The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1869-09-20
Communicated. ]
TEE RAILROAD QUESTION.

EpiToKs DEhUCRAI Ill tilc ychT lCfO
or 1877, the Editor Of the Pttsburg Ga
setle was on visit to l,ewisburg, Virginia
and wrote for his paper description d
his trip, which he made oil horseback, by
the way Of Morgan,own, Clarksbarg,
Weston, Sutton and Gaulcy Bridge. But
few railroads wercin operation, but were
coming into use very rapidly at that time,
and hc conceived the idea Of a grand
tloroug!ifre from Pitsburg to New Or
leans, through the valley Of tho Nlonoga-
hcla river. regret that ! have not his
vicws before me, for my recollection is
that they would apply well TO the present.
timc. lyon will take a map and trace
line from Pittsburg to New Orleans you
will find q most excellent and practical
route up this valley, taking in its course
Morgantown, Fair,nont, Shinston, Clarks-
burg, Weston, Sutton, Sammersyille, and
out to Lcwisburg. and from that point to
point on the Virginia & Tennessee Rail
road, and tap that road, or run IN inde-
pendent Que to New Orleans a road Of
desirable grade can be made from Pitts
burg to Sutton without the. expense Of a
single tunncl-from that point IL few tun-
nels would have TO be made. The ad-
vantuges of railroad from Pittsburg to
New Orleans would be of incalculablc III
terc.t to the country through whicl, it
would pass, as well as to The company
undertaking the enterprise. 1t is mat.
ter Of wonder and surprise that capital
lists, xho are always ar-seeing men, have
no. had their attention ATTRACTED and
drawn to this u1qucstionablc source Of
wealth. There is, perhaps, no country
that can boast Of a finer variety Of timber,
and that Of superior quality, thar West
Virginia. The oak is ofsaperior quality
and well adapted fer the use Of ship build
ing, and ip quantities sufficient to supply
tho demand for ages to come.
The mineral wealth covered and hid
from the world, cannot 10 estimated. nor
will II be known until grand thorough.
fare, such us is contemplated in this i'm
perfect communication !, put into active
operation to develop the hidden treasures
these deposits Of wealth which man is
so eagerly hunting for Build railroad
through the length and breadth Of this
richly furnished country, and the immense
forests Of timber and beds Of minerals will
be gathered up and removed to market
paying nice profit to the laborcr. After
tic removal of these immense forests,
grass will .p.iug up, and grain will be
seeded, and the hills and valleys will be
covered with everlasting green, and COL
den crops. Then such source Of wealth
to the husbandman would follow in llor-
ses, cattle, sheep aud hogs that would
make West Virginia "blosso,n rs the
rose" Morality aud religion would in
crease and strengthen and grow. aud not
Le MS dead grass. West Virginia, now
fifty years, good long years behind the
age, would be born again crawl walk
grow into vigorous, living, manhood.
She would no longer be content to walow
in the liire and roll in the dust. Her
destiny would be brought into the notice
of nations unborn, and the world 10 which
she Is now unknown, will honor aud res
prct her. ".Akakel Awake! Oh 80
hills, and put On your strength"
Now lot me say word 10 those persons
who are living on aud near this cOntem.
pIa'el route for n grand thoropshiart
North aud South. II is hardly necessary
10 suggest M argument to those persons
who arc blinded with self interest, for lie