The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1878-07-13
West virsinia's Political
Horoscope.
Tiac kcy of Her Granarics
and POIc-Star of Her
Greatness, WcaltI. and
Power.
ADDRESS OF WILLIAM E. ARNOLD. ESQ.,
At FAcKsqSvtLLE. JULY 4, 1878.
FNolc.C .Cli=ens:

In appearing here to address you, al.
low mo to assure you, that ucycr before
have felt moro embarrassment and .
greater distrust Of my powers to do jus.
,ico to my subject aud to myself, than at
this timu Hero is my old home, where
[ lived in youth, in boyhood aud up to
manhood ; and hero, too,arc tie scenes,
the an=ictics, tho efforts and aspirations
of my younger days. Some Of tue per-
sons here now arc tboso whom havc
long known, aud been associated by
ties of interest and warmcss friendship
but The srldcss Of all in looking oyer
this assembly Of citizens. there arc
mapy missing oncs-oucc familiar faces,
who sleep to-day with their fathers in
the bosom Of their God-from whose
resting Elaccs mono return. The
Fourth Of JulJ is noted day in the
history Of our country. The principles
incorporated iina in the Declaration Of Fnde'
pcndcnca for their uuiqucness aud
maintenance Of the rights Of man, will
never be forgotten, or their influence
lost CD the present and future genera
tions but memorable and fruitful a s is
this priceless Legacy, Purpose for the
present to fvrcgo the temptation and ad-
dress you on a subject which comes d.
recsly home, and meets you face TO face.
wherever you go.
This State needs development, and
without is, sLc can meyer take that
place in the National galaxy. to which
sho is naturally entitled.
Ono of tho founders Of our civil polit.
cal system Of government, has left to
pOs,critya a declaration or axiom which
in my judgment ir worthy Of cousidcra.
ton ut this time. and which if carried
into practical effect, would start our
yosng State on C. new career Of prosper.
ity, and be in her history thu ey. Of
public improvements, and pola.stsr of
her future greatness, wealth aud power.
That declaration reads, LIVERY judic.
iOus Improvement in tho establishment
Ofroads aud bridges. increases tho value
Of land, euhauces tue price Of commod-
i,irs aud apgmcnls tho public wealth"
Tho roads Of d country, says . great
author, arc accurate aud cortaip tests Of
the degree Of its civilization.
Their construction is one of tito first
indica,ionu Of the emergensc Of pco-
plo from tho savage state; and their
improvement. keeps pace with the
advance Of the uasiOu in numbers,
wealth. industry apd s.ieace-oi oil
which it 10 at once Al clement and on
evidence. lloads are tho veins and
arteries Of tho body polite; for
through tho Iii low tho agricultural
productions and the commercial sup
plies which aro tho blood Of the
State. Upon tho sutlicicncy Of their
number, tho propricty Of their direc.
tons, and tho unObstructedness Of their
courses. depend tho case aul ragidity
With which tho more distant portions
Of the system receive the uutritnont
which is essential to their lie, health
and vigcr, aud without o copioas
supply Of which tho cxtrcmities must
anguish and die. Who, that has
gone ever the Baltimore 4 Ohio rail-
road in this State. docs not gee tho ad-
vantage which it has been to tue coun-
ties through which it passes. and to
tho people on its line. Capital and
labor, industry aad enterprise, united
their efforts, cut through tho Allegha-
uies. knocked Of tho peaks and crags,
hid down the track for tho iron horse
aud started him with his rider aud ton.
mage on the course. BY its giant works,
its progress, its tratc, itq copmuroo. its
empluymcut Of capital and labor. and its
its market for the products Of industry,
new clements Of modern civilization
wealth and power havc beon developed.
People from distant States mo7s along
its liuc. seeking places fcs qet!!cm9g!cnt- n!
for business and employment. Cities
and towns spring up, and evidences
Of wealth and prosperity arc every.
whore 10 10 Coon Sirs, thcso aro The
results Of foreign capital, expended 10
nur Stnto hv lihcra1 nnl 'far.asoin1