The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1888-05-24

6SV9 Il | 7 4 most points III the sub
II ~ Trains leave for
IN IA ~. Fredericksburg at 6
<7zs'r~@s===,-s --5sassz-sA p. m, affordng rest
and a delightful ride
in the evening, passing through the well-known
cavalry fields of Hanover, Guinness Station,
Bowling Green and Ashland, landing you at
Fredericksburg for a late supper in the hos
pitable Exchange Hotel, which is now kept by
a genuine pair of Yankees from Connecticut,
for the benefit Of tourists to the historic fields
Whereabouts.
1t has been my privilege however, to linger
an entire week in Richmond. Perhaps there
are but few Of the old soldiers for whom the
city of Richmond itself, aside from its being
the old rebel Capital, possess so much fascina-
ton as it does to me who, as the Boy wan
dered through these familiar old streets so
many days and nights during the Fall and
Winter of 1862 3, when all the chiyairy were
gathered there.
Perhaps The NATIONAL TRIBUNE will per-
nit an expression of opinion from the Boy
Spy" to his friends OH the political outlook in
Virginia this Fall. Briefly stated, the report
should make on my recent observations after
careful consultation with a number Of the diff
ferent leaders and the people, would be that
VIRGINIA is TO BE THE BATTLEFIELD
in politics in 1888 as it was in war in 1875.
The best informed of both parties admit that
the State is very doubtful. Primarily the is
sue is to be Protection VS.. Free Trade. Virginia
is undoubtedly protection State. While there
are some discussions on account of MahOne's
methods, in the Republican ranks, there is, per-
haps more serious trouble in the Democratic
lines on the question of protection. Outside Of
the free-trade issue, the only important quos-
ton Is that of the superiority of the white race.
1t must be admitted that the elections aud
ba in gsiy oudh
| is no disposition to deprive the colored man of
his vote, but there is decided antipathy to
electing him to any of the important State or
local Offices.
The race question will not affect the general
election for President. 1t is generally con-
ceded on both sides that the coIored vote is al
ways solid for the Republicans in general cleo
tions for Congress and President.
1t would astonish the old soldiers to see how
many of the best ex-Confederates are now
prominent in Republican politics. We all
know of Gen. Malone, but it is not generally
understood that his principal following is made
up largelyof ex Confederate Republicans, while
| that OF his Republican antagonist Hon John S.
Wise, comprises what is known as the old
Wing or civilian Republicans, who were not
active C0nfederates, and object now to being
bossed by rebels.
Whole chapters might be written about the
new industries of Virginia. They have the
coal, the ores, and, in all respects, as good a
soil and far better climate than that Of the
| Great West. Good farms in fair condition
may to-day be bought in these mild, delightful
Virginia valleys at considerably less than is
paid for unimproVed ground
IN THE BLIZZARD COUNTRY.
Northern immigration of the farming class,
and especially from the Northwest, is particu-
larry desired In the South. The better class of
white laborers are also welcomed in certain
sections. There is no hesitation on tho part OF
the people here in expressing their opposition
to promiscuous immigration. They want only
the better class who will work. The old fell
| low whom / met on a swamp farm on the Pen
insula, where the principal crop is bullfrogs,
(of which they tell me they can raise 40 bushels
to the acre III good seasOns,l told me this story,
while he chewed tobacco and spit savagely;
I'VE don't want no white niggers hyar. I'm
80 year old, drunk whisky, chaWed terbaeker
and voted the DimicTatic ticket all my life, and
| tell you white labor amt reliable ct into
the war until Mister Grant told us to take our
bosses and go home and plow. Wall my boss
war a mule and | turned my gun into plow-
share and along one warm May day about like
this, | started in to ploW myself; all my mig
gers had gone of. Well, gentlemen, plowed
and sweated and swore more on that day be-
fore dinner-time than / did all durin of the
wah. sat down on my ploW-beam, and like
that Britisher, Wellington, who wished for
night or Butcher, / wished for night or mig
GER No, sir, white labor amt reliable"
The principal crop in Virginia has always
been tobacco. This product has been the
| cause of more legislation, litigation, interal
revenue and trouble generally, than all the
other pursuits combined The principal in
dustry of Richmond is in the packing, ship
ping and manufacture of tobacco in its various
forms. The most recent is that of the cigaret
establishments, where
THOUSANDS OF GIRL OPERATIVES
are employed, but as this has been so we'll ad-
yertised in the photographs to cigaret buyers
we can jump it,
While not exactly in the line of industries or
improvements, it is however, a truth that the
best part of Richmond is to be found in her
beautiful cemeteries,
A prominent young politician of the a. New
South" aptly expressed the situation in refer
ence to improvements in the old city when he
said: " l wouldn't like to have it printed on me,
but the fact is what we need here moro than
anything else, is about hundred first-class
funerals. The rich old men who cannot do
nything else but hold the deeds locked up OBJ
.ject to any change and what surplus they have
to spare is invariably sent West for invest
ment."
There is nothing Of historic interest in Rich
mond proper that cannot be seen within the
compass of the Capitol Square. In truth, there
isn't anything in Richmond of so much general
interest to q soldier as may be found at Fred
erieksburg.
There was no important battles nearer Rich
ment than Seven Pines and Fair Oaks. paid
So for a ride out there and was very much dis
appointed, and would not advise anyone to make
the trip with hope of recognizing anything
The grounds are about as uninterestng as any
ordinary young forest. Quite heavy growth
of young trees have covered and almost entirely
obliterated all marks of the battlefield. A little
National Cemetery incloses the "Seyen Pine
trees, but with tho exception of the Superin-
tendent's lodge and the soldiers graves and the
onely-lOoking flag over them, comprise all
that is to be seen at this point.
On the drive out to Seven Pines we stopped
an hour at the Union National Cemetery To-
Gated on that road Though somewhat isolated
and alone and located on the opposite side of
the city from that of the Confederate at Holly
wood, it is beautiful by contrast because of the
great care that is taken of it by the agreeable
to be an old Regular cavalryman, who left one
of his arms on the very ground where Hooker
declared he never saw dead caValryman. The
Superintendent says the COnfederates always
march away out there on Decoration Day and
sTREw THE GRAVES OF UNION SOLDIERS
with Covers don't know how you feel about
it, boys, but find there is something genuine
about the sincerity and good feeling of the Vir-
ginia Confederates toward the Union soldiers,
both dead and alive.
Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond may be
briefly described as the most sacred soil of all