The West Virginia journal. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1864-1877, 1866-08-08

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We mako the following extracts from
this valuable work: "s"-5 %, o.. >.'''' Use.
INTRODUCTORY. 49,.
God, in his Wonderful providence, has
blessed our cou untry aboyo oil others with
tho most magni6ocp tprpfusion ofmiaeral
wealth. 6cn comp pnrsd With the most
favored lands, whore coal md iron nrC
essential elements Of national wealth
and greatness, our country fur SurpasscS
them oil ia her exhaustlcSs RESOURCES,
not only Of those Greos and controlling
elements, bat all the essentials to nation.
al strength and power which mako an
industrious people wealthy, prosperous,
and respected. -, -. ..a.,... .... =.
g. 10 every aspect in which we view the
wonderful resources Of our country, we
6nd cause for graduation and admiration
whether We contemplate the productions
ofthe soil, or the vast extent aud rich.
unss Of the mineral kingdom; tho wide
and varied scenes Of its distribution, or
tho typographical features and facilities
for its development. These resources,
however, arc. riyullcd by tho physical
proportions Of tho lund which We cannot
cease to lnud and admire,-whoSo limits
extend from ocean to occan, and occupy
ono.cigh,h Of tho habltablc world, With.
in tho temperate zones. ...r1 ,...a
Tho vuluc Of coal to those posscssin &
mud utilizing it is mudo manifest BY their
prosperity and the wealth and power Of
communities and nations whose economy
is largely Influenced by its tradc or dy'
mamie value. ...-.... &C.,
England furnishes tho most prominent
instances and English cities located on
or near coal, or within its direct inau.
euce, flourish, while older and formerly
moro prominent places decline. We
may mention Glasgow, Manchester, Bir'
miogham, Leeds, Sheffield, and last. but
not least, Newcastle ou.Tync. TO what
can wo attribute tho astonishing growth
Of those cities, ,or tho declining condi'
ton Of Canterbury, Winchester, Sails.
bury, uud other towns 10 the sonth OF
England, but to the presence Or absence
OF coal?
But sc nccd not look abroad for in.
stances Of its influence on cities and
communities, when so many Of our own
cities aud towns owe their growth and
prosperity to the proximity or aYal!aeII'
jity Of coal.
"Ifyou would SEQ what coal can do
for people who turn it to full account,
look at Pttsburg, city Of 10000 in.
habitants, built up by its mines of coal
There urc no drones 10 its hive; heads
and bands are. busy. Itlost S30. .OOo,ooo
by the Rebellion, without shaking its
credit No city on this continent con.
,ains moro solid wealth in proportion to
its population. Possessing in its coal
the croutivo power, it stretches out its
mighty urms and gathcrs the wealth 'oi
hulf continent into Its Imp. 1t brings
to its furnaces and forgcs tho iron and
copper Of Lako Superior; glass sand
from Now England, Missouri and llli'
uois lead from Wisconsin aud Missou'
ri; zinc, brass and tin from beyond the
sous. You pass through its gigantic
establishments, and arc smazed at the
yuristy aud extent of their perfected
productions. Yet all these, from the
most delicate fabric Of glass to the, pom.
dcrous cannon and steam.engine, are 10
tho coal which undcrlies tho smoky hills
of Pittsburg." ~ -.
The chief industrial or productive
force Of tho Slave States was derived
from tho labor of their 100000 'ol
slaves. OF these, perhaps not more than
1000, 900 wero productive as full grown
persons; or. the cntiro productive value
Of men, women and children. was equal
to tho labor Of / 900, 900 full.grown meo'
This labor, US rule, was exertcd simply
ss brute forco, wi.hout'tho; assistance OF
Skill'or mechanical means, but represent;
ed a;capital Of valuation, according to
Southern figures, Of 2,000,O00.000 dol:
lars, The Same. amount Of force would
be excrted by. 10000 horsepower 10
steam machinery, costing, at $lO0;: poi
horse. power, Sl5,000,00O. Such. an
addition Of force would be Of tenfold
more value to the e, 100000: whites Of
tho South than their slayo!labor;; or, II
added to the slave labor, under the in:
tciligept. development attainable By the
slave, The, productive power Of tho South
would be, Increased q bundredfo'd,; 40.
cordiug to the dogrco Of mechanical skill
displayed and tho uses to which tho
power is applied. ~; ~ ,.' =, =. w ..,". 49,.
The secrc. of.he rapid decay Of South:
ern resources and mems of"dcfeneo il
prinarily , 10 thoIr. lack Of coal o. their
appreciation i, Of Its yalue. Had they
developed their, niueral roso asces, which
,ie abundant, aud inereassd:theirind
t,iai,or productive power .by tho me.
ehsuicsl force: derived from the judicious
iu,S6s ssof coal and iron, those T., ,000, ,O00
ps6bfSs Hould 1r5ter havc rsbctled :, buts,
bsyt6s rebslIsd, would neIet have beer beer
bsonE t. a5niIsion. sssesr, ,.,s4. ..,.s:; q:
II ke ahilitIlo p!oduee irsa in .sGsidp.
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