The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-09-03
Up the Connecticut valley. !.
Correspondence Of the Richmond Dispatch.
HARTFORD. COM, August 80. 1880

| HARTFORD, CONN, August 30, 1880.
Travelling "upon the long river" Vir-
ginian finds much to make him feel at home.
The beautiful Connecticut Valley is hardly
surpassed by the scenery OF our Roanoke
or Shenandoah. The "noble james" seems
present TO the view.
Corn and tobacco flourish bere as in the
"Old Dominion" 1t almost requires a
mental effort TO realize that ones " definite
combination OF heterogeneous changes"
TO use Mr.. Spencer's bizdrre phraseology,
Is not in external coeXstence with VIr-
ginia and Connecticut at the same time. In
plain English, life in both places is very
much alike. Tobacco-houses here look like
familiar face. notice that the growers are
beginning TO cut the "weed" in some
places. The absence OF wire fences and
the presence OF staked rail fences rather
surprised me. Along the railroad there is
the same proportion OF uncleared ground
as one may meet up with at home. Here
and there an old-faShioned New England
house, with q considerable slope OF roof In
the rear, reminds one OF days when Puritan
simplicity was The reigniDg style OF arcbi-
| lecture. Socially. both States have become
noted for the culture OF its people and the
superior character Of their educational iDsti-
tutions. Politically. Democratic principles
are also in favor here.
Hartford. from all that can learn, is
Democratic stronghold. Yet, to be faithful
10 the facts in the case, as | gather them,
the balance of power is thrown to the dis
advantage OF the Republican party by the
large Irish element which abounds here. Re-
publicaniSm evidently carries the prestige
OF good blood with it. Notwithstanding
many Democrats OF the North are OF the
-" first WATER" the bone and snew OF New
England is rather Republican; just as in
the South our best people, both white and
cOlored, are found in the ranks OF the De-
mOcracy. Speaking OF the two races in the
South, it is strange how little the North un-
derslands OF their natural relation to each
other. They forget that community OF in
terest, as well as feeling. must eventually
unite the negro and his white employer. IL,
as we believe, there is no necessary conflict
between capital and labor.
Among the places OF interest in Hartford
the new State.House is really magnifQue. No
one should visit the city without taking a
good long look at the Capitol and "Bush-
nell Park" in the midst Of which it stands.
Walking around the grounds, the reading
public cannot fail at this time TO pay pass
ing tribute to their patron, the late DR.. Ho-
race Bushnell, whose "Life and Letters"
are now interesting many at home and
abroad. For those who care for such things
the WadswOrth Athen9um" IS another
attractive resort. Among the statues on eX-
hibition BarthOlomew's "Eve Repentant
stands the central figure. In the painting
department a green malachite-slab table,
presented by one of the Russian Cars to
Governor Seymour, is apt 10 be overlooked
under its homely cover. This table, said 10
have cost several thousand dollars, is well
worth a peep. In the historic department
one finds a little OF everything, from "May-
flower" date to the present day. Especial
ly displayed is the old "Charter Oak"
under first one form and then another.
To a man Of the "nutmeg State" there
never was such a tree as this one, though
" Mark Twain" who lives around the cor
uer, seems to whisper, | have seen better
and bigger trees than this "Charter Oak
many a time. And why not admire the
:. clan-alpine" stock? To such must his
tory liken the people whom kind Provi-
dence led hther from the mother country,
planting some upon the long river"
Others as the founders OF the "Old Do
minion." We are a common brotherhood.
The mind returns for moment 10 the State
House, where Connecticut displays battle
stained flags which speak OF "late un-
pIeasantness." admire the patriotic spirit
which preserves these colors borne 10y noble
sons. But these relics OF "long-ago re-
bellion " are only to speak OF a past which
is dead. Peace now abounds, and the peO-
ple rejoice. Signs OF prosperity are abund-
ant. This is indeed fit paradise for g ce-
lestial" youth (here in great numbers) to
learn Mclean manners. j. Il. b.