Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1860-08-14
Bath and HighIand Items.

Dear Spectator Sometime since you com
plimented me by receiving and publishing few
items sent you, and | now venture to send you
a few more.
The county of Highland bears acquaintance
remarkably well indeed. The more the travel
Ter sees of its land and population, the more i'm
pressed is he with the belief that it is one of the
best of our mountain counties. Ii the resources
OF this county Were properly developed, it would
unquestionably be one of considerable wealth
and were that attention paid to education
which the capacities of the young deserve, there
would soon be much more intelligence and re-
fnement. During my recent sojourn in these
counties, Bath u Highland | was curious to
learn the intolerance to their prosperity, and
spent sometime in specializing upon the reasons
that may be assigned, for their not fully coming
up to what they ought to be in all that consti-
tutes real thrift. | frequently asked myself,
"Why is it there are not more evidences Of public
spirit in keeping up good roads, sustaining
schools and building such neat aud tasteful
churches as the wealth and character of the peo-
pie would call fors" Upon inquiry and retiec
tion found that different reasons are assigna-
BILE. One that surprises me very much is to be
found in the tact, that many OF the most int1u.
entail citizens seem to regard themselves as un-
settled, and feel as if they would like to sell out
and go elsewhere, to locate permanently, though
they live in one OF the most beautiful and healthy
regions In the world, yet their hearts are some.
where else.
Thus not feeling settled for life, it is not to be
expected that they would be very public spirit
ed, and their example has deleterious and par
alyZing influence on all around them. Others
possessing ample means, it must be frankly said,
are too narrow minded, selfish and stingy to en-
gage in anything like a combined and liberal eff
fort to promote public Improvement.
Hence the burden falls upon the shoulders of
few. But l am happy to say that these few
are men of the right stamp, who have wills to
dare, and means to execute and in the past few
years they have made their mark, and are still
at work, and by looking over the list of your
subscribers, you will ascertain the names of
many of these good and true men.
One of the most serious impediments besides
what have mentioned, (and which l think
should be guarded against it possibleO is to be
found in this In years past, young men, ad-
venturers from abroad, such as retired stage
drivers, young Doctors and dry goods clerks,
who failed to get employment elsewhere, for d.
vers reasons, engaged in business in these coun-
ties; and having toied for years upon the skin
-its-hide-and-talow principle, some of
them amassed considerable wealth, and in the
course of time became the would-be Arstocracy
of the county. Finally they become dissatisfied
with the society around them, and they either
sell out or leave their farms occupied by tenants
and locate their families in some place held in
reputation for good society.
Thus instead of remaining and being benefit
to the counties to which they owe their all,
using their means and influence in improving so
ciety and promoting the pnblic good, they yield
to their aspirations to rub against the genuine
aristocracy elsewhere, on capital which graft
tude should prompt them to spend where it was
made In eeyating society and supporting schools,
even at moro sacrifice if need DO.
1t is to be hoped that this thing of seeking So
ciety will go out of fashion in these counties
soon, and that the time will come when the
tenantry will not occupy some Of the best FARMS
but when they shall be occupied by owners de-
voted to the interests of their counties, such
owners as will feel that it will be far more to
their credit to remain where they are and make
good society, than leave all and seek it ready
made, elsewhere, in places far less blessed with
natural advantages.
/ have given you the result of my specula-
tions upon the serions drawbacks upon the pros
perity OF these delightful mountain counties
and which explains much which would other,
wise puzzle stranger. think Mr.. Editor,
better day is coming, the future is evidently
Frightening. Yours Sincerely ITEMIzER.
ALEXANDRIA SHOE FAoroRY.-We are pleased