The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1881-01-20

confidently expect IL III Ihe cobtes' "Poi
which we are about entering, in whatever
disguise the Democratic party may appear
to antagonize us. To question this would
imply distrust either Of their sympathy
with the Republican cause or our fidelity
to the principles OF the party. We do not
propose to be exposed to the imputation
of either. and shall confidently rely upon
tl,e active aid. so far rs it can be legiti-
mately given. not only of the Republican
administration at Washington, but OF the
Republican party of the whole country.
immigration to Virginia.
TO the Editor of the Valley Nrysnian II am
constrained to write this letter because it re-
lates to matter of general interest. and indeed,
| of vital Importance to the State.
| While in London, wrote a series of arti-
| cles devoted to the resources and advantages
of Virginia. which were published in the Times,
Standard, Telegram, Mftrk Lane Express, Anglo-
| American Times, The Field, and other papers
of London, and in the leading papers through
out Great Britain. From that time until my
return, a large number of persons, from both
town and country called to see me, while many
wrote to me. From these / gathered that a
very large number of not only small farmers,
but men of capital ranging from ten to fifty
thousand dollars are turning their eyes to other
lands. They say frankly that it is impossible
to raise wheat at one dollar a bushel on land
worth $3.50 per acre to compete with wheat
from land worth $50 to $50 per acre, and that
continued efforts in that direction will only
diminish capital, and finally, the means of
living They must go somewhere they say.
Their papers are filled with the attractions of
Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and "The
West" These, they say, are too remote, or
too hot, or too cold DC, but what are they to
do. They never see or hear anything about
Virginia except 1t be something injurious from
parties representing other sections.
In order to remove untavOrable impressions,
I published an article in the Mark Lane Erpress,
from which will briefly quote:
In 1869 we find that the money value of
corn per acre in Virginia was S14.l TO- and only
$12.66 in Illinois. Money value of wheat crop
per lcre in Virginia $12 TO- in Minnesota, (the
great wheat growing State) only 1890 So
much for Virginia's cheap transportation ia
cilities to markets near at hand, and her cheap
labor, which, like all other labor, is efficient
when properly cared for, promptly paid and
personally supervised.
But it is sometimes said that Englishmen
have gone to Virginia and have failed-as if
there were no other place on earth where men
fail. Every practical farmer will bear ME out
in the assertion that a fair test cannot be made
in less than from five to ten years. Moreover,
wi 0 can say that those who failed in Virginia
would not have failed at home or elsewhere !?
As a matter of fact the writer knows great
many English settlers in that State who are
farming with profit.
1T is not astonishing that the old State has
been sandered, but il Ia astonishing that rdic-
ulously improbable fabrications could have
ever gained credence in the British mind, or
liberation in the British heart. Is Virginia to
be regarded in this country as stranger in a
strange land?
us the once worthy daughter of worthy
mother to become an outcaste Are her glori-
GUS traditions and proud memories, 80 nearly
resembling and so closely interviewer with
your own, to be ignorant or wholly forgotten?
Her people are your people, her customs and
habits are yours. Deep in her bosom lies the
same ineradicable veneration for the mother
country, and the same undying pride OF ances-
try. Then why do your people turn away
from her and suffer themselves to be beguiled
by the wiles OF the stranger"
This article, am happy to state. drew forth
a number of letters of hearty approval. Later
on, meeting of the committee of Virginia
bondholders was held in London. The Right
Hon. f. P. Bouverie presiding, Hyde Clark
secretary. Being invited to address the COM
mittee, did 80, concluding | said
Your income from Virginia bonds depends
On her revenue, and this, in turn. depends on
her taxable value. Increase the latter and you
increase the former. Naturally enough, yov
ask how is this to be done, and above all what
are we to do? The answer is plain. First OF
all, agree to accept whatever remains of her
revenue each year after maintaining the State
government economically, and the school sys-
tenn. and then work to increase her taxable
values. In doing this, you simply accept,
gracefully. ao1at is inevitable, and turn it to some
account. II, by yonr efforts you increase her
revenue SO as to get per cent, or even more
on your bonds, there is not man in Virginia
who will object. But why adopt this method,
so novel, so unusual, you ask. Because,
answer you have tried every other naet1sod and
haze taile5 and BECAUSE it is the only true
method and should have been adopted ten
years ago.
But is it practicable? Let US see. Virginia
has resources that are almost boundiess in va
riety, extent aud value These are her assets,
SO far as you are CONCERNED. Development
will make them available. There are millions
OF pounds in London, and elsewhere in Great
Britain, anxlously seeking good investments
Virginia presents all the opportunities in the
way of strikipgly valuable investments that
the human heart can desire. You have the
|
capital in that direction. Judge if you have
not the incentive to action.
MAKE the press of Europe ring with Virgin
ia and her resources. In your clubs and hotels
in your streets, on your cars and steamers
everywhere, think, talk and write of nothing
but Virginia. Make the cry, Go to Virginia.
as general as the cry, Go West has been for
years 1t is matter of pounds, shllings and
| pence 10 you, and therefore work in which
m Yfol,l hxyo ttf,,,
with others in the way have Indicated In a
word, make Virginias resources as prominent
| tor the next ten years in Europe, as they have
been obscure in the last ten years.
The result will be general inquiry after
her lands. 1t aoiN tolloao that these lands acjN be
assessed at a mach higher figure IN 1885, andaggat
taereqs ac'ae'g your money lies. More than this,
when Virgnia's lands, and mines &c are gen
orally sought after, her securities aoiN be general
" sought otter"
Accordingly, the following resolutions. were
adopted. and at my suggestion, were cabled to
the New York Herald.
Reaolesd, That the committee of Virginia
Bondholders having learned with satisfaction
that society comprising some of the most
prominent citizens OF the State has been fornld
under the title of the Virginia immigration
Society fo- the purpose of attracting emigrants
with capital to settle in the State, and that ar
rangements have been made by the said socie-
| ty tor establishing an agency in London for
the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ire
land, hereby resolve to give the said Society
and its agent here the most cordial support.
Resotgsd, That the Committee of Virginia
Bondhoders regret that the mistaken action
OF certain political parties has msled portion
of the people of Virginia in constantly agita-
ting the Debt Question. The Committee ear
nestly hope that the counsels of the debt pay
ing party in Virginia may now prevail and
thus encourage the efforts the RoDdholders are
making to restore the credit of Virginia.
| Resolcsd. That in the opinion OF this Com
mittee the thanks of the Bondholders are due
to the founders of the Virginia immigration
Society and to their Secretary, Mr.. Addison
Borst, for their efforts to restore the credit of
the State and develop its resources, and that
| the thanks of this Committee be rendered to
| Mr.. Addison Borst for the Statement he has
made.
| At the same time Mr. A. H Boulton was