Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-10-18


''The result Of my observations and
studies has been a profound conviction
that at all times and everywhere agri-
culture is the solid foundation Of all true
and sound culture. This IL clearly
demonstrated by the teachings OF his
tory, as well as by the present condition
OF all the civilized nations OF the world.
Wherever agriculture Is in a fourishilg
condition commerce and industry, as well
as the liberal arts and the higher sciences.
Will develop all their resources; and, last,
but not least. sound morals will prevail.
And again. In the same proportion as
agriculture is neglected. everything else
Will go backward.
Now, no attentive observer will deny
that wonderful results have been at
taiEed In Virginia during the thirty years
that have nearly elapsed since the close
of the destructive war between the States.
This general progress. not only in agri-
culture, but also in other branches OF
human activity, is all the more to be
appreciated, since great obstacles had TO
be overcome as consequence of the un-
favorable and deplorable condition of af
fairs laid on the shoulder OF our people
during the sad period OF reconstruction.
The negro elements Of our population
were not only freed from bondage. but
also put on equal political terms with the
superior Caucasian race. Their Influence
soon manifested Itself both In city and
country; their ignorance. Incidence, and
impotence stood and stand everywhere
la the way of progress. They are utterly
untitled 10 contribute anything especially
towards the development OF agriculture.
Other forces are necessary towards such
a purpose. But wherever they live in
great numbers. white settlers will not
Eeek nor like 10 build up their houses.
Hence il Is no wonder that wide Sec
tions OF our state are more or less In a
deplorable condition, some OF them almost
Il barren wilderness. Every one who
comes from the North will notice this
fact as soon as b. has crossed the Po-
tomac river.
EXHAUSTED SOIL.
Besides, our soil IL, to a great extent,
exhausted This is partly the natural re-
suit Of the old methods OF plantation
times. Rational methods OF farming, in
telligent brains, hands used TO hard work
are needed In order to bring about gen.
eral change for the better. We see what
can be made OF our land when We take
drive through the surroundings of our
capital city on the James and look at the
beautiful farms-for instance on the Nine
mile road. or elsewhere where intelligent
and skllful farmers aided by the fayors
OF our superior climate. have succeeded
in such wonderful manner. What glori-
GUS and blessed state wouldst thou be-.
., Virginia IL everywhere such hands
were at work to turn the barren sec
tions of thy land into the richest fields
and loveliest gardens.
Mr.. President and gentlemen of the
20 | IN oh
class Of immigrants most desired Were
these words meant as a question? IL
seems to me there Is no question about
that. The class of immigrants most de-
sired ought TO be farmers, honest and
GOdfearing farmers, Industrious and in
telisent farmers Let settlements, nu-
merous and well-organized settlements
OF such farmers, arise all over those
counties where agriculture is SO far from
being what 1t ought to be, aud there is
no doubt that our dear Old Dominion
will before long stand again where II
used TO stand 10o years ago-at the head
of all the States In our Cnlon!
A DIFFERENT ANSWER.
Passing to SECOND b-division--"T Thu
Sections Of Countries Abroad from Which
II is most Desirable TO Secure lmmi
grants"-Dr Menzel said:
"Of course, you Will expect me now
TO compose or TO execute Il certain mum
Der OF more or less me!0diouS variation:
over the theme. Go 10 Germany! and
indeed 1t would be quite natural for tbs
representative OF a German-speaking as
sociatiOn to say so: Go to Germany! sui
our answer IS altogether different. We &c
not believe in the advisability OF sending
any agents abroad, to whatever section
or country II may be, IN order 10 secure
immigration. Those agents spend theii
time and the money that is paid out &c
them without any real beneficial result &c
us. They feed US with words and phrase
with hopes and expectations. but that l.
about all. Desirable immigrants are sucf
immigrants who come voluntarily, at
tracted by real advantages. that are al
ready enjoyed by others-men of charac-
ter and OF steady habits. who Will not
lightly give up their former surround
ings, but who then will give themselves
with soul and body as soon as they have
found solid foundations upon which &c
build up something substantial for them
selves and their dear ones.
NEED NOT GO FAR.
"Such men need not be sought for; they
are seeking for themselves. We need not
and knock NJ doors. ready TO 30 10 work
If we only encourage them and give them
a chance. Far in tine West and Northwest
the eyes of thousands of settlers are
turned eastward, with the earnest desire
10 seek and 10 find new homes In our
midst. Letters OF information are written
and received daily. During the last years
not "A few have even personally tried thei1
good fortune. With their wives and chill
dren they came TO US, bought some land
and went to work. But but-many oi
them very soon went back again! what
was the reason? They found little sym
pathy, and no encouragement at all. DIM
culties were even thrown IN their way
Others fell into the mercilesS-hands ol
land-agents, who took from them what
ever they had earned in the sweat ol
their faces. Nothing was done In order tc
secure 10 our State the useful hands ol
those people who volunteered to offer US
Their good services. Thus they became
discouraged, and left.
THE GERMAN FARMER.
"Nr. President. we do not wish to bt
misunderstood II we give the preference
TO western and northwestern farmers
and advise against securing immediate inl
migration from abroad, at least In
larger scale. We CSttulllly bIihn a biN'
deal of the German farmer Among
those who know something about the de
velopment OF American agriculture there
can be no question as to the German
farmers usefulness. He has made h.!
influence felt all over our glorious coun
try. He has opened to civilization on
great State after the other-from Penn
sylyania TO the Dakotas and Texas. Ever
In our own State il Is a well-establisheC
fact, proved by all the German names o
places and persons which are still foun'
there, that the prosperous condition o
Shenandoah Valley is due to the German
immigration that came from Pennsylvania
about $50 years ago.
"rhe German farmer Is intelligent an'
honest, industrious and thrifty, and. abov
all, a God-fesring man; he is fond o
order and peace; not an office-seekef
but always willing to sacrifice his bloo'
and his good for the country o. his choice
He does not go to farming from a mer
| fancy, or from the passing inspiration
| of a moment; he does what his father an
grandfather have done before him, onl
with the improved methods OF the pres
| ent generation. He and his associate
| form a regular peasantry with all tn
| traditions OF such Il body. and will no
easily leave his farm for anything else
| Happy any commonwealth where such
peasantry forms the foundation on whic
| everything else is built. We are or IN
.t.t.. .~kS 90 hx. 40