Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-08-28
v,ro,n,a's Bright Outlook.


The reported restitution in Oklahoma
has been corroborated as result OF the
investigations Of the special land-inspector
for the Interior Department. He states
that fully one third Of the people need
aid. Two thirds of the farmers need seed
wheat. Many are now in want OF food.
No work; nothing TO sell; prospects
gloomy"
The condition of things in the far West
has been growing more and more gloomy
in recent years. There has been great suf-
fering amongst the farmers from many
causes; long and rigorous winters, with
scantiness Of fuel that necessitated the
burning Of grain to keep body and soul to-
gether; disastrous droughts, followed by
more disastrous fires; the periodical but
sure visitation of the locust pest, the grow
ing destructiveness of storms, and the ter
rorizing inhence of the now too frequent
death-dealing cyclone, ell conspire to rem
der the GLORIOUS West" anything but
land of promise. To make wholesome the
advice of the late HORACE GREELEY, his
Injunction must be reversed now to
read, Go East, young man." And whyf
For the simple reason that in the East we
are comparatively free from the above
enumerated evils and have great natural
advantages of position from our nearness
to the great seaport markets. In speaking
of the East we have reference in general
20 the States lying on the Atlantic seaboard
and south Of Delaware, but we want more
especially TO contrast the advantages OF
our own State with those of the West.
Virginia has been enjoying decided
"boom," especially in the Southwest. for
year past. The more conservative OF our
people thought it unnatural, and predict
ed the "boom would burst in six months
and do the State incalculable injury. The
test Of that time has been applied. and
happily these predictions have not been
verified. To the contrary, the influx OF for
eign capital and investors. who not only
bring their money but their all TO cast
their lot with our rapidly-growing
towns. continues to increase, and the
boom becomes more and more healthy,
In some few instances perhaps villages or
proposed towns have discounted their i'm
portance abnormally. But as a rule the
growth of nearly all the cities and towns
IN the State has been healthy and rapid,
while some few places have sprung mp as If
by magic and are fast becoming live and
progressive cities. Roanoke, which as
if but yesterday was simple way
station, sprang into life from rail-
road-shops and brass band, and
in eight years has become one of
our most prosperous and attractive
cities. with o population of about 10000.
Then there are Glasgow, Buena Vista. Bed
ford City, Pulaski City, Salem. Pocahontas.
Bramwell, Radford, Clifton Forge. Iron
Gate, Basic City, and others, all new
mining and manufacturing towns whose
futures seem assured. The lands about
these and other points have advanced won-
derfully in price; as have also those ada
cent TO our principal cities, notably Rich
mond, Norfolk, Petersburg. Lynchburg,
Danville Charlottesville, and Stanton.
All this shows vast improvement in the
State as q result of the partial develop
mont of her great mineral resources. But
We confidently look fo- greater degree
of prosperity which will inure to the good
of all citizens alike, the farmer as well as the
denizen Of the town; prosperity to como
from our farm lands. A gentleman of
calm judgment and great foresight re-
marked very emphatically in our presence
the other day. Virginia lands are the
cheapest in the world" He was nearly
correct in this statement if we take into
consideration the sstonishingly low prices
at which they can be bought, together with
their advantages in position and climate.
There are many valuable lands in the State
which we believe can be purchased now at
about cost price Of the fences which en-
close them. This condition of things can
not continue. There must be demand
for productive. well-situsted lands. They
are to be found in Virginia, and when
divided into small farms and well cultivated
will yield abundantly. We repeat. Come
East, young man." Virginia has a bright
outlook. Cast your lot with her in time
and you will never regret it.