Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1851-05-28
NO. XVIII.
voa srrcrAroa.
WASHINGTON, May, 1851.

TO A YOUNG FRIEND IN THE MOCsTAIB0
WASHINGTON, MAY, 1851.
The difference in the number of great and
useful men produced by the two great Sec
tons of the State, has often been the SUBJ
ject of observation. This is the result of
various causes. Western Virginia was a
wilderness while East Virginia contained .
a large population. But, whatever be the
cause, it is certain difference in native in
tellect, is not. The main cause doubtless,
is, the difference in attention to education.
There are ten educated men and women in
East Virginia to one in Western. And here
I would remark incidentally, that consider.
ing the age of the State and the amount Of
population no country in the rorld has ev-
er produced in the same territory such gal
axy of really great men as Eastern Virgin
ia. What country, in the same time has
produced such list as can gives Wash
ington, Madison, Monroe, Jefferson, Henry,
Mason, Marshal, Clay, Randolph, Rives.
and many others Of minor but great fame.
1t is likewise remarkable fact that the abb
origines who inhabited this region were
remarkable for their intelligence.
The intellectual contests which have been
going on in the State Legislature, and is
now progressing with perfect din in the
Convention has generally and / fear will
now result in the defeat of the mountains.
It is true we have and have had able men
representing us. But it will be no dispar.
agement to the Western section to say, for
it is the truth, that heretofore at least tho
East has had the advantage.
In native intellect and sound judgment,
the minds of the West are fully equal to tho
East. A close and comparative observation
has convinced me of this fact. And why
should it not be so? The latitude is the
same. Climate equally delightful and In
VIBRATING. The intellect of Western Virgin
ia is equal in strength and quality to the
rich marble which lies unquarried in her
mountains. There is every thing in her clim-
ate, the Scotch grandeur Of her mountaIns,the
Arcadian softness and variety Of her scene
ry, to expand the mind. While she has not
produced the same number of great men as
Eastern Virginia, mighty men have, at long
intervals, it is true, arisen in this section
And doubtless there ar still there many" Mute
inglorious Hampdens ;'much intellect capa-
BILE, with proper culture, of great efforts in
any department. much poetry unsung;
much eloquence unexpressed, and the day
must come when the beauty ofthe landscape
will equal the natural, when men will arise
in her midst, to "shake the Senate" or pour
forth the pastoral strains Of Burns.
There is not that diff renee in the intel
lect of men which is generally supposed to
exist. The difference is not so much in capac-
ity, as in exercise and development. New
ton acknowledged that it was only by con-
tinuous and close attention, he was able to
unfold the wonderful powers of nature. De-
mothenes had to contend with even great
natural defects. Peculiar circumstances de-
velop mind and give turn to character.
Daniel Webster was once no orator. In ev-
cry grade of society, you see the rude ma
terlal and mental development according to
circumstances and each is comparatively
great in their respective spheres. The hum
Bic Judge in the lowest order of courts may
show as much native power of mind and
clearness of Judgment as the learned Judge
with all his books. With proper culture.
those in the lowest ranks could rise to the
very highest.
We look on great men of whom we have
read and heard, as men almost super-human.
A nearer view would often produce differ
ent impression. By nearer inspection, we
still find them great, but not super-human.
We find them men, who by the continual
exercise of good minds, on great subjects.
have expanded the mind in proportion to
the subject. The mighty interests of * all the
minutie of national affairs have become as
familiar to them as the affairs of acounty or
village. BY continual exercise, the mind
has became wide, mighty, grand, and CON-
prehensive, like Virgils picture Of fame,
"slobliste viget wires que adqurit eundo;
Parva metu primo mox sese attollit IN auTas
Ingrediturque solo, Ell eaput inter nSbila eondif"
ANY one with good natural powers, with
industry and an honorable ambition .nay be
what the world calls great, and with true
moral principal really great.
While some may oyerate, many underrate
their own powers, and the possessor some
times is not conscious that he has power
which if properly exercised would leave
impression on his generation. With your
permission will trouble you once more on
this subject. !.
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