Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1854-09-20


Te think it mar well be source Of gen
eraI cougrasalasion that the days ses 'ahsirac-
ton ia Virginia are passing away. Without
touching the question in political sense at
al. We conciess that al must admit the fact
that Virginia has until within few years
'passed, rather refrigerated than advanced, At
least in material prosperity. Her sons, glo i
rYing in tho pristine henor and fame Of the
old commonwealth, have seemed to be con
tented in treasuring the traditionary honors
which their fathers FAD bar aed down 70 them
little caring whether they kept pace il any
degree With that race for riches, which is
uow the ruling passion Of the age. Whilst
then we have no disposition to ineuleate an
oyerweeniog love oflacre; whilst we are very
far from desiring to exalG tue Almighty Dol
lar into an unwonted position Of Importance,
We do yet rejoice that the policy Of Virginia
IS undergoing marked ard decided ehange.
10 any point OF view, different line Of policy
is not only needed but demanded sinca with
the decay in massri9l strength and Importance
must come q proportioaate diminution 10 the
Political influence which she shall exercise, as
compared with her sister States But let US
nov keep on manfullJ and consistently ia the
course Of policy which bas been for some time
pursued; let the waste lands be reclaimed
from their condition Of baroness and unprof-
itableness; let, indeed, The great agricultu-
raj interests Of the State be fostesed and en-
couragad in every way, By means Of such
Fairs as wo are holding, and By the Whole
concentrated energies Of sho people, aud let
also the Internal Improvement system so
wisely begun be disersetly carried oat,--let
these things but be properly attended to, VIC
saw, ind The dawn Of our States redemption
which is now but just breakiog in the west,
viii burst forth ia tho full Blaze Of glorious
fruition.
The chief obstacle which interferes with
the Full development Of The resources Of Vir-
GINA is without doubt the bugbear oftaxation.
We call it hugboar since it is the mistaken
and suicidal policy ofsoakiug to avoid it which
often defeats the best laid and most cherished
schemes Of Improvement. It viii indeed be
q happy day for Virginia when her people can
be brought fully to comprehend that all tax
alton IL not tyranical oppression, but That on
the contrary il is often that which is most to
DO courted as leading to beneficial and remu
nerative results in the end We know that
in tho northern cities property is often taxed
to an amount equal 70 the whole purchase
money originally paid fer it; but then again
that same property viii command in the mar
l-et, after it is improved. more than double
its cost with the tax superadded.
Dut we do nc: Despair. Who would have
believed ten years ago that re should at this
day haze a snnnol completed half way through
The heart Of the Blue Ridge? and still more
wonderful train Of cars sailing Ike huge
kito With its pendant tail, across the top Of
that chain Of mountains! Progress is the
gord, and we hope to hear its echoes ring
throughout the land until the whole country
is redeemed and every waste place in it made
to blossom Ike tho rose Rick. Pos.