Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1869-04-27

1867, is so complete that it is scarcely necessary
to repeat what has there been so we'll stated.
It is commended to the people of Baltimore as
worthy of their earnest consideration. This re-
port is very full In regard to the through con-
nection which this link establishes with the en-
tire Southwestern portions Of the country. 1t
exhibits the advantages that Baltimore would
derive by forming direct connection with this
vast region, the wealth of which has been. as
yet, but partially developed
More than forty years ago Baltimore offered
a bonus to Virginia for the mere right of way
through her domain. Now the right of way is
not only freely granted, but, In addition, the
counties along the line have taxed themselves
nearly million of dollars to aid in the con-
struction of the road, thus securing strong per-
manent local interest In its behalf These local
subscriptions possess significance beyond the
mere pecuniary aid afforded The home inter-
est thus established will protect the company
from unreasonable damages along the line and
from hostile or prejudieal legislation on the
part of the State
1t may be proper to urge few reasons bear
ing upon the importance of the Valley Railroad
as link in the general railroad system of the
country, in addition to those that have been so
well stated by Colonel Randolph in his report.
This road connecting Harrisonburg with Salem
on the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad, will
complete the last link in the great chain from
the northern cities to the South and Southwest.
From Salem to New York, Philadelphia and
Baltimore, by the Valley route, the distance is
as short as by any route that is or can be con-
structed, and when this line is completed it will
afford direct and favorite means of communca-
ton between the above named cities and Mem
phis, Vicksburg, New Orleans and other points
in the southwest
This link, when filed, will establish con-
tinuous route from the Southwest to the North
east, which will ntersect nearly all the main
lines running from the West to the East Start
ing from Salem, On the line from Memphis to
Norfolk, it will cross the James River and Ka-
nawha canal at Buchanan and Lexington, the
Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad at Staunton,
(l36 miles west of Richmond the Manassas
Gan and Loudoun and Hampshire Railroad at
Strasburg and Winchester (about 80 miles from
Washington and hereby would constitute
Baltimore a formidable competitor for the trade
and travel of the great country which these
West and East routes command
The route will afford the shortest line of travel
from the large and populous portions of the
North to much of the best part of the South.
Such an Intermediary line of road cannot fail to
yield paying stock.
So far, the Valley Railroad has been regard
ed simply as through line. Our purpose,
however Is rather To Call TIE attention Daltl-
more to the less known but scarcely less i'm
portant local trade from the counties through
which the road will pass. 1t runs through five
of the most fertile counties in the Valley of
Virginia. valley which, in climate soil, min
erals and well-distributed and continuous water
power, is believed not to be eXcelled in native
wealth by any region OF equal extent on this
continent The counties referred to are Rock
ingham, Augusta, Rockbridge, Botetourt and
Roanoke. -Four of these counties lomitting the
county of Rockingham, only half of which the
| road crosses) had q population of 81 SOL, &C
cording to the census Of 1860, which is now
somewhat increased. They contain an area of
| Improved farms Of 49S. l56 acres, and uninaprov-
ed, 500, $50 acres. This does not include the
wild or mountain lands. Their gross products
in 1860, estimated at the present price, would
be worth SIS, 200, 557, whilst at present the pur-
ohases from outside markets are estimated to
amount to So 10000. This last estimate is
probably greatly short Of the real sum, since
Individual or mere personal purchases are not
included.
The Valley Railroad would bring the city of
Baltimore directly within the circle of competi-
| ton, as seller Of these imports and as pur-
chaser Of the surplus
An inexhaustable supply Of iron ore lies
| buried along the western base of the Blue Ridge
/
| parallel to the road from one terminus to the
other, whilst a continuous forest Of original
growth covers the entire mountains Charcoal
iron Of the best quality could be manufactured
| from these materials almost without limit
| Manganese marble and other minerals exist in
| large quantities, and are only undeveloped from
want Of an outlet to market. The numerous
mineral springs, the public institutions ofStaun-
ton, the literary institutions Of Lexington and
| Salem, the famous Natural Bridge of Rock
bridge, and Weyer's cave of Augusta, the
| healthfulness Of the climate and the pictu-
resqueness CT the scenery, must always command
large pleasure-seeking travel when the coun-
try is rendered accessible by railroad
| Such is the brief and unexaggerated statement
of some of the characteristics of the counties
which the Valley Railroad would traverse
| With the tide of emigration now tending to-
wards Virginia, should this region SO favored
| by nature. be brought in direct connection with
such a market as Baltimore, it is almost impos-
sible to over-estimate the wealth q few years
would produce
Whether the Valley Railroad be considered
as link in the great chain uniting the South
west with the Northeast, or mere local line
sustained by the country which it traverses, the
stock-shosld BALTIMORE subscribe and thus
give it assistance and patronage will, without
doubt, in short time, equal in value the stock
| OF the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, whilst at
the same time the trade and profit that would
be brought to the city of Baltimore, must great
| ly increase its wealth and prosperity.
r. f. LEE, Chairman.
Upon concluding the reading, the audience
again warmly applauded, and on the General re-
Stunning his seat, cheer after cheer rent the air,
and hats and hankerchiefs were waved from all
portions OF the hall. 1t was scene of genuine
enthusiasm not often witnessed. Mayor Banks
then introduced Judge Shetfey, of this place.
SPEECH OF JUDGE sHEFFEY.
Judge Shelley spoke in substance as follows
Had been aware last evening of the character
| ct the audience before whom should appear to-
day, | certainly should have declined SO difficult
duty had imagined that was to address a
set of very respectable, but dry, practical bust
ness gentlemen, who had the fate of a mere bus
mess operation in their hands, and | must con-
fess that, despite the presence Of such an array
of sweet faces, snail be able 10 DO hHt little
more. stand here the unworthy representa-
tive of large delegation from the great Valley
OF Virginia, who have come here for the pur-
pose OF setting in plain array before you the
project OF great improvement which we know
will be of great benefit to ourselves, and which
we think will DO Of almost equal Importance to
you. In the dim past there have been some an
tagonlsms between Virginia and Maryland;
some apparent jealousies when they were men,
bers OF the old immortal thirteen. But the des
olatlons OF war which have swept ayef us have
aroused throughout the length and breadth of
this noble State so abundant flow of kindly
charity that all these have become obiterated.
Applause.