The Daily Dispatch: December 12, 1865., [Electronic resource]

From the earliest period of its existence to the day of its temporary suspension, this paper was the earnest, strenuous and persistent advocate of a wise and extensive system of internal improvements, and of all enterprises having for their object the development of the immense natural resources which distinguish Virginia, not only above every other State of the Union, but, we are disposed to believe, above all the other regions of the earth. It will continue to occupy that ground, which has become, by the result of the late war, the most important it could possibly assume. In former times, Virginia devoted too much attention to Federal polities. In consequence, it, to a great extent, neglected her own internal concerns, thereby permitting other States, not comparable in point of natural advantages, to steal a march upon her, and to pass her in the grand march of national progress. This will be so no longer. Virginia will now direct all her energies to her own improvement and development. The prospect is, that she will have but little to do with Federal politics, at least for a long time to come. This seems to her a hardship, and is, no doubt, injustice. But it may all turn to her advantage if she only use the means to convert an apparent evil into a real good.

The future of Virginia is glorious, in spite of the clouds which overhang her at present. She has as fine lands as any on the continent; they must be cultivated. She has the largest mineral resources in the world; they must be developed. She has an inchoate system of internal improvements of stupendous magnitude and importance; it must be completed. She requires immigrants to fill up the deficiencies in her population; they must be introduced. All these things must be done, and each one of them might tax all the time and all the energies of a whole generation of statesmen (not politicians and politicians, but statesmen) Let our aspiring men be assured that they will find room enough for all the talents they may possess here in Virginia without sighing for the flesh-pots of Egypt; that is, for the offices and spoils of the General Government.