The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1868-09-09
Practical Reconstruction.

Practical Reconstruction.
Since Capt. John Smith landed in the
virgin land-Virginia since Spootswood
crossed Rock6sh Gap with his Horse Shoe
Knights, and discovered the Goshen land of
"West Augusta" -Virginia's far-seeing
statesmen have earnestly sought for an out
let to her Western children, the States given
by her generosity to the Union, underline Con-
Stitutiaa
Her Washington suggested the Great
Water Line, the James River and Kanawha
Canal. 1t has dragged its slow length along
for years and now sticks fast in the mud of
Rockbridge, and Botctourt. : The ripple of
the waters, of the North and James never
ceased to echo the cry of the West :"Come on
connect us with the Atlantic and ali is
well y but, the war and its desolations. forced
us to be deaf to their cry.
The war, with all of its horrors, has done
good. 1t has turned our minds to the ''prac
teal reconstruction" of our State, and now
the great interior lines arc fairly under way
from Norfolk to Bristol and from Rich
mond, by c. 4 0. r. R.. to the Ohio. We
greet them with an honest God speed Ye
we'll" They will make us prosperous and
great and show the world that 'thcre is lie
in the old land yet"
The able superintendent, Of a Fountaine
and Whitcomb over the Chesapeake and
Ohio, their prompt arrangements with capa-
ta!ists, for its completion in three years, gives
joy to the heart of old Virginia and assures
US that the race is not efete, as the Radicals
say. Norfolk-the Harbor Of the Atlantic
Coast-will soon strike hands with the great
West, by two routes, and become, what ma
ture intended her to be. the Emporium Of the
World. The Valley r. r., comes in. extend
ing from Harper's Ferry to Salem, making a
direct line, from New York to New Orleans,
on the Gulf of Mexico; and completes that
natural combination of interests, which is
destined to concentrate the great Water aud
Railroad trade of this Continent at Norfolk
Look at the map-study the Virginia idea
of practical reconstruction" and you will
see that every line converges, naturally, to
this point-the base of all we hope, live and
breath for-the prosperity of Virginia!
Turning with disgust from politics we feel
like the weary traveller, when after days Of
toll, he reaches the summit of the Ncvadas,
and sees the Golden Land beneath him. We
have reached the "Elliott's Knob" of Vir-
ginia's reconstruction. Looking at her as
she was, as she is, and as she will be, when her
through lines are completed-her people
rich, united and happy, mere words cannot
portray our feelings. The Virginia heart
exults, rejoices and we can only say 'God
bless her God prosper her ! rod guide her
forever and forever p
In conclusion, could we but enspire oul
people with the feelings which tell us there
is a better day coming, that there is ga Di
yinity that shapes our ends, rough-hew them
as we will )" that our rights and interests are
in our own hands; that material prosperity
brings political strength, and the through
lines will bring shat. Could VIC remove the
selfish old fogyism that weighs us down
could we bring all Of our people doom to the
dull details Of the practical reconstruction
of our country roads, farms, and the mechanic
arts, as well as the great through lines; could
we teach them to educate themselves practi
ically-to mike use Of their master minds
then, we would proudly hear that grand old
motto: "Sic Semper Tyrannis !" ring out
again-then we would see the ideas Of
Virginia controlling Union of States
see her, the Mother, in the proud majesty
Of right, gathering her brood under the
wings Of the Constitution she formed pro
tecting ala terror to none, but tyrants
s..