The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1856-06-18
WELLsBURG BROOKE Co.. VA, }
Nav 1856.

WELLsBURG BROOKE Co., Va.
May 1856.
No country can be great which has DO
large rivers. They are tho great arter.
les through which circulates the life cur.
rent Of the land-the natural and easy
channels of communication between the
interior and the sea board-the vast
arms that old ocean extends in her en-.
brace of the Continent. The Ohio is
one of the noblest rivers Of America 1t
is 1000 niles in length and is unbroken
by rapids except at Louisville Ky. Here
a limestone bar stretches across the chan
nel and renders it necessary to use canal
navigation for about one mile. In high
water, however, steamers can pass these
rapids with case and safety. When Har-
Dor and River improvements become fash
ionable, this bar will be excavated, and
then the Ohio will be one of the longest
rivers unbroken by cascades on the con.
tinent. For more than eight hundred
miles, its banks are protected by nat
ural barricade of lofty hills. 1t is a
beautiful river, but is subject to great
high and low water mark, is no less than
AZ feet Hence all ,he docks are float
ing docks. that adjust themselves to the
accommodation of boatmen, 10 the differ
ent stages of high and low water. The
river is literally alive with steamers aud
fiat boats passing and repassing constant
ly. Most of the steamboats, are propel
led by huge wheel so or 60 feet iu cir
cumference, at the stern OF the boat, and
are termed stcrn-wheel steamers These
boats announce their approach by huge
steam-whistle Its unearthly and pier
cling shrek. echoiug and reverberating
among tho hills and along the shone, re-
minds one that the day of doom is ap-
preaching. Instead Of the gentle tones
of the bell, it suddenly belchos forth its
pent up power anG startles every thing
animate with its thunderous voice.
This is among the wealthics, counties
in the Old Dominion" Although we
have visited portions of thirteen different
states, yet this is the first Of our greet
ing, where slavery holds legalized cx.
istence. In stepping upon soil cursed
with the bightng evils Of despotsm for
the first time strange and unusual sem
satiou came over US. We saw that ma
ture had iavished with a profuse hand,
her blessings in every direction The
fields were carpeted in richest coors.
Tho streams murmured pleasantly in
their silvery beds the birds carollod
sweetly in the groves-the lambs gam
boiled aud played spprtively in the fields
the tall forest trees waved their stately
heads as if conscious of their freedom ;
but among those whom God had endow
ed with reason and intelligence in whose
breasts He has kindled the fires Of i'm
mortality--and for whom Saviour died,
Universal Liberty-liberty for oil, is de.
nied-a portion must put the chalice of
despotism to their lips, and continually
drink of its bittercst potations. We are
happy to state however, that in western
Virginia slavery is fast disappearing
Although it is legalized ipstitution,y yet
it is an outlaw in morals and public sen.
timent with the majority of the citizens.
At the last census only nine slaves were
found in this county. Tho stockholders
in eastern Virginia look with jealous
eye upon the citizens of western Vir'
einia, SO much so, that they have success.
fully opposed the building of a railroad
from Wheeling up the river, lest it might
prove an easy ard rapid conveyance for
their slaves, to the Free States and thence
to Canada. Although this was the first
American Soil cursed by African bond.
age, we say it, and gay it gladly, that
Virginia, the Mother of many Presidents
aud great Statesmen and heroic deeds,
was the frst in the family of nations to
raise her voice, and protest against
the Internal traffic Yes, Virginia in all,
Oh nearly all her counties, met in their
primary assemblages before patriot Hen.
rvs stormy soul had uttered tho electric
words" Give me liberty or give me
death - Ere tie first blood had flowed
at Concord or Lexington, aud placed up
on the crime of slavery tho seal of her
utter and everlasting condemnation. In
the conflict of opinions aud mistaken self
interest, wrong has triumphed over right
for time, but how cheering the Sent-
ment, how truthful also, that
Truth crushed to earth will rise again
FOL The eternal years of God, are hers;
But error wounded, writhes in pain,
And dies, amid her worshipers.'
Yesterday we speut au hour with a