Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1847-01-14
utfhmour Gorrgspouueuee
RrcHaoxD, January 9th, 1877.
To the Editor Of tie Gazette:

mon Schools, but my time hes been so much
occupied that have not found the leisure to
digest them properly, but viii take some fit
occasion during the session TO carry out M
promise. The Senate is again in session, and
the House Of Delegates have elected the Hon.
Jons w. JosEs. Speaker, in the place Of The
Hon. VIM 0. GooDE, resigned. ] think now
that every thing is ia gear--.he businessof leg
islation will proceed wiihou, interruption. |
have never seen more intense desire prevail
ing in the General Assembly OF Virginia for
the regeneration, prosperity aud Improvement
Of he State than prevails pow--but At the
same time do not see much prospect Of accom-
plishing the desired end. This state Of uncer-
tainty, aud doubt, and difficulty, arises IL a
great degree, from the long sleep in which VIZ
gina has INDUCED herself-she seems to have
been aroused as il were suddenly, aud stands
hewdered-Staies Of but Yesterdays growth,
as IT were, have been sriding on to wealth,
power and greatness, while she with all the nat
ural advantages and clements Of greatness that
could be showered on, around and about her by
bountiful providence, has been sinking aud
going 10 decay-a premature old age is upon
her--a decrepitude most unexampled has SCI
zed her every limb, and the world stands and
looks on with astonishnent and ply. Her
awakened sons now behold her true condition,
they feel deeply and keenly feel the jeers and
taunts thrown at her, and they hold up the
shield Of the names and deeds OF our Wash.
ISGToNs, RAsDoLPHs, MspIsoss. MARsnALLs,
&c. &C., out i, Will not do--Virginia cannot
expect to prosper and so forward " The march
Of empire" by hanging lstlessly upon the past
She must regard the present, aud now look for.
ward into the future, and see VIVA, is 10 be
done what will revive her prosperity
op her resources--adyanee her greatness and
elevate the masses Of her people? | have
said the General Assembly is alive to the
wants and necessities Of the State, but the DIFF
| Gully was TO get at the work of regeneration.
The people have slept too long-long years
have passed without doing any thing--had
4 =
should have been, the great work would now
be easy Of Accomplishment. But as it IS, all is
| stopped because all sections are pushing for
their own. There does not seem TO be that
enlightened and enlarged liberality and states
manship which surveys the whole State, and
regards all parts equally entitled TO the paren-
tai care Of the Legislature. Sectional legisia
ton is the order Of the day, and under its in.
fluence, | fear very much that the North Yves
tern portion Of the State will be obliged to be
a most material sufferer.
The late letter Of Mr.. McLAxE, the Presi-
dent of the B. & 0. r. X. Company, TO the
Pittsburg Committee, has excited great feeling
here. Ii is manifest that the Baltimore Com
pany look alone to the Right Of Way to point
below Wheeling on the OHIO River as the sine
qua non OF the further prosecution of their
Road Westward. | have thought for two
years past thatthe Company would never, ne
yer, never accept the Wheeling terminu, in
that belief | s,ill remain; it then becomes a
most important and momentous question for
the Legislature to consider whether they will
debar and deprive the whole North West of
the benefits arising from the construction Of this
Road through our territory, by denying The
Right Of Hay 10 Parkersburg; or in other
words. the incorporation Of the Potomac and
Ohio Rail Road Company, The Right Of
Hay discussion is set for Tuesday, the 10Th
INST, when Mr.. EDGuNGToY, the interchangeable,
able and eloquent Delegate from Wheeling,
will open the discussion, and of course make
a desperate effort to defeat the Parkersburg
route. He will likely, nay, | may say, certain
ly succeed, as the Kanawha interests will
come in body 10 his support, not that they
love Parkersburg less, but because they love
themselves more. But shall keep you ad.
vised ofthe progress Of the discussion.
Is il reduced 10 stubborn fact, that the BALI
more Company will never accept the Wheo,
ing route ?-is ii at all likely tha, Virginia viii
ever undertake the gigantic work Of construct
ing Road from Alexandra TO the Ohio?-
regard both as highly improbable-then
what does wisdom and proper regard for the
interests Of the State imperiously demand OF
the Legislature ?-The Right Of Way to the
Baltimore Company, who will construct a
most magnificent Road through her territory
without one dollar OF cost TO the Treasury OF
Virginia, and open up section OF our Stale
whose prolific sell aud saubriouS climate will
invite thousands 10 her dominions-increase
her wealth, her industry and her genera pros
peri,y. Can ii be that the Legislature will sui-
fer local jealousics ana considerations 10 cash
the cup Of prosperity from the lips oGlhe state!
Nous rerronS.
On the legislative proceedings Of he past
week, have not much, IL any eomaenl 10
make shall give them 10 you as tIley oeclr-
red. without pretending TO notice '-SAe tuJus-
and and one" local matters which taAe Up
much Of oui sessions, anG pom which there is
much useless lalking-loins no gool, and con-
stunning much valuable and precious Tine
Young members, blessed with the gift Of the
CAB, are almost always certain 10 kl.l them
selves and their influence, BY 100 ipquen,
speaking ;"--the FIRST men Of the House only
speak when they have something to say-are
short and 10 the point