Monongalia mirror. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1855, 1853-02-26
ORR RESOURCES.

we luNlte TIC ePSSt"i ottohS' VI
the reader to the communication OF
an able correspondent in an adjoining
column, OH the subjec, of the mime
raj wealthof the hlonongahela valley"
1t is subject which ought, at this day,
to receive the paramount consldcra-
ton of the people who reside in this
region, so abundanl!y rich and toem-
ing with the elements of wealth.
That resources so ample-a mine.
ral wealth so exhaustlcss,-and incen-
tives. to enterprise and industry proli-
fc on every hand, inviting the capital
and industry of our citizens TO their
development, should be permitted TO
remain hid and buried in their native
hills and vallics, hears comment
upon our energy and enterprise not
in accordance with the spirit Of the
age in which we live. While in eve.
nv direction in which the mind turns
an enquiring eye. we sec improve
ments carried! forwardto dcvelope the
resources of almost every communi-
ty-,o stimulate trnJe and incitc>new
energy in every department oflabor--
to increase travelling facilities and in
vitc communication between points
whose commercial interests are des-
tined to become identifed-we mast
acknowledge ourselves behind the age:
behind in the local enterprise which
would make Us more prosperous
industrious, and consequently more
wealthy community.
The means are within our grasp
to develope these abundant resources,
and we are culpablo in the degree in
which we neglect TO apply the means
in our power to improve them. Our
valley, while it abounds with mex
hauslible beds of limestone, coal, and
soil highly adapted to agricultural
pursuits, also exhibits its own means
to develope aud foster them. The
Stacking Of the river, which would
makeit navisabIe at all seasons, is me
improvement to which prudence and
economy point as the most a1a'fa1se
means in our reach to accomplish ali
obiectso desirable, and to attain an end
so Taught with incalculable aavanta-
ges TO every interest fthe communi-
ty upon which we must depend for
the degree Of our prosperity
This Improvement is at once prac-
ticable. The Company originally
chartered to improve the navigable
capacities Of the river,-while they
have done much TO increase the busl-
ness and foster the wealth of the fow-
or portion Of our valley,-are obliged
to extend the slack-water to the State
line, in the charter under which they
now hold the improvement already
made. What remains for US to do is
to compel them to comply with the
terms oftheir charter, and then go on
and complete the work until the ben-
efts Of the whole improvement will
be enjoyed by our communi'y'-ln-
stead Of, as now, paying tribute to an
enterprise which does not benefit us a
fartliing, since we are at the mercy Of
THE elements for the occasional visit
of a s,eamboat-he very uncertainty
Of which prevents its being advanta-
geous to any considerable xtent in the
affairs of our town and vicinity.
The advantages to be derived from
1.-the erection of locks and dams on our
beautiful river, seem so plain and pal
pable as to render specification su-
.I;perauous. We have only toopen oar
ewes and let in the light TO be con-
4 .yincod. Contrast the state Of affairs
ON the line ofthe improvement now
with what they we're before the whis-
lille of the steamboat inspired labor
viii new zeal, and capital with new
activity, and what is the picture but a
succession Of incontroverlible facts in
favor Of the improvement? What is
Brownsville, Monongahela city, and
the entire valley between Brownsville
and Pittsburg now, and whit were
/ they before the slackwater gave them
a certain and convenient transporta-
ton for the products oftheir industry!
Let us lave the Improvement! The
sooner the better! Let our vast re-
sources Of mineral and agricultural