Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1846-10-29

was called on, by Mr.. James, he (Mr. NJ was
about to rise, according To an ntimation from the
Chair, to move an adjournment. He now rose for
that purpose but begged leave to premise few
For ope, he was particularly obliged to Col. +.
Tor having done SO much to prevent the meeting
from passing off without some in,eres, and ANNA,
ton. He believed one reason of the indifference
ana apathy towards important public meetings i'm
the city, was the want OF concert and preparation
ON the part of those who called them. Ii some
gentleman would prepare propositions to submit,
enforce them IN an animated address, and have some
one also prepared and assigned to second them, in
the same manner, different and deeper interest
would be felt, in our meetings. Ii was true, that
gentleman we'll qualified, had been expected to ad-
dress the meeting but he being detained, there
was no one who felt specially designated and called
on to act as his substitute and hence time was lost
and our proceedings, instead of being prompt and
animated, Were slow and liieless and there was
hardly spirit enough 10 adjourn, when we had fin
ished Tie was sure, that more concert and anima-
ton ON the part of those who got up public meet
mgs, would increase the attendance upon them by
aliording more entertainment to those who assem-
bled.
Another reason for the indifference and inaction
said to prevail in Richmond, towards the proposed
improvements, might be the superstition, that as
get the benefit of them, whenever they Were com
peted. But enough had been said to- night to dis
pei this idea. The efforts of the Baltimore and
OHIO Railroad TO go to Parkersburg, were well
Known, and the appliances they had used to procure
the right OF way from the Legislature were, in his
opinion, often Objectionable A convention had re-
Gently been held at Weston, on this subject
and Richmond had better be up and moving in her
own behalf
And she had other motives for putting forth her
cXertions, at once. The extensive improvements
now IN progress, were indeed most gratifying TO
every inhabitant and we'll wisher of the city EN-
bankments Were thrown across deep valleys to
form new streets, new pavements and sidewalks
Were laid down, old buildings were renovated, new
ones erected, and we have our handsome Marshall
places, and Linden squares. Now, delightful as
all this was, 1t produced the enquiry is this to con-
tnueF Is there permanent commercial basis for
all this present prosperity? In conversations with
property holders, men of intelligence old citizens
he had heard doubts expressed, whether too much
capital was not here being planted i'm the Earth
whether In all these Improvements we were not
running ahead OF the permanent of the CT
W. he question was an important one and Rich
niond should ut once put forth the of Brareus
II she could command them, that her present pros
penty, III which we all so much exulted might be
placed on an everlasting foundation. For himself,
he felt deep interest in these mattcrs,-flr be
yond any thrilling pecunary interest he might eve,
nave, and that he would rejoice in her prosperity
whether he shared it or not
Joseph Mayo, Esq, again rose. and remarked that
the object OF the meeting was emnently practical
| ana the view which had just been taken was pre-
clSely his own. There was too much apathy
Each and every member of the community, when
spoken to, Will think and feel, but many seem in
disposed to act. The West must know this-peo-
pie who are looking to must know it and it is
therefore essential that out and exert our
selves. 1t has been suggested to me (said Mr. M J
that, TO accomplish this object, get up an in
temperate society, instead OF temperance society
Tor surely we are not irrecoverably dead He
wished to suggest the project, that we might act.
whenever we got anything of this kind started He
hoped such society might be formed that we
might no ionger-as 10 organzation-be supposed
dead.
Mr. +. James again rose. He had Che sad)
hesltated to say much for, as was known he smoke
strongly-it was his nature. He had remarked
mat, as a community, we We're dead to this enter
prise. He confessed he had felt we were so dead
that gavanlc battery could not enliven u.s. but he
was willing to withdraw that expression. His OBJ
Ject was to arouse, as 1t seemed people We're arous-
ed every where else but here He knew there
were discouragements some had learned hard les
sons-had spent fortunes in the James River enter
PRISE. But when he looked abroad, and saw what
other States We're doing, he was not willing to les
sen his zeal for our good old Commonwealth O.
ther States were moving by steam. He was amaz-
ca, during recent visit to the city of Boston, to
behold even the rate of travel upon their Railroads
Between 80 and 90 miles per hour! In view of
these facts, we must wake up; if we do not, what
chance is there to maintain our existence? In the
West there is but one sentiment: the East must
meet them upon mutual grounds, or they will 90
down the Valley. Though the consequence be a
division Of the State, they will 90 there But he
haa no fears OF that alarming step. He strong
~ IN favor Of the proposed Incorporate society.
W hen MIR. James concluded a motion was made
to adjourn, and the meeting adjourned