The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1877-05-10
The Narrow Guage.

essential to the well being OF the Common
wealth at this time.
The Marrow Guage.
On the Sd inst. the people OF Fredericks-
burg mad demonstration expressive OF their
qualification at the completion of the Marrow
Guage Railroad from Orange c. H. to that
place by the Royal Land Company. Repre-
sentatives were there from several OF the
Piedmont counties, and also from Rocking
ham and Augusta, Maj. Ed. Mcmahon speak
ing for the latter county. Quite an ami
mated and interesting occasion it was,
speeches, feasting, social intercourse and a
feeling OF general qualification marking the
event.
As we have before stated. it is the purpose
of the Royal Land Company to speedily
construct this line from Orange C. II. to
Harrisonburg, and thus open to the people
Of the Valley another desirable market for
their produce. The quiet way in which this
company have gone about finishing the work
that the assemblage in Fredericksburg COM
memorated, is evidence that they are in ear
nest. Away from the immediate line OF the
Improvement it was scarcely known that
forty miles OF Narrow Guage Railroads.&c.
pioneer enterprise of the kind in Virginia
were In process Of construction, and when
the announcement was made that the COM
pletion Of the work was to be celebrated,
everybody was inquiring what it meant.
The first announcement we have Of its opera
lions is that it is paying more than expenses,
and that its first months operations demon
strate that it is an assured success.
In the light OF these facts, we can reason
ably have faith in the assurance given that
the road is to be continued to Harrisonburg
as speedily as men and means can do it, and
thence to the coal and iron fields Of the COM
pany in Augusta and Rockingham
object point Of the western division-thus
bringing these minerals in direct connection
with deep water at Aqua Creek.
We may not precisely like the idea of car
ryins the raw material from Virginia to feed
Industries in other States. We would prefer
that the furnaces and other enterprises
should be established here, and that our
section shoHld reap the benefits OF the Itch
bestowments of nature. These will, no
doubt, come after while. In the mean
time, the operations now being conducted
entirely by foreign capital, are giving activity
to dead wealth-opening up trade to isolated
territory, and inspiring spirit and hope into
people who have heretofore been apparently
contented with the primitive surroundings
and methods of egress enjoyed by their
fathers.
We will net say that they are on the verge
Of higher civilization. There are SO many
meanings to the term ''civilization :" that
we are not sure whether it means 6 improve
ment" or not. When the old bell teams
crossed the mountain for the Valley, seeking
| market at Fredericksburg, generation
ago, we are sure the people were as honest
| as they are now. The modern Interpretation
| of "civilization is not, however, a higher
| morality. It is discovery and invention.
Electricity and steam are regarded as evil
dences OF eivilizati0n--of the development
and achievements of the mind. But with
them have come corporations, and with
corporations corruption, and with corrup-
ton bribery, infusing its virus through all
the ramifcations Of the body polite and
breeding vices Of every hue. The old wag-
oner, as he logged along with his sleek, fat
team, to the music OF the bells and the birds
and his own uncultivated voice, as he hummed
some familiar home song to remind him OF
the loving wife and CHEEKY children left
behind, may not have understood what we
call IS civilization - but he certainly did not
ask the assistance Of Hobbies and rings, to
| aid him in his work. He did not move SO
fast as railroad, nor did he require subsi-
dies and land grants, and all the other de-
vious devices Of modern civilization, to aid
him In turning his honest toll into an honest
reward. His "civilization !" was the golden
rule-to do unto others as he would have
| others do unto him. He dealt on the square
was content with legitimate returns for
| his labor, and enjoyed the hard-earned pro-
fits with his frugal family, under his own
vine and fig tree.
But we have scivilized y out of this way
Of doing business. Where the old road
wagons moved to the merry tinkle Of the
bells, soon the iron horse will snort and puff
along-the mountains will echo the steam
whistle, and the contrast be drawn between
the fertilization of now and then.
Whether the people will be happier we will
not undertake to say. 1t is destiny. Ma
terial development and progress will give
| new sources Of wealth-the God Of the pres
ent civilization new enterprises will
spring into existence-space will be annihi-
lated, and the physical and mental energies
of the people stimulated to fresh endeavors
and holder adventures. .....as
| The Narrow Guage completed to Harris
onburg, and thence to the coal and iron
fields in the spurs of the North Mountain,
will be an important event to the people Of
the Valley, whether it makes them better
| or not.
The impression is gaining, strength every
day that Rev. Jno. e. Massey will be an in