The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-07-30

Tur VIRGINIA SrRINGS-WHAT MUST BE
DoSE,-But there is yet to be brought into
active vitality n source Of wealth in V1r-
c;nia esnecially, which is of character
necnl;ar to itself, and the advantages. OF
which are unequalled in any other region
in the civilized world. There are the mine
raj waters of the Blue Ridge and ailegnany
mountains. In one small distr,c' III VIZ
rinia. within radius probably OF NIFTY
miles from central point, there are al
present at least dozen mineral springs,
already frequcnted and known Tor the
valuable medicinal qualities of their wa
tiers. There are the Rockbridge Aium' the
Rockbridge Baths, the Bath Alum. the
Warm. the Healing, the Hot, the Grecnbrief
White SULPHUR, the Red Sweet, the Sweet
the Salt, and others Of less notoriety, While
there are probably as many more now un'
noticed.
All of these springs are now easily ac'
cessiblc by the Covngton and ONO rail-
road and connecting stage lines. When
This road is open through to the west, ano
made 70 connect with the roads IN ONO, II
will omen to the people of the western States
a magnificent mountain region, neauliiu'
seats for summer resort and lnVigorA1lhS
waters. which will attract in crowds those
who now seek n holiday recreation at Sara
tora. or Mt the New York lakes, or at New
mort Part of the surplus wealth of OHIO,
and Indiana. and Illinois, and Kentucky,
will he spent among the hills of Virginia,
which will be enriched by the lavish ex-
penditure of citizens of other States.
But before all this happens there must be
crnat changes. The completion of the Co
y;nrton and Ohio road is not going to accom-
nlish everything by itself. 1t must be aided
and assisted, and the untold wealth OF this
medicinal mineral region must be developed
by enterprise and capital. Roads must be
built and houses must be erected. lnduce-
mcnts must be offered to visitors and 1aclll-
t;es must be afforded them for communlca-
ton. 1t is not enough for people to cat ana
to drink, to sleep, and to dance. one wants
occasionally to drive or 10 walk, ana 10
change from one dwelling to another.
The White Sulphur is undoubtedly the
great centre of this region. 1t ls destined
one day to rival the Saratoga OF New YORK,
and even the Baden Baden of Germany.
It will have its streets lined with shops, its
walks through the mountains, its drives
along the hillsidcs and valley, its hotels on
the hill for those who love quiet, and lis
taverns for those whose fortunes demand a
more modest expenditure. But above all
there must be q system Of excellent roads
connecting all these different Springs, and
some mode of inland communication by
which people can 60 from one to the other
with reasonable comfort and speed. There
is no telling how much this would add to
the attractions of the region, and how 1t
would tend not only to increase the number
of visitors, but also to induce them to
lengthcn their stay, and thus add much to
the revenue derived from this source.
In abiding to the Springs, we have only
spoken of one element of wealth. The iron
and coal of Virginia, to which we have
already more than once referred, is even
more important .--Bnltimor Gazette, 18th.