The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1868-10-14
The Norfolk Convention.

ventions was confined almost exclusively to
the clergy and politicians Of the land But
the necessity for general consultation has at
length recommended itself to every profess
sion and branch Of trade. The spirit Of i'm
provement impreguates the grand chaos Of
inaction and speaks into creation system by
which all classes of mankind are benefited
The example set to the world by progressive
Europe, has at last found an imitation on
these Western shores. Abroad, with an ex-
periencc of centuries, the various nations
have instituted custom to which their soci-
cety at large is much indebted. The clergy
have their councils. and every diocese is thus
brought into Christian fellowship. Abuses
are abolished, prejudice and bigotry retreat
in shame, and the banner Of Zion is lifted
from the dust of narrow mindedness. Poll
tics have broader range and more COM
prehensive idea of shifting events. Art
finds in her annual conventions stimulant
to nobler achievements, and pleasant sodal-
ity heretofore denied Science increases her
opportunities for advancement-and the
Trades enjoy in this medium of consultation
hope of substantial success which cannot
be easily shaken. Shoemakcrs, tailors, me-
chanics, printers, school-teachers, editors,
lawyers, and other trades and occupations
and professions, are alike benefitted-and
with the interchange Of thought which the
system of conventions elicits from sectional
quarters great stimulus is given to every
variety Of industry and energy.
Nolfolk is one of the fayorite cities of our
beloved Virginia Her people are Virginians
and truly interested in Virginia enterprises.
Her harbor is second to that of none other
in the world Nature has endowed her most
literally with physical advantages over many
other sister towns, AMI she is now called upon
to improve her many talents. A CONNER
cial Convention could not be held in more
fitting place than Norfolk. She is the natu-
raj secretary Of our foreign affairs to our
State; through her we must transact at pres
cnt our foreign business; and we doubt not
that her former prestige for conmercial sag
acity will shine most brilliantly in this pres
ent night of our sectional gloom. Let our
people sustain "good old Norfolk" in this
meeting; let such leader as General Ma
hone be encouraged in his efforts to build up
our State let regular line of foreign steam
ers complete the Southern connection be-
tween California and Europe, and our pres
ent helplessness will change its features to
those of a thoroughly independent section.
Let the wealthy men Of our State attend the
Norfolk Convention; let them spare neither
means nor personal attention to the CONNER
cal project which will shortly engage their
attention, and VIC can safely predict glori-
Gus future to our great old Commonwealth.
The Valley Railroae.
The Fincastle Herald says:-Our former
legislation on the subject Of railroads was un-
wise. 1t sought to build up a few interior
cities, not by the sure means of developing
the more fertile and populous agricultural dis
triets of the State, but by establishing numer-
GUS little lines of railway from one pet city to
another, and at the same time refusing to open
up the better portions of the State, for fear
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trade might possibly find its way to Baltimore
instead of to Lynchburg and Richmond.
What has been the result?
Baltimore, anxious to secure for herself, not
only the trade of the great Valley, but link
in the Southern Pacific thoroughfare, has
though the Baltimore and Ohio R. r. Com
pany, taken advantage Of the short-sighted
policy of Eastern Virginia, and now holds out
to our people the only tangible hope they have
ever had Of railroad.
Had some Of the vast sums Of money
squandered so iavishly by the State, in former
years, upon Eastern railroads, commencing al
nowhere and terminating at the next station,
been appropriated to the construction Of a line
running from Salem to Staunton the trade
of the Valley would to-day be pouring into
Richmond and Norfolk, and the Alexandra
and Orange r. r. on one side, and the Vir
ginia and Tennessee r. r. on the other, be
ultimately the Virginia link in the Pacific
thoroughfare.
AS it is, the B. & o. R. r. Company will
build the Valley road and make it one of the
connecting links in the Southern Pacific.
We would rather our own State to build
the road But this is now out of the question
and railroad we mast have, build it who
may. The enterprise Of the Valley has
languished long enough for want of an outlet
to the world Her coal and iron cannot be
allowed to slumber longer up yonder in the
mountains. Her people are not satisfied tc
dream while others are awake and doing
They yearn to hear the whistle of the engine
But why does the work lag? The expecta
tons Of our people have been somewhat dis
appointed by the hardness of the B. & 0. R
R. Company.
We are glad to see the matter being again