Valley Virginian
What We Saw!
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A great many people have asked us "what we saw in New York City?" It would be easier to tell what we didn't see, for N. Y. is a world in itself. We saw some millions of men and a million or so of women on Broadway, the latter dressed, and acting, as if they thought the men were ignorant of the fact that women had pedal extremities and bosoms--a fact they seemed determined to establish beyond the shadow of a doubt. We saw men enough to have conquered the South in 90 days--but they didn't. We saw the Black Crook and thought it a big thing, and several other big things, but, most horrible of all, we saw a vile white, "long haired barbarian" kick a darkey out of the St. Nicolas, and the people laughed. We saw a number of Confederates doing well, but understood there were 35,000 doing badly. The Central Park, the pride of all New Yorkers, a perfect fairy land, erected by labor and art, on naturally as poor a piece of ground as can be found in the most rugged portion of Virginia is certainly wonderful, but after all it does not compare with thousands of natural Parks, we daily pass by unnoticed, in our beautiful Valley. Central Park cost millions--nature gave us ours. And so it is with the whole North and South. By emigration, labor, economy, untiring energy and concentration of their resources, they make a poor land beautiful and a people rich. What limit is there to the future prosperity of our thrice blessed land, if we profit by the good in their example?
Looking at the wonderful material development of the North--for New York is but the grand center--the Metropolis of its wonderful prosperity, we were naturally led to visit the source from which sprang the vital element, that continually added fresh life and vigor to its constantly weakened power during the war. Castle Garden, with its thousands of emigrants from all parts of the world, told us the story. Looking upon the sturdy laborers, representatives of every land, collected there, we saw, in their strong arms and generally intelligent faces, the true source of Northern prosperity, and the secret of the wonderful development of that portion of the Union flashed upon us. And we thought, and still think, that in turning the tide of labor and capital South, lies the great hope of our Country. They wish to emigrate to this Sunny land, but are educated against us. Will you take the proper means to educate them and yourselves to it? Think about it.
And lastly we saw many things we intend to impress upon our people, regardless of their past prejudices or our own. The mighty present is upon us, and we must keep up in this race for material development or die, as a people. Let us live.
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Material prosperity brings political strength. Observation North taught us that as soon as we are rich and prosperous, by hard labor, we will have our rights--not before. The people North are attending to their own material interests, which are now feeling the effects of an impoverished South, with no trade, worth speaking of, to help them in the great financial crisis through which they are now passing. A prosperous South, and local causes North, will hurl the Radical party from power. Let us see that it is no fault of ours, if this much desired consummation is postponed, or never reached.