Monongalia mirror. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1855, 1854-06-24
THE MONON GALlA MIRROR.

intend to transport TO Wheeling to be
made UP into nails, &c. They look up
here and see these rich treasures in such
proiusion, and they say they are going
into the business largely. do not know
that the Baltimore company wants to
accommodate us. At any rate, they
charge $2.75 per ton for carrying our
iron to Wheeling. Suppose the Mo.
nongahela and Ravenswood road were
done. Then we might send our iron to
Pittsburgh, to Philadelphia, or wherev.
er we might desire to send it. 1t is a
subject in which we are deeply inter-
es,ed, and an glad that these Pennsyl-
vanians are here. am glad that when
Northwestern Virginia is so much inter-
ested, she has Western Pennsylvania
here to aid her. Pennsylvania is the
"Key.Stone" of the Union. Virginia
is next to her. And ! rejoice that we
may now add another band to bind the
whole Union together.
Thon, what are we to dol The road
has already been made on paper. |
wish to remark that we Virginians are
in the habit of looking too much to the
State for aid. We must not do that ;
we must put our own shoulder to the
wheel. How was it with the poor boy
who, commencing life without means,
secured by his own industry and energy
the beautiful farm upon which he now
residesl The speaker alluded to some
body, we suppose, but we do not know
whom. Suppose he had been disposed
to be dependent; suppose, as we some.
times say, he had had Uncle Sam for q
rich relation, and had received a fortune
without earning it. He would not have
appreciated it; whatever we get with.
out labor we think but little Of. Was
there ever more brilliant future offered
to Western Virginia and Western Penn.
sylvania? When this road is built, and
we are enjoying its practical results,
who, ask, would go to California 3
who would seek western grave, in
stead of remaining in the paradise at
homel Are we to let this opportunity
slip7 What, repeat, are we TO do!-
First, we must appreciate it. We must
not do as we did with the Baltimore
and Ohio road-we must not wait for
other people to build it for us. do
not expect to live very long. but want
to see as much while | do live as | can
probably. How are we to secure this
road! | ask you to take this matter into
consideration-you, farmers, forifthero
is any one class more benefited by.rall'
roads than another, that class is far
mers. 1t is not the merchant; railroads
create for him too much competition
The farmer is brought into close com
munication with the rest of the world.
Spectators can no longer impose upon
him; for the railroad and the telegraph
are passing his door. am a young
man, aud know but little compared with
those whom l wanted to listen to in
stead of,alking to here to-day; but can
compare some of the recent past with
the present, and bear testimony to the
rapid strides we have here made in
population and wealth. What has done
lii? Can anybody suppose it was any
thing but our improvements! The
same property which was but a few
years since worth but one thousand dol
lars, is now worth ten thousand.
Perhaps we might rest content with
the railroad we already have; but how is
it with our neighbors of Morgantown
A few years ago, Nlonongala had more
trade than any county in Northwestern
Virginia. Now she is almost totally cut
off from this trade. Her people are if
teen or twenty miles from Market
Morgantown is in situation she does
not deserve to be in. Her interests de-
mands change. 1.-THE people of thai
glorious old county will help themselves
we will help them. and helping them
will help ourselves. So of Harrison.
Opposite Ravenswood there is rail
road running to Cincinnati and up tc
Wheeling. Ours will have a connection
with that road. Ravenswood will be {
city; the God fnalnre has so intended
it. There are lands lying between tina
little town and Harrison county, which
are now worth, j. may be said nothing
They are cut off by mountains from
market. They would be brought within
reach ofmarket, and their owners woult
rejoice with the rest of the people ben
Gifted and would bless tho movers in thi'
matter. Theirs is a deep interest. How
would it be with Westmoreland ant
Fayelte counties, in Pennsylvania
They would derive even more adyanta
ges than we, although we would receive
as much as heart could wish. Virginia
and Pennsylvania have always been uni
ted; they lave heretofore united for tn!
preservation of this glorious Union.
say let US be joined together with thes'
ligamen,s of iron to that we may be no
only "one," but "inseparable.'
: What is it ask again, that we want
We have got all that we desire on paper
we have laid down the rails from the