Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1870-02-04
[For the indicator.
The Effect OfEseyOIuti1nS.
THE sOUTH-vIRGINIA.

Mr. Editor THAT all Revolutions have
been more or less the cause which has brought
about, either sooner Or later, developments
that have given an impulse to letters, science
or to manufacturing enterprises, is a fact
that is incontrovertible.
During the last century, science and liter
ature in England were fast losing ell traces
Of originality, it had fallen into a beaten
track, the unrufled current of which was
only to be disturbed by reproduction of the
same in a more elegant shape, adorned
with moro ofthe graces Of polished style."-
The American Revolution was the first cause
that broke the chains that had fl ttered the
public mind. s'Party spirit and zeal kin
died into the keen encounters of rival states
men, bidding defiance to all arbitrary rules"
The leaders Of parliamentary eloauence de-
veloped their sentiments into all the force of
originality, and ''spoke as their peculiar
habits cf thought prompted them, not as the
rhetoric of schools taught"
There was nothing in Europe however
sacred, Ior any thing however long estab-
lished, land sanctioned by long experience"
but wh;t was shook to its very centre by
the French Revolution. The consequence
of it on literature, as is generally the case,
proved decidedly beneficial, and drought
forth vigorous thought instead of polished
expressions
Such having been the case in the past, as
shown by historical record, is it a stretch of
fancy at the expense Of facts to suppose that
the Revolution that for four years desolated
our country with fire and sword, Frustrating
its agricultural interest, and shaking its most
sacred institutions to their very centre, will
be without bringing to life and development
a new energy of the people of the Southern
States.
The South since ihe elosc ef the war, in
1885, has occupied to the beholder a very
peculiar, and at anne time interesting posi-
ion.-peculiar, because of the unsettled
condition Of its political affairs,
ting, because of the opportunity and fac;li-
ties it presented to Northern capitalists for
profitable Investment; which They were on
ly deferred from enterIag iato BECAUSE of the
wild fury of extremists. But noy as the
current Of wild fury has been quoted by the
wisdom and counsel Of cooler heads among
US; may not a grand impetus be given to
enterprises Of a profitable nature, thereby
enabling us to exalt ourselves above the
political misfortunes of our country. These
things are not improbable. Virginia alone
has both the natural f~acilities aud adyapta-
ges Of developing herself into one of the
greatest manufacturing Rtates in the Union,
which if taken advantage of will not only
improve her condition, but entitle her to
rank among the first in prosperity and intel
She now has unbounded influence
in forming the Virginia Of the future, and in
moulding the character she is to assume in
relation to her sister States. and she should
not allow the political embarrassment Of the
times, to cramp the energies of a people, who
of duty and right should and ought to be
known as second to none in the Union.
We should therefore pereeiye that she has
u high and important trust to fulfil, and at
the same time feel and know how it best
could be performed, so as not only to pro-
mote the welfare Of mankind, but advance
the honor Of God.
TEKADE.