The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1858-02-10
From Ii. s., cIair.ville Republican.
!. a trim Dol yYestern Virrinia.

20. \ trip 80 western virginia.
MR EDIToR.- Western Virginia, is more than
what IS called the"Pan Handler" as the latter
embraces merely two or three counties up in
the long narrow neck between Penn. and the
Ohio river. There are many large counties in
Western Va. and territory enough to constitute
a state much larger than a number of NewE ng-
land states, 1t embraces all that extent ofcou.
try west of the Alleghanies, south to Kentucky
and to the Ohio river. travelled through some
portion Of this country recently-up the line Of
the Baltimore Road to Grafton, one hundred
miles from Wheeling-then west along the
Parkersburgh Branch to Clarksburgh then
south into Lewis vnd Upsher counties. The
Baltimore Road necessarily runs along the wa.
rer-conrse, and the country in sight of a traveller
is rough and forbidding-but not more abrubt
generally, yet more mountainous, than along
the Roads in Eastern Ohio. From Grafton to
Clarksburgh, the Rail Road passes thro' char
ming region, beginning now fairly to open out
its advantages and resources. South Of Clarks
burgh, as Ear as / travelled into Lewis and Up
sher counties, the country is generally as fine
as any ever saw, Of the billy kind embracing
lofty slopes gradually rising and receding-vast
plains Spreading out, and great extents of the
best ofbottom land. There is much less Of the
country untllable than people out here imagine
the hills, though high. are so gradual iu their
ascent that they can generally be used in far.
ming purposes.
The sml is generally of marty species, and
the water soft, with the finest building stone,
under the surface. There is very little loose
stone to be found on the surface in that vicinity
as in the mountainous regions Of Pa, or even in
Eastern Ohio. Though there is Limestone, and
great abundance ofexcellcnt coal, yet there is
but little of that red or black clay, so subject to
slipping in this part OF our State. There land
slides are very rare, and the hill sides are more
easily titled than in Ohio as grazing country,
it is not surpassed in any of the Western coun-
ties of Ohio The native grasses, and the sta.
tionary qualities Of the soil, make the finest
meadows on the Cops and sides of the hills.
Hence cattle raising is the principle money ma
king business. Grazing farms ale numerous
and mostly very large, and this is one of the
chief drawbacks in tc improvement of Western
Virginia. The farms are TOO large II they
were much less and better cultivated, they
would yield immensely in the richest product.
They need agricultural fars to stimulate the
people to adopt the improved modes oftilling the
soil. The countryis also, well adapted to wool
growing; but as yet none but the common Sheep
are grown. The day is not far distant when
that whole region will be trebled in wealth by
improved farming wool growing &c. 1t is now
a good place for land speculation, and many are
moving there from Pennsylvania, Maryland,
Eastern Va, and other older countries, and
even from Ohio. 1t is better place to invest
money than the fablci West, of this there is no
doubt.
The great hintlrance to the advancement Of
Western Va, is the want ofgood schools. This
is sad deficiency acknowledged by them.
Good schools are veryrare, and-many Children
have no opportunity ofobtaining an Education.
Whatever may be politicians view Of the evil OF
Slavery, am convinced, that Slavery is not the
curse ofWestern Virginia. There is more ado,
on this vexed question than it merits, so far as
this part of the Old Dominion is concerned and
fall would do more for morals and Education,
and cease making party political hobby Of this
mooted point, it would be better for each
section, and the whole nation. The people of
Western Virginia are verv hospitable and gen
erous, and mostly free from that rninous dspo
stion to cast in society," which is cursing the So
ciality of the free States. An honorable man is
there honored though he be poor. Riches there
is no excuse for meanness. s tf
eaeG .s s. aRs sa, OBSERVER. .