The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1875-02-25
(For the vlrsinian.]
A Few Thoughts for the People.
STAUNroN, Va, February 24tll, 1878.

HoW AuoooAIS 10r Ln9 EoOpi5.
STAuNroS, Va. February 9th, 1875.
Nessrs. Editors
have noticed from time to time in reading
your paper, the deep interest felt by you in the
progress OF our city, and your willingness to
open the columns OF the Virginian to any COM
manication which has for its objees the pros
pefity OF our people-hence it is that l submit
the following article for the consideration OF
men who have taken the leisure to see and
weigh the events and tendencies of the times,
and with the hope that it may arrest the atten-
ton OF those who never give thought for the
morrow nor profit by past experience.
Two years ago almost every paper whose in
terest was identified with ours, spoke in glow
ing terms OF the energy and business tact Of
Our citizens. Stauuton was the growing and
prosperous city Of the Valley-what say they
now? Thanks for their charity! they are silent.
Let us first briefly examine into the cause OF
this paralytic stroke to the energies of cur peo-
plc-then rs briefly sum up the effect and sug-
gest a remedy.
1t is a well established principle of political
economy, that Where consumer and producer
only exert themselves to such an extent as to
meet the exigcncies OF life, they can not hope
to be prosperous; now it may. be asked does
such state of affairs exist here and in the inn
mediate vicinity? We reply most emphatically,
yes, and the worst is not half told in answering
in the affirmative. Who are the producers and
consumers In the general sense Of the word ?
Every class OF persons in the community are
both producers and consumers to a greater or
less extent-each dependent upon the other.
The Interests OF all are SO blended together chat
ny helping ourselves we help oltr lieighbor; and
BY iieglecting our neighbcr we neglect our
selves. To whose door must we lay this fault
OF forgetting his duty to himself and to his fell
! bowman? Lay it at the door OF every man in
our community andyou will not make a single
mistake. This lcthargy to the vital interests Of
our people has been brought about by not each
| man lending his assistance to add to his own
and the general prosperity of all, but each one
waiting for something to turn up, whereby he
may be especially benefited.
| Success and prosperity in life can more truth
| fully be compared to the frame of a ladder, as
| it were, which God places beforee very man and
gives him his choice to stay where he COM
menced or climb where he will, but he cannot
climb without there are rounds to this frame,
and he can only furnish one round. Shall he
make it to the interest OF the man above him,
and thai man to the man above him and 60 on
until it is completed for each one to furnish his
rounds Or shall be contented to sit on the mis-
cradle stick which can hold and benefit no one
| but himself and in a short time see it rot and
break. The cause then of this depression is mac
tivity on the part of every man in our commu-
nifty. The fear of each one seems to be that if
he puts his shoulderto the wheel he might ac-
cidentally do more than his share, forgetful of
the fact thatif he does do more than his share,
and continue to do SO. his prosperity will in
crease in the same ratio. What is the effect of
the inactivity Of our people? The merchants
credit columns mechanics standing idle on our
streets and the consequences incident thereto;
can speak in words palmer thaR can write.
But how is this matter to be eded? There
*, ,,1o hath h,,c;
men than Staunton-men who have made their
own lives a success and are worthy of every con-
fidence. But how are they to benefit the mass
cs? They have comfortable homes and SUR
roanded-by plenty. | will tell you. Let a
meeting be called. Che time to be agreed upon
by the editors of the various papers of this city,
who have always shown themselves to be the
peoples friend. Let that meeting be repre-
sented by every man that wants to live and see
his neighbor live, and then and there decide
what steps had best be taken which would re-
suit most favorably to the interest of all. Why
not start some manufacturing establishment to
be managed by sonic of our tried and trusted
business men? Some will say the money is
not in the State willie others will contend that
Virginia's Credits so low that foreign capital
will not enter her Border. Shame On you, my
friends, for such a thought. We have NC need
to go beyond our State, or even to the border
line, if you will contribute what you can. I.
what I canaand our ncighbor what nc can. Let
lis at least make the effort to have this meeting
and see if something can not be done. If We
fall we will feel better for having done all in
our power, and it we succeed, some good may
result from it. s@a..s
I believe the monied men and the successful
men, when they see the heart of their people
deeply interest III This movement. will come
forward through sympathy, even ii the object
Of the meeting does not meet with their appro-
baton from a business standpoint, and when we
all do get together, there will be no difficulty in
coming to tho conclusion that there is enough
wisdom, money, energy and muscle right here
in Stanton to start at least one manufacturing
establishment and thereby lay the foundation
of our future.
Did you ever notice the crowds of both old.
| middle-aged and young men who block up the
corners of our streets? have, and sad sights
they are. Some lille because they can get no
work, while others have been waiting ever since
the war and could still be found waiting fifty
years hence, for foreign capit to develop and
utilize what God in his Nero has surrounded
US with. If We succeed in this enterprise we
will not only BE- doing noble charity to those
men who are willing, by the sweat of their
brow to carr. their bread, but money properly
invested and managed by discreet bus
mess men, would pay a larger per cent. on the
the amount invested than in any other way
1t would pay directly in dividends. It would
pay indirectly in inducing other capitalists to
come here and thereby put more money in cir
culation: All classes OF people would be better
paid, and could better afford to improve their
properties and increase their facilities for doing
business. People from q distance seclag this
energy and thrift would come to liye among us
and would either rent or buy some of the many
vacant houses here, or purchase land and build.
The corporate limits Of our city would be ex-
tended, thereby enhancing the value Of all prop
erty. The heads and the hands of both rich
and poor would be fully occupied, and instead
of seeing the misery Of those who are unfortu-
nate, we would see glad faces. The rich man
would be happier because he would know that
in addition to the honest. accumulation OF his
wealth, his money had sent sunlight where
only shadows were iii the poor mans home.
Messrs. Editors, I ASK this people in the name
Of self interest, self preservation and mercy, in
the name Of God, is it possible that the scales
will never fall from our eyes. Shall the blind
continue to lead the blind. Shall money rust in
the miser's pocket. Shall we make beggars out
Of honest men who NOW only beg for work, and
when refused, feel With the poet, when he
said, --zz z.Ezs.s1
'.Oh, God thatsb should be 50 dear,
And flesh and bloedso cheap ~
The President has ttendered the position OF
minister to Austria TO Judge G.. S. Orth, Of In
diana. Mr.: Jay is to be recalled.