The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-08-07
tIon was to aId in the u & achieyement of sue;

gFrF5 t3-.g
The chief articles OF merchandise here
are tobacco, flour. and guano. The in
:terests Of the first OF these commodities
have been suffering recently from the
failure of the passage ut fhe last Congress
OF stthe tobacco tax" The nature of this
bill is better known to many OF your
readers than it is tome, and therefore I
shall not enlarge upon it. This, how
ever, I have had more and more sensibiy
impressed upon me since came here
the vast Importance OF the supreme legis-
lature OF the country 3legislatins with
view to the interests and the deyel-
opment of the resources Of all sec
tions OF the country. Each section doubt
less-Nortb, South, East, and West-has its
own special and peculiar interests, yet legls-
lation should not be made on behalf OF any
one to the .detriment, or to the Ignoring,
even, OF any Of the others. We must have
q supreme government, but that govern
ment being supreme, and thus universal,
must enact such laws and administer
them in such Il way rs TO encourage,
stimulate, and develop the special and
peculiar interests OF each section. IL
cannot be seen to be discbarging the fuli
duties and functions OF universal govern
ment IL it does act thus. And II at any
time the interests OF the respective sections
should really clash, then unquestionably
those of the majority should be Dreeminent-
" regarded. This, surely. is Republican,
ism: and vet how difficult it must be Tor
lawmakers to realize their duty in such
matters, so vast in extent is this country
The southern man cannot realize to the fltll
that there is vast North, nor the northern
man that there is vast South and a vast
West. Yet there is remedy-let them
read and travel.
For culture, breadth, and true generosity
I have only had my former impressions OF
the southern character deepened and fnten-
sifed. have never received more marked
proofs of these characteristics among any
people, nor have ever felt freer to utter in
the bearing OF any people my "bonest"
thoughts In plain, blunt phrase.
The war is still talked of-who could ex-
pect it to be otherwise! Yet | have not
heard a single acrimonious or revenge
breathing word concerning it. The intelli-
gent men with whom have conversed hold
themselves and their State in good faith as
part of the great Union, and the bloody
shirt" I have never seen Haunted. All
hearts seem now to beat in sweet sympathy
to the refrain Of .F .t,"
~ union Of lakes, q union OF lands,
union that nothing can sever;
A union of hearts: a union of hands,
Our glorious Union forever"
Nor do I believe that any man could be
elevated to any office to-day by the better
aud thinking people Of Richmond by the
leverage OF disunion principles.
BY the way, quite an interest is being felt
in Richmond Just now over the nomination
and election of member to Congress. Il
think there will be six Richmonds in the
field" literally. General Joseph K. john
ston is one of the six. What his chances
are l cannot say. Surely, however, If the
State OF Virginia on her own principles
owes any gratitude, she owes much to Gene
raj Johnston, whom all here seem to regard
as the greatest general Of the late war, and
who can say-having had the pleasure OF
meeting him several times since I came to
Richmond-is highly-cultivated and Chris
tian gentleman. 1
But l must close. have just been on
deck to take view OF City Point, where we
have been receiving freight. 1t is interest
ing, you know, as having been the head
quarters of General Grant for quite long
while during the war. / will write you
about the "Jeems," &C., as soon as can
find opportunity. j. q. A.
July 80, 1878.