Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1872-12-03

TIC SaiIAs Tue camp IUlIUWtfS duU oOA'
of the Federal Armies. have been allowed to
prey upon her State Governments and people,
not unchecked but rather encouraged by the
powers that be, and State debts increased $780,
OOO, 900 in ten years with nothing left to show
for the money expended. The single product
of tooacco alone, in Virginia, pays into the U
s. Treasury Sc. 10000 We have been ire
constructed" until the very name sickens US,
and lastly, the late elections went against us.
Still, in spite of all, there is much to live
| for; to work for and to hope for We are bet
ter off, materially, than ever; our people have
learned economy in the hard but salutary
schools of patience and privation; the trades,
agricultural labor and the mechanical arts, are
justly more honored; new industries have
sprung up; vast mineral resources have been
developed and are still being developed; our
great through lines of railroads are rapidly APP
preaching completion; the negro is becoming
better citizen, and, in time, will give no trou-
BILE; immigration is setting in slowly, it is true,
but surely, and that, too, of the best class !;
education was never SO much attended to, nor
the facilities for acquiring it SO free and open
| to all classes, from the common schools to the
first Universities on this Continent, and all over
the vast field of Southern industry and mate
rial prosperity there still shines the genial sun
of our cline, and on our rich lands still pour
refreshing showers; the fields still yield US
bounteously of Gods good gifts; the ring of
the anvil and the whir of the engine is still
heard upon all sides and churches rise upon
every hill and every valley, all showing us that
BE who notes even the fall of the sparrow, is
not unmindful Of this sorely tried and stricken
people, but bids them hope, work and labor,
for he doeth good to those who love him and
manfully work out the great future be places
SO readily within their grasp.
But we do not rely upon our fancy or OBJ
servation alone for this cheering view of our
future Facts and figures bear US out and sho
progress truly wonderful, and, but that fig
ures never lie, hard to believe, even by the
most sangulne.
In 1860, the South exported $207, 457 1862,
surplus and in 1870 her exports had increased
to $208, sos, $50, an Increase of over million
for FIVE years after the war, to that of five
years before it. Her appropriations in 1860 we're
$40 276. 757 and in 1870 $40, BIC, All showing
the increase In importations not In proper
ton to our increase in exports, which is deci-
dedy in our favor and the cotton crop Of this
year is 3450.000 bales, an increaae Of Is per
cent over last year.
These figures are oficlal-tr from the United
States Census-ard when the world once
knows that this genial and productive land lies
open and ever welcome to its toiling millions,
such an immigration will pour in upon US, as
will far outstrip even the crowds now filing up
the cold and inhospitable Northwest. Our
great through lines Of railroads will soon be
completed and ere long. in cur own day. the
silver lining to the cloud Of cur present stua-
ton will be plain to all. The figures given
the glance at the close Of the war our present
com paratively prosperous condition, as a
mass; times healing influences on the
bitterness of our rulers, and last, but
not least, cur steady and marvellous recupe-
ration and advancement to that material pros
perit7, which alone can bring political strength,
show US that there is no good cause for despon-
dency, but much fer hope and cheering out
look en- the happy day, that is breaking upon
future for our loved Sunny South, more glori-
ous more prosperous and happier, than even
the greatest statesman and patriot ever dared
to picture in the grandest fight of his oratory-
Patience, then, and perseverance-Va. and the
South will yet win in this new race for intel
lcctual and material supremacy, if her sons
prove themselves not unworthy descendants of
those whose bones whiten every battle field for
liberty On this Continent; who fell under the
standards Of Washington and Lee and Jackson,
and whose words, full Of the fiery oloquence OF
truth and right. we're ever heard upon the side
of justice, true liberty, and the rights and ad-
vancemens of the people.
Let US then grid our loins and continue the
struggle, with hope refreshed by inspiration
drawn from glorious past and al earnest pres
ent, end while moving forward in the line of
progress and Christian civilization, keep ever
before US the honored examples Of the fathers,
and brightly polished the unstained armor left
to cur keeping. live be but true 10 ourselves
and walk through the present with no wavering
and uncertain tread our destiny and the con-
troll Of this Continents future is in our hands
and the hands Of those who come after US. We
see it clearly we feel it and we believe it, with
a faith which will conquer all things, when our
whole people act move and work for the living
present, and, while retaining its pleasant and
and profitable recollections, leave the dead
past to bury it's dead and its past sorrow, for
| tt-ETha vana~e hla Poet ia roet
otis dark, and shines not in the way,
| 'HTwas good, no doubt-'tis gone at last,
| There dawns another day.
|
| 1.-THE Present needs US. Every age
"Bequeathes the next for heritage,
mo lazy luxury or delight.
But Now, the child and sire Of Time,
| Demands the deeds Of earnest men
| ITO make it better than the past
And stretch the circle Of it's ken.
s'So let US live
'iThat from the Past we may receive
Light for the Now-from Now IL Joy
THAT Fate nor Time shall e'er DESTROY"
| The SYNOD OF VIRGINIA-This body held
its first meeting at New Providence, Rock
bridge CO., Ocs 23d, 1888. The Rev. Jchn