Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1879-02-22
S8 SHEPHERDSTOWN JEFFERSON COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA. oAIU
COMMUNICATED.

MIR. Edltor-Graduaily, tnouSn SLOW
Y, Shepherdstown is raising its head
above the towering cliffs of the beauti-
full Potomac, and asks for recognition
among the towns of note. From the
earliest dawn of its existence, excepting
the Rumsey period, it has been rather
taking a stand in .he background in
the march of improvement, but now it
is stepping steadily to the front in bold
relief. BY an energetic perseverance
in the course it has now commenced, 1t
is sure TO become railroad and COM
mercial centre. If it went "crazy" once
in not allowing railroad to come even
within one half mile OF its limits, let it
now get ''crazy" tuic. in procuring all
the railroads and railroad connections it
can legitimately obtain.
AS an old "Sbepherdstonian," felt
cheered by the announcement in your
last paper that it has been definitely de-
termined by the S. V. r. r. Company
to connect with the G. V. r. r. at Bed
ington. This, according to my humble
view, is step in the right direction:
You thus at once hold Baltimore and
Philadelphia at your disposal rs rivals
in the commercial business, and as out
let's of agricultural products. For some
years the Potomac was the line OF de-
marcation between the North and the
South OF these United States. You have
it now in your power TO obliterate this
line, 80 that there shall not be known
North or South, an East or West, but
only a common brotherhood of the ma
ton OF these United States. For that
end 90 to work now and shake hands,
with an iron railroad grip, across the
bloody cnasm of the Potomac. A rail
road from Shephcrds,own 10 Philadel-
phia, New York, Boston, DC, will go
far in healing the wounds that were
caused by "the late unpleasantness."
The North Is ripe 10 say to the South:
"There is eternal friendship between me
and thee" Take, for instance, the
hearty response of the entire North 10
the calls of suffering and distress in the
yellow fever stricken districts Of the
South during the summer Of 1878.
Even my own county Lancaster, Pa.),
staunch republican Us it 10 and has been,
was not behind any in manifesting its
generosity TO those suffering and afflict'
ed people.
Strike, therefore, whilst the iron is
hot, and neither you, nor your commu-
nifty or State, will ever regret having
lent helping hand to the business of
cementing the North and South in the
bonds of commercial intercourse. Hav-
ing secured your railroad to Bedington,
then strike for one at Smi,hsburg, Md,
aud you will have an opposition road to
the Baltimore g. Ohio. Then let the
people of Martinsburg, and Berkeley
county generally, 60 to work on rail
road from Martinsburg to Cha:lestown.
Having accomplished all this, then take
down your map, look at the various
lines OF railroads concentrating in your
town, and glory in your spunk as well
as in your prosperity. North, South,
East and West combine to make almost
a bee-line of railroads to Shepherds
town! Then you can offer, with good
grace and in good faith, sites to enter
prising capitalists for locating the man
utacturing establishments which you
have been advocating in the Register
for some time. :.Perseyerentia omnia
vincit.
1t makes me glad, when behold
from my study window the "Mail Train
on the =. II. r. with a 6. V. Il. II.
passenger coach attached, 10 think that
shortly there will also be one with the
bold initials as. V. II. r."
This brings me into close connection,
if not, so to speak, into close proximity,
with the home of my younger years.
Going via Bedington by the S. V. r.
H., can leave here at 1907 p. NJ, and
be in Shepherdstown by j. NJ. That's
the way the world moves, and that's the
way the citizens of Shepherdstown, JEFF
ferson and Berkeley ought 10 keep the
railroad ball rolling. Nothing improves
town more in commerce, finance and
education than the making it railroad
centre, and nothing improves country
more in agriculture, valuation Of land,
aud general prosperity, than the build.
ing of railroads, even through its very
heart. Railroads, properly managed and
fairly conducted under the just laws OF
a commonwealth, are the life of ma
ton, and hence they are also IN pro-
rortionate degree the lite of town.
Towns that have no railroad are in COM
parative obscurity upon the maps of
countries.
Work away then, steadily, earnestly,
fearlessly, in the good cause Of connect
ing Shepherdstown with all possible
railroad lines, and the people of your
town and country will at one day rise
up and call you "blessed." The money
that is thus invested, and will Of neces-
si'y have to be invested, i, NOT, and miN
mol be, lost. at is only "bread cast
upon the waters" The beneficial re-
suits will show themselves in the course
Of time with triple interest.
Yours, &c, J..
ElizabethtowD, Pa, Feb. 10, 1879.
roNSu-yuG,v.Eny sU-nrn