Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1874-04-23
SHENANDOAH HERALD AID vAILEY ADvERT

venting a full development Of resources
that would be able to bear a ten fold
tax over Virginia cities whose main
source of wealth is derived from com
mission on trade forced to their mar
kets.
We ask these improvements of a
right, and protest against injustice
done us to rectify the mistake Of the
location of these cities; and it is as
he nous to violate the natural. laws of
trade as to legislate Discriminatory
against sectional interest.
We of the middle Valley are told
to hold our peace, because we have a
branch road for an outlet, and have no
interest in its further extension tor the
benefit of the South and Southwest.
Are we to be dishonorably duped into
the relation Of particsps criminis
against another portion of the State,
by refusing to rebuke the selfish spirit
Of the East? What was the high
toned and honorable action of Virginia
towards her sister Southern states in
the beginning of the war between the
States? Were their interests identi cal?
By no means but the principle of ag-
gression is the same in all cases, wheth
err it chooses to interfere with or res,
trict local institutions, or prevent the
development of 8 ectlonal resources
But we deny that we have no inter-
ests in the extension of the Valley
road We have in the Valley as fine
facilities for manufacturing purposes as
any section on the continent, and the
more facilities for freight and travel
are given rs the greater will be the
development of those interests. 1t will
also proportionately open up the Sec
ton to immigration and agricultural
advancement. 1t has also been found
true in the history of public improve
ments that they radiate interests that
are rot usually estimated in the
general summing of advantages, and it
matters but little to the general good
whether the additional investment is by
accident or design.
We do rot seek or desire dismem-
berment of tile State, as has been
charged we only ask a fair and just
protection to all the rights in the State.
Our pride is still great, and cur love
still yearns towards the Old Common
wealth-but our responsibility in the
development of these interests fol-
those who inherit from us, cla,nol
for justice unless our rights are res
pected the history Of oppression will
repeat itself. Indeed, the people are
leading in this question Of separation,
whilst the press have taken an anomi
lous position i'll cautioning moderation.
Can peaceable separation or secession
be accomplished? Examine your
census report and compare unit vote
Of the Valley added to the disaffected
element Of the east and you will have
in Arabic characters the answer to the
question. But we would still caution
more generous and liberal disposition
upon the part Of the east in order to
prevent this threatened and most Ger
tain alternative. The desire of annex
alton of the Valley to West Virginia is
daily growing stronger, and in all se-
robustness we would inform the press OF
Richmond, that the feeling is not con-
fined to a few malcontents.
We venture the prophecy that the
question of the extension of the Valley
road will be again brought before the
Legislature, and its action will deter
mine either for or against separation.