National Republican., 1884-10-31
FROM THE OLD DOMINION.
Some Pertinent observations Concerning the
Neglected Opportunities Of the Mother Of

Some Pertinent Observations Concerning the
Neglected Opportunities OF the Mother Of
Presidents.
RICHMOND, Oct. 2s.--Tho people OF Virginia
have good reason to point with pride 10 their
early history. Patrick Henry touched the
patriotic nerve Of the colonists from Massa-
chusetts TO South Carolina when he ex-
claimed, give me liberty, or give me death"
and Washington, by his gencralship, did much
to complete what that great orator did so much
to lnaugurate.
The value of the services rendered by her
orators, heroes, and statesmen was suitably
appreciated by their admiring countrymen,
VINO continuously for thirty.six years, les
four, selected their chief magistrate from her
sous. This was but natural.
Upon The first election OF Gen. Washington,
III lISs, to the presidency which was the real
beginning ofqur national history, Virginia was
the largest Of the thirteen states, haviug an
area OF O6, go square miles, while New York,
the next In size, had but lD,i70. She was
also most populous by far, hhying Gll ,1S1 in
habitants, while New York had only $40, TO
Not only was she richer IN the number Ol
her acres but In their quality as well, those
not adapted to cultivation bciiig filled with
cxhaustlcss supplies of mineral wealth, oi
rlGh y timber aud pasturage IN addition Ia
Const, extensive fisheries and water power OF
untold extent and value. Her central posi-.
tlUn, vast natural resources, aud eminent ser.
| vices justly entitled her to Rll the consldcra
| tion she received, and no one can wonder al
the feeling of pride above referred to.
In the grent race upon which the thirteen
colonies entered ninety-six years ago Virginia
had every advantage, and for u full generation
| her sister states did ull that could have beer
asked of them TO enable her TO retain tho
| supremacy. IL she has Jailed to do this the
| hult is her own and the sooner she realize,
| this the better.
4 few figures from of'icial sources serve L
tell very plainly the story of such failure, and
| commend themselves to the careful considera
ton ofcyery true friend of the commonwealth
Although, as already stated, in 1890, she wal
the largest and most powerful state In the
union, IN 1880 she. including West Virginia
only had I. population of 2,l3l ,022 and val
uation OF SiGy 1893 h5S, while New York had I
population Of 5,Os2,s73, with II valuation o
s2,BGg, III 90, and Pennsylvania q population
OF 4,2S2,Sgl with valuation of 81 ,slf ,307, ,5T3
Instead, therefore, OF being the first In popu
lation OF the thirteen original states she II nov
the third, and her valuation is actually $3.50
6O6,i42, less than that of Maryland, her mex
door nelghbor with population Of but y3l,
9iS. This exhibit Is not at all TO her credit
but the causes are plain. She ought :,
have been the richest and the most inluentia
state In the union at the present time, Nor
folk and Portsmouth, with their unrivalle,
harbor in front and the wealth of the CONT
nent behind them, should not have fallen be
nina New YORK and Brooklyn. And Rich
mond, IL even fifty years ago she had no
coldly repelled the enterprising men who
with abundant capital, were ready to tame thu
wild forces of James river and make then
subservient to manufacturing purposes, woul,
have stood alongside of Philadelphia In al
essential elements of well ctabllshed pros
perity. Other portions of the state should hay
prospered In u corresponding degree, SO tina
her cleared lands would not now have bee
rated asthey are at an average value of AZ pc
| Qprn Dllt nj the Massanlnqptta valuation nt ~
per acre.
The mistaken action of the past, however
cannot be recalled. May Its lessons be sui
ably improved.