Kanawha Valley star. [volume] (Charleston, Va. [W. Va.]) 1856-1861, 1857-06-16
Tho Emigration Mania.

and emIgrated to the Western cosn.
try. Some persons have been dis
posed to point to this fact, as an evi-
dence OF decline, and those who are
ever anxious TO malign Southern in.
stitutions, haYe referred to the exis-
tence of slavery as its chief cause /;
but the utter falsity Of the charge is
illustrated blythe fact that this spirit
has not been confined exclusively To
Virginia, but other States, Northern
and Southern, have felt its Influence.
Some of the wealthiest and most pro-
ductive sections of Pennsylvania and
lerk, have also8been deserted iii
the same manner, BY farmers well
situated and prosperous. There is
nothing very peculiar orJunusnal con
iiected with this matter. II has ever
been the nature of man to move to-
wards sunset. No sentiment ever
uttered was truer than that by Bishop
BERKLEY-W Westward the star Of EN-
pire takes its way II Since the
creation Of the world, this spirit has
been evidenced to the truth Of which,
history will bear witness. But there
arc numbers of old fogy croakers,
who are constantly asserting that the
q migration fTom. Virginia is an evil
OF her decline, and chat her
high rates of taxes, &c. are the chief
causes OF tllisfevil. 10 which we re-
Hly that nothing could be more
foreign to the truth. It is true, Viz
ginians are heavily taxed, but VIE
Yentnre to assert that not ore indi-
u idual has been influenced to- leave
the State on account of taxation.-
canse more potent than any
let mentioned, has been the prime
mover of this mania, aud it IS this
that has ever infuenced emigration
allnde to that mysterious III
fuence which has been exerted over
man ever since his creation, which
causes him. to leave his home, the
land of his birth, the scenes of his
childhood, and the hallowed associa-
lions pffis youth, to explore the sub
lime uncertainties of a new country
Men are often, in taking this step, in
t1uencetl more by novelty than BY
reason. The desire to see and wit
ness those scenes of which they read
and hear. SD much, induces them nat
to forsake their native country,
for the PnrRose of gratifying their Gu
riosity. Bit the desire for gain, for
great worldly possessions, Is the
great moving power. All other
causes sink into comparative insig.
niticance when brought in contact
with this. Men are naturally fond
Of money. They will forsake home,
friends, their wives, and their God
even, in order to bow at the shrine OF
The facilities for specu-
are thus held out to monied
men, and id obedience to this will,
they seek their fortunes where the
greatest promises are held out.
Bnt it was simply our design in
article 10 say a few words to
those of our readers who are DESTROYS
ofliying ia oreen old aoe, ana, en;oy
the.nselve while they do live. The
great West may hold out fair induce
eonntry IN tbe Wiaa vida w,,Id nos.
sessea ~snnerior adyantagas d onr
own-our Eoyely western Virginia
The remarks If 4 contemno5ary n
reeard 10 this matter ara s. annro.
pirate thatRw I'VE adopta tbem here
Even adm;tt;n0 fiat me- lands IN
Eastern Y irofnfa are worn ont and
eyhausted4Ifhe ,.,,rest fct;on that
was ever H vented bg nav ;maoi.
.ation-whatin the world AZ neo.
Die want stb leave Weafern VIRGINIA
!? a lando Of fertile valleys bPieht
streams. iIronniains bnrsfing Nth
mineral t~rsasnre. and never failine
We have even heard IF
people emieraatiflg from Augusta and
connties-wa sneaL q
Ihese beca,1sa ID Lnov mare 81 tbou,
personallytRan any other counties IN
Western Vfrginia.and ooing ID tl,a
West, tbqt1as last As they emIgrate,
Ihelr places# are hlled np by the
) lreM III cauIloas1 Du1chmen 81