The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1885-03-12
An Important Movement.

Richard V. Gaines, WINS. G. Wickham
and A. S. Buford, representing the Exec
utive Committee of the Virginia State
Agricultural Society, have issued an ad-
dress calling an Industrial Contention to-
meet in Richmond on the 18th of April.
The address sets forth in plain and con-
spicuous language and facts the necessity
to State prosperity of such Convention,
that diversified industries may be estab-
lished and our vast natural resources util-
lied. The facts and figures have substan-
TALLY been presented in the editorial COL
umns of the VIRGINIAN over and over
again and should appeal irresistibly to the
patriotism and self-interest of every citi-
zen Of the State. The preface to the adj
dress furnishes the reasons for the call,
which we give below. 1t is hardly ne
cessary for us to say that we heartily SYM
pathiZe with and endorse the movement.
1t has been the theme with this journal
for the past dozen years, and we are only
too glad to see such gentlemen givingtan-
gitle force to it, One paramount, essen
tial object to be attained is to keep our
young men at home. This can be done in
no other way than by giving them remu-
lucrative employment, and this can be Of
fered only by diversifying our Industries.
Agriculture alone will not do it. We have
tried that, with iamentable failure. We
hope the people of the State will respond
earnestly and actively to the appeal of the
Committee, and that the 18th of April
may date new era for Virginia:
The Executive Committee of the State
Agricultural Society, having duly consid-
cred the subject, deem it an auspicious
time to call an Industrial ConUentioaa,
which shall have, for its object the devel-
opment of the material interests of this
| State.
| 1t is understo cd that such questions as
divide the political parties of the day will
| not be discussed
| For more than century our best men
| have devoted themselves to the considera-
tion of questions affecting our civil and
| political rights, yet we cannot claim pre-
eminence for our State 'polity. We have
given to the nation some of its ableSt
statesmen, purest jurists and most dis
| tinguished soldiers, yet in all that pertains
| to material greatness we have fallen fai
behind.
We have given q l.ast domain to the
Federal government, and our sons ano
| daughters have pOpu ated the continent
| yet our fields are unit Tiled, our mines un
opened, and our reso urces undeveloped
| The census OF 1880 shows that 663 1885,
persons born upon Viz ginia soil were the1
| living in other States and territories o.
| this Union. Of thest J. 49, 1888 have emil
grated to Southern St ates. who nave sen
| US, in return, As, $50 OF their own citizen
not one for ten. In exchange for 2S4.
GAS who have emigr ated to Northern
States, we have receive d only ~, l95-les
than one for twelve For the unknown
number who have g0m to all other POI
tions of the habltahls 8 lobe. IA, 696 na s5
of foreign countries Id we come TO NIL GU
depleted ranks.
We boast of our hosp table flreslues. GU
genial climate, our 5eUt lie soil and our II
exhauStible resources, yet one third Oh a
persons born upon touT s. Dill seek their MONS !,
and their fortunes in other parts Of tn
world