farming
utensils. and in thousands of instances our dwell
ilngs, and even colleges and churches themselves
had been destroyed, and our beautiful Richmond
had swept over our State. Every county in Vir-
ginta had been tramped and wasted by the inya-
ded armies. The mules and horses were ali gone
the cattle. sheep, and hogs, and poultry had ali
been consumed The railroads were worn out
beyond repair All means of water transportation
were destroyed, and we were covered by the debt
OF war and with nothing else, for except the tat
tered Confederate homespun raiment of man and
woman, we stood upon the wasted bosom of our
were born.
Fifty able-bodied men out of every hundred had
been killed or disabled by wounds and disease in
the war, and mourning and desolation were in all
There was no help for us but in the pluck and
me energy OF our natures, and claim that in the
retrleval We have wrought in the ten years past
we have shown more pluck and energy than in ali
the struggles of the war than any people in any
time or country have ever shown before
fam. IN amos. every part OF Virginia you will find
ton. o0--N-
increased productions of our FARMS mines and
factories. In Norfolk, Lynchburg DanyiIle and
creased as in other towns and villages. Richmond
has increased by $4,000 people, The whole of the
burnt district has been rebuilt on larger and finer
plans, ana the dwellings, increased in size and
style, have spread far beyond the former CITY
limits. The development of trade AMI manufac- |
this. "-'- ''i'
Six Or seven years after the wars end one iron
establishment here was employing 1900 to 1900 |
nands, and giving support to 5000 people of their
families
The flour mills turn out thousands of barrels
per day, and 100 tobacco factories, sumac mills |
planning mills, hat factories, paper mills, nail !
works, and other large manufactures Of iron and
farming utensils evince the energy and business
capacity OF our capital city.
In Norfolk you witnessed the tonnage of sea-
port port recurring transportation for near 100000
bales Of cotton annually. besides the large truck
ing and oyster business created since the war.
co 3ny few NgsG the annual a
i've years ago there was nota cotton press in that
town Norfolk has now become the second cot
work day and night to load the ships.
3. IN retersburg there are forty OF fifty tobacco
In Danville there over fifty or sixty tobacco
factories, and such thrift and industry as have
never seen in any community
But 1t has not been merely to our material in
terests we have directed our energies The edu-
cation OF all classes has been fostered schools and
colleges are restored on much larger SCALE
new ones have grown up; our fine military col
lege, which was burned by that miserable marau-
der, Hunter, has been rebuilt, and stands to-day
a better school. with broader policy of instruc-
t1on and an ADLER faculty than has ever been at
West Point.
Insanity, once unknown amongst the negroes |
has become q great and increasing affection To |
relieve 1t we have established an insane asylum
1of negroeS-the only one in the world-Where
more than 300 OF them cared for, and which |
we commend to the authorities in this era of re-
form as a model Of cleanliness, humanity, and
and faithful administration worthy to
be followed by some othermore pretentious insti-
buttons.
When you reflect on this State much and its
facts, you must admit. we have not been idle, an
thrifty, nor inefficient.
feel as you do, great anxiety about the negro
but he is ceasng to follow his political aspirations
and is settling down to be useful and productive
citizen.
While we have many causes for anxiety yet to
give US thought, believe that the energy pluck
which have borne this Virginia race through so
many dire calamities, have colonized and deyel-
oped the great States OF the South and West and
20 long guided the deStines OF this continent to
their best and greatest elevation will not fail us
now. -
Our people have not ldegenerated. Lee is the
peer OF Washington. Fitz Lee is superior to Light
dorse Harry, and Jackson, with his StoneWall
Brigade, could have beaten Washington and his
Continental armies. -
Afectfonately your friend and kinsman