Valley Virginian
The Last Shot of the War
Words Fitly Spoken
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There is one thing, says the Washington Evening Express, that Virginia more needs at this time than any other, it is immigration. The revolution in labor resulting from the late war renders it impracticable to attempt the prosecution of agricultural enterprise on the old plan, and to depend on the present generation of freedmen for anything like regular labor to rely, in too many instances, on a broken reed. Consequently, the large plantations must be divided and sold to thrifty, practical, and enterprising persons from the more densely populated States, thousands of whom would gladly avail themselves of the opportunity to settle on the prolific soil of the Old Dominion, and would bring into the State that manly vigor and steady purpose which, in a few years, will develop her inexhaustible resources, and bring millions to the pockets of her people.
The Leadership of the South
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The planting interest of the South in former times controlled it, and this not simply by virtue of position, but because of fitness, intelligence, and independence. It is right that the intelligent class in a community should rule it, and we would be sorry to see the leadership of the South pass into the hands of irresponsible demagogues. But the late slave owners must do their duty. They are now a meagre minority. Many of them, too, are disfranchised. We regard this as unfortunate, but the deed is done, and it only makes it the more imperative on those whose position, culture, and experience entitle them to lead, that they should do their duty. And this requires that they should so mingle with the people as to enlighten and instruct them, especially in the principles of political economy, that they should become familiar with their wishes and their opinions, ascertain their grievances, discuss with them their purposes, and generally expose their blunders. On the intelligence of a community rests the responsibility of guiding it. If its educated men and accomplished women seclude themselves from society they are guilty of a gross betrayal of their trust. They have no moral right to give way to a selfish exclusion that would thrust their obligations upon less competent shoulders. The exhibition of an earnest, honest desire to ameliorate the condition of the colored people of the South, on the part of the leading whites, will do more towards retaining the rightful leadership of the latter than all the tricks or legislative devices that may be contrived. The day of dictation is passed. The authority based on forces is ended; that based on freely recognized fitness is, after all, more potent. For as there is no government so strong as a republic which rests on the free will of the people, so there is no leadership so secure as that which rests on the genuine appresiation and honest affection of those led.--Washington Express.