The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-11-11
Virginia and the Nation.

Virginia and the Nation.
One OF the best speeches at the last
convention OF the American Bankers
Association was a speech not delivered.
II was prepared by Mr.. W. NJ Habliston,
of Richmond, for response to Virginia"
but time was lacking and Mr.. Habliston
did not speak, reserving the right, how
ever, to print in the record. and the
speech appears as a part OF the conven-
/ ton proceedings. We deal with It, there
/ fore, as though il had been spoken.
Mr.. Habliston said that he did not
wish the convention to think only of
what Virginia had done. but 70 know
that she was doing her full share in
the great developments Of to-day; that
the past was an inspiration for the fu-
ture. that Virginia was being developed
by Virg!nians; that Virginia exported
three-fourths OF the manufactured tobac-
co Of the world. and led the world in
two branches OF that industry; that the
coal mines OF Virginia were hrst opened
and successfully operated 10y Virginians
that its first railroads were built by
Nirginians; that in every line OF COM
merce and industry Virginia had worked
diligently and successfully.
lie did not depreciate the great help
that has been rendered Virginia by citi-
zens from other States OF the Union.
but. on the other hand. he wished TO be
understood that citizens Of Virginia had
done their part and great part in the
development OF other States
Il ann not here" said he, to claim
any more FOR Virginia than any other
state. but l wish you 10 know that
Nirgimans are bone Of your bone and
flesh Of your flesh. and that the same
spirit animates them that carves from
the granite hills OF Maine fortunes that
built from the ashes OF Chicago n
erander city; that animated the citizens
or baltimore 10 rebuild a greater city: A
spirit undaunted like that Of the citizens
OF Galveston, that beats back even the
waves Of the mighty deep: like that Of
the people Of San Francisco. that even
a mighty earthquake cannot appau. and
while the earth is almost trembling. com
mence their work TO build a more beau
uful city. The deeds OF one section are
the common heritage of Us all We are
citizens Of one great united country
Wen said and patriotic. Virginia asks
no favors or privileges She claims
nothing in the way OF prestige or favortt-
ism by reason Of her past achievements
She claims nothing more than is granted
and vouchsafed TO any other State in
the Union. but she claims that much.
She is part and parcel OF the Union. ard
claims the right. but only the risht. to
stand shoulder high with other sovereign
States
Passing on 10 more practical matters.
Nj Habliston called attention to the
banking conditions In the United States.
and IN this connection said:
The banking capital Of the United
states IN 1880 was about 5000 O00, 600; In
1896 about $4,000 600. oOO an increase OF So
per cent During that period the banking
capital OF this country increased $40 600
'0Om against s., 500. 10000 for all other
portions Of the world combined.
In 1885 there were 1l5 banks in III.
state OF Virginia; to-day there are s13
In 1890 the deposits were S3i 10000. to
day more than 3lI00o.O0o. an increase in
ten years Of more than 80 per cent. The
last published statements show that Rich
mond had 81. oOO0 deposits more than
the entire State had in 1895"
That is, indeed. a splendid record for
"a state whose territory was the battle
ground in the great war Of devastation
and that she should SO soon have recuper-
aied, and reclaimed her wasted fields
rebuilt her cities, established industrial.
f commercial and financial institutions OF
such strength and character as now *
ist, and emerged 50 rapidly and SUCCESS
/ fully from abject poverty to wealth and
prosperity, is a tribute no less to the
heroism and character Of her people Than
to their business sagacity. their industry
and their enterprise.