Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1844-12-12

no moro than ninety.two Cents. Twenty years
afterwards, the lands, lots and buildings Of this
same district were assessed at thirty-nine and
quarter millions, and tho average value Of an
had risen to one dollar and forty cents. Twenty
years ago, the whole assessed value OF the other
three dis'rIctsSof the State amounted TO hundred
and ninety-one millions Of dollars; ii is now
hundred and seventy millions. The average then
was eight dollars, II is six dollars and sixty-six
cents now, being loss upon each particular acre
OF almost as much as the whole trans lleghany
acre was estimated TO be worth. Thus il seems,
generally, that in the last twenty years this dis
trict has added largely to its numbers; has more
than doubled the value Of its permsnen, property,
and that 1t now supplies to tho treasury more than
three dollars Tor every which il supplied even
ten years ago.
This progression, Which Is SO strikipgly con.
'rasted with the situation of things in the other
part OF the state, and which has been effected UNI
der multiplied discouragemen,s TO population and
labor is the clear proof of an intrinsic andavail-
aoie el,cency' requiring nothing for still higher
and better results, but the encouraging and up
holding hand of the state. Had i, been thus en-
couraged and upheld at an early day, aud the
locked up recesscs Of this district thrown open,
by highways TO profitable settlement, and trade,
there can be no doubt upon the facts prssented
out mat It's numbers and property, and con,ribu-
lions to the treasury, would all Of them have been
intellectually greater than they are row. This
support 1t is still practicable TO give. IT is still
practicable to make this district as powerful in
TACT as II Is powerful in capabilities; 10 make It.
what II has every physical faculty tobecome, the
strongest aud wealthest portion of the coMmon-
wealth., and SO to make ii eventually, the strong
est and weallhiest contributor also every tipan-
ciai or other want which the commonwealth may
feel. N''
III the contrary policy, however, is to be pur.
sueo' and this country is TO be committed, for
It's further development and prosperity to its own
internal means, upon the idea that they and they
aiohe are enough iof that end, 1t is as easy as it
Is painful to see the results that must follow.
Let the present condition Of the western states.
ana Tie effect OF i, upon the future growth OF
! 'his very part OF our own, be considered, and il
VIII be difficult not to see that the policy which
VIII leave that growth TO maintain and inyuoraie
i'seii cannot be adopted without imminent risk of
positive and irrevocahle mischief. For n,anv
years during which this frontier part of the stale
was growing up to what it now is, the vast coun-
| Try which lies beyond it to the west was more
dfeary, repulsive and wilder frontier than itself
| having no advantages of habitailon or OF promise
greater than It's own. And long since these for
oiuding features OF it have been lost in the beau
'"ui transformation which it now wears. Down
even 10 our day, there was not canal nor a rail-
| way nor steamboat in all that magnificent re-
gion, so that citizen of Virginia, when even
s'anoing upon It's great highways of water and
looking up The Ohio or looking down the Missis-
supp Tor an avenue OF trade with the world, YVES
no better OIL than when looking for it amongst
| the pathways OF his mountains. This is not so
now. Steam, with all Of its powers and appfn-
oases, is there marking every thing with the trnce
OF revolution. The wilderness is gone The
'ron'er which was ruggeder than our own, has
given way to popnlous and powerful comullni-
lles' which are rich in every thing that commerce
ana soil aud schools--that civilization and ma
ND lee, Ii
lhat account as amongst the choicest places in
'he Union Tor residence and home.
inese communities, thus powerful in every in.
'efnal advantage which can operate as bounty to
| emigration, are now our rivals, and will contend
successfully too, for the population of obstruct-
ca district, unless we apply ourselves to imme-
date and effective couneraction.-We must re-
sist or must sUher. Just say to the inhabitants
OF maj country standing in the very presence of
ihese States, and looking upon the buoyancy and
health OF their young and virgin prosperity, that
notnng is to be done for them; that much as we
deplore the existence of that mountain barrier
which separates them from all profitable connec-
ton with the Atlantic cities, not dollar can be
spared TO remove II. Just say this, ana let them
be commended TO the patient and sef-denying
virtues which are best suited to a stae such as
their oil privalion and struggle, and 10 one can
doubt but masses ofihem will resort 10 immediate
emigration as the only sure remedy that is lief,
them. And emigration, in this case does not de-
ter or aftiict os when it involves theahandonment
oil ones country 1t is but the change Of one
spot Of American soil for another 6rfeiting to the
emigrant not particle of his political rights and
assuring him, al last, of welcone incorporation
with communities of people, whose government
institutions and laws are all of them Kindred with
those OF the place Of his nativity. Under these
circumstances, whilst there are some with whom
the sentiment OF veneration for the place of their
birth has never lost any potion of its almost
mysterious power, by conflict with their interest,
and who cannot and will NOT in consequence. be
separated from the scenes D their childhood and
the graves OF their fa,hers-Iwhlstt there are such
throng after throng of Others will leave u.s. and
VIII take TO other states TINT living, thinking and
acting power, which, of al others, it is the most
enriching to receive and the most ruinous TO
spare.
1t Is unde. the profouDlest conviction that this
result is inevitable, in scme greater or less degree
unless II is prevented b. the wise and energetic
action OF the Legislature, that deem it nv dutv
to call upon you earnestly to begin that action
now. Whether it be.hought wsest at first TO
attempt little or much let something, at least. be
gnn.-bets some achal and useful step be taken,
and taken as an earnest of what is TO follow Let
the people of our uninproved and distant sections
be made TO understand and TO feel that thew are
not to be abandoned; that The policy Of internal
Improvement, whicl is so vital 10 them is TO he
The permanent polly of the state, and that it will
oe prosecuted WIN such vigour as 10 furnish
guarantees, upon tie one hand, that something eff.
fectual will be dine, and at the same time with
such prudence as to protect the state, the other
hand, against all the dangers of excessive in.
Movement.
Should othei councils prevail, and the policy
OF postponemeit be resolved upon as the true and
wise policy fos the case, there is reason to fear
that perlnapnt decline will have set in upon us;
that year aitfr year we shall be called upon to
mourn ovefa population and property still
shrinking; oyer sectional jealousy still growing
stronger aY1 deeper; over beloved and venerated