The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-09-11
any other people, their educator aud theil
ctranOth

any other people, ther educator anu their
strength.
4
have met with great many men in the
Valley Of far above average ability. Col.
Hartman who was in Stonewall Jackson's
Brigade; Judge McCue, one of the most ell
oquent and graceful speakers | have ever
listened to; Co. j. Lewis Peyton, late Con-
federate Minister in England most facile
and finished writer, author of the "Amerl-
lean Crisis ssOver the Alleghanles and
Across the Prairies," and numerous other
works, which were published and had large
circulation here the Hon. A. II. II. Stu
art, an honored and leading statesman at
Washington; Co. Baldwin, late law advl-
ser to the Confederate Government, a man
OF the highest legal ability, and like some l
have named, man OF spotless integrity !;
General Echols, who so highly distinguished
himself atthe BATH, OF New Market, and in
fact during the entire Southern war, were,
or are all Stanton people, and with all
of them l am on more or less Intimate
terms. / may also mention that McCor-
mick, the inventor OF the reaping machine !;
McKeever, the inventor of the portable
tllreshing machine, Gibbs, of Wilcox & Gibbs,
the sewing machine inventor, and others.
but whom Icannot now recall to my recol-
lection, are all Valley men. Staunton is a
small town, yet at all OF the annual fairs,
you will see exhibited some novel inven-
lions Or labor saving ms chimes. remember
at late Fair being much struck with a
wooden field-gate, easily and cheaply made,
and requiring no hinges or bars; also, with
a whcel> barrow on which a man could carry
almost twice as much as with an ordinary
wheel-barrow. I suppose neither OF these
Inventions are patented here, and If any OF
nv mechanical friends, OF whom see few
here, will take an interest in either of them,
| will have much pleasure in explaining the
principles OF their construction.
The Free Public Schools OF Staunton were
organized in 1870. These schools are all
graded. For the whites there are five
grades, twelve schools and twelve teachers !;
for the blacks there are schools in two
grades, with teachers. Vocal music is
taught in all schools, and all pupils are
drilled in singing, and reading of music.
The only requirements for admission to
any of the schools is the production of a Ger
tificate of vaccination. These schools are
all extremely we'll conducted and worthy Of
the highest confidence. The children Of the
wealthy and the poor alike patronize them.
In Stanton isalso located the State Asylum
for the education of the deaf, dumb and
blind This is noble institution supported
by the State Children here receive an or
binary education and, il the parents choose,
are taught suitable trade, or else receive
musical education to enable them to support
themselves. The State Lunatic Asylum is
also situated in Staunton. This is grand
institution and with its extensive and mag
nificent buildings and beautiful grounds
forms an attractive feature Of the city. Con-
nected with it is one of the very best and
most successful hospitals in the United
States. AS all contribute to the support OF
these institutions no person considers that he
or she is receiving charity while partaking
Of their benefits.
For nothing is Staunton more celebrated
than its Ladies' Colleges. These are four in
number, viz :: the Episcopal,- the Presbyte-
rian, the Lutheran, and he Wesleyan. The
Roman Catholics are also inaugurating one
Ladies from every part of the Union attenc
these colleges, which have the power of con
| ferring degrees anG diplomas. | believe the
colleges are most efficient and well conduct
ed. They do not confer medical degrees.
nor teach any legal studies. The Southern
ladies have not much faith in anything OF
that kind.
l remember hearing a lady connected
with one Of these colleges express herself te
this effect, quoting the words, | think, @
Longfelow. lin that sphere which mos
becomes woman, calm and holy, she sit
by the tireside of the heart feeding its flame
The flame of love is pure and burns as brigh
within poor mans hut as mid palace
walls.''
When last spoke here, about thre year
ago, some Of my friends thought that l spoke
too hardly of the colored people. They arr
a most unfortunate race. From the earljes
ages they have been hewers of wood an
drawers of water, and now that the protect
ing influence Of slavery has been removed
they are fast dwindling away.
Even miscegenation, which it was hopet
would raise the status Of the race has failed
for after the third or fourth geneation they
are utterly unable to obey Natures frs
great law-increase and multiply.
Can it be that they have fulfilled their par
on this earthly stage, and like the red ma
or the native Australian that they are doom
ed to speedy and total extinction.
I was much struck with the similarity {
features among the Virginians. They hav
all got straight noses straight foreheads an
small jaws. There is a frame in Richmon
containing portraits OF 40 or so of their leat
ing generals during the late war. | did M
see pug or short Roman nose among them
But have also remarked that the descend
ants of the Canadian Or Louisiana Frenc
and the descendants of the Dutch settler
longer retain their national type OF counter
ances. Why is this? Is it because the An
Clio Saxons from these islands can soone
adapt themselves to the American climat
and modes of thinking and acting?
We all know that the modern inhabitanl
OF Greece though distinct race from tt
ancient Greeks still retain the well know
Greek profile. The same popularity thong
in much less marked degree, has been ofte
remarked among the Italians. Many peopl
at the present time prophesya great futur
for Italy because of the so called Italian Tn
ty. True she has lately produced Cavour,
Garibalde and Victora Emanuel but althoue
these great men have done their best to ga
vanize into new life the Italian nation sti
the result will be certain failure. The
!, stand too far off and are too remote from th
great main stream of human progress.
Greece, Spain, Portugal and Souther
France all appear to me to be similarly sit
ated; they must stand aside in the great in
tellectual Olympus of Nations. Russia az
pears restless and uneasy. The great Yves