Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1902-09-05

L would be a grand juror or / would
not be. do not believe that | would
play the part of wooden Indian and
bc useful in my capacity only when
public indignation or an organiza-
tion OF few citizens compelled ME
to come to court, examine some wit
nesses and say "amen" to a paper
drawn up by the Commonwealth's
Attorney. If l could not fulfill my
oath | would get out and stav out.
do not believe | would stand mute
while misdemeanors by the score.
offences against morality and felon les
were the talk of people all around
until the name of law and it's enforce
ment brought sneer.
Do not say that any one mau is to
blame. The blame is on the en-
tire population of Northumberland
county. The time is past when the
claim car be justly made that the
evils of q community or county can
be laid at the door of one man. Nor.
thumberland is just as its people
want 1t and make it. If it is not
strictly law observing, it is because
its people prefer not to have it that
way.
There may come time when such
things will not be. When laws are
enforced promptly people learn very
quickly. 1t does not take long for
things to adjust themselves. A single
justice of the peace has made old
topers afraid to stagger around
Heathsville, when few years ago
one drunken man could and did stop
the proceedings of the court.
Northumberland needs more hearty
young blood, more ingress of pro-
gressive outside folk, Like Slaughter
of Lottsburg. 1t needs more mer-
chants like Garner Brothers, more
general business men like II. a.
failin and Geo. N. Reed. 1t needs
to give more encourage ment to every
enterprise and every enterprising
man. Its mills, its canning estab-
lishments. its truck farming. its fish
ing aud oyster industries, the agri-
cultural fair, the telephone system,
ITS road improvement, the school
system, the coming railroad and
every other public improvement, all |
need the support and encouragement
of the people. The reason the agri-
cultural fair has never been a great
success is because the enterprise
lacked sympathy and support. 1t |
was always "your fair, not 'ours."
Jats Jaats htlJpaTERa8sSkks " Ta8Skstfati FIR psSpiea alTYaSa
VIRGINIA CITIZEN, an enterprise
that is an honor, and valuable in
stitution in its home town, would
have originally located in Northum-
berland had the people wanted it
and offered to support it. They did
not. 1t is extremely doubtful that
any part of the county, except one
mentioned, would even now welcome
its arrival, or that of any paper, to
the point Of support.
The districts and communities of
Northumberland are not bound
together as they should be. The
county needs closer relation of its
people, q stronger realization that in
unity there is strength, that what is
for the good of one part of the county
is good for all. No man, no commu-
nifty lives to itself. The destiny of
the county rests as much on one as
on another. What is the duty of one
citizen is the duty of all.
Northumberland geographically is
favored section of Virginia. Its
land is fertile and we'll cultivated,
its people hearty and mostly of the
right stock. Go to some Of the less
fortunate counties; turn again to the
Northern Neck and you will con-
gratulate yourself that you live there.
But Northumberland needs to
look to other counties and other
states, to see that the country is
moving, is progressing everywhere,
is getting away from narrow, selfish,
blinded views. | repeat that Nor
thnmberland's citizens will do well
to give hearty support and good
cheer to every enterprise and to every
enterprising man, and shoulder to
shoulder, In brotherly accord, as
well as earnest, honest rivalry, work
out glorious future for the county
of the Wicomicoes, Yeocomico and
Coan. S. ROLAND HALL.