Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1878-03-29
A Visit to SDOtsyIvania.

Correspondents, Of the Alexandra Gaz,tte.
FREDERICksBURG, March 2S.-Ask man
10 Stafford if that is not the poorest county 10
the State, and be will tell you to 60 to Spotsyi-
vania. We had never visited tho county last
named until q few days since, and therefore
looked around with curious eye. 1t is thnIy
settled. A ride from the Wilderness country
to the Louisa line gives one ample opportunity
to enjoy that
''Society where none ntrude.
Human beings are scarce. Lord Byron should
have lived in Spotsylvania. Everything Is
suggestive of undeveloped possibilities, both as
regards population aud cultivation The only
traces of civilization are the road. the pieces
of fence, and the old field pines. But for them
we would expect to meet the red skins. Spot.
sylvania miles are very uncertain units OF
measurement. There is piece Of india rub
Der at the end Of each of them. How the poorer
! classes live is a mystery. An intelligent resi-
dent remarked they we're the smartest poor
people that could be found anywhere. They
had need be so. A more intimate acquaintance
| with the county, however, reveals the tact that
the better classes live away from the roads,
and stretch of woodland will not infrcquentIy
conceal large plantation and commodlous
dwelling, occupied by people, genial, Intelligent
aud refined. Will the lands take improvement?
Let experience answer. There ara men in the
county who By industry and brains have brought
no some of the poorest of them to profitable
state of cultivation. Sinoo the war German
settled few miles from Fredericksburg.
what does the old fool come here to starve TO
death for?' was the enquiry. But be has
| lived, supported his family, improved bis farm
and is we'll to do. MIR. Isaac Carson, ono OF
the Wealthiest and most successful farmers 10
the county, considers that Spottsylvanla offers
a much better chance for poor man than
Loudouu or upper Fauquer, where 1t Is much
harder to get start The traces of war arc
rapidly disappearing. Pieces of shell may yet
be seen embedded 10 the walls of Chancellors-
vile. The breastworks down the road, whore
many brave fellow lost his life, are nearly o.
liberated. 1t is hard to real z, that the land
scapo now so calm and peaceful was dlshgured
but few years since by the devastating Tide OF
war. At every cross roads groggery may DE
found. But Good Templarism is spreading
from Stafford, Six months ago there were not
a dozen Good Tempars 10 Fredericksburg aud
the Two adjoining counties. Now they may be
numbered by hundreds. The largest audience
that has ever been seen 10 the spacious court
house of that town assembled recently and paid
close attention to the lecturer of the order tol
this section of the State while he presented the
testimony of the three witnesses, Experience,
Science and Scripture, in the case Of the People
ys. Drinking Customs. Over twenty person:
sjgniied their intention to jon the order. The
Judge of the Hustiogs Court, two Of the news
paper editors. and many other persons ct Iote!
iigence and worth are members. This organi
zation. while it values enthusiasm, does not
advocate zeal without discretion. Its educating
influence is lis most valuable feature. a. V.