The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-08-07
Letter from White Sulphur.
THE PLACE AND THE PEOPLE-PERSONAL
THE IRON INTERESTS OF w. vA.-INCI-
r,Irn1rrss u I'LL EC,rIONlC &c.

home and friends and business by the inva-
sion of disease and death in the form Of yell
low fever. OF course, the White is the des-
tination of the bulk OF them-its larger ac-
Communications, proximity to the railroad, the
celebrity of its waters, the diversity of the
visitors, constituting attractions found no
where else in the mountains OF the Virginias.
Then, too, tie proverbial hospitality, the
system of the accommodations, the variety
Of the methods of comfort, adapted to the
tastes and inclnations Of the different char
acters and educations which are reflected
here draw the citizens from every section
and State, each finding a way to pleasantly
pass the time allowed for summer recrea-
ton, or the remedial agents for physical in
firmities. One fact prominently presents it.
self, in days observation of the passing
throng,as they thread through the halls and
corridors of the massive main building, or
leisurely indulge in the delightfully."- shaded
open-air promenades, or recline beneath the
protecting branches Of the huge old oaks,
which lift their forms, in suggestive gran
deur heavenward, and that is,the large pro-
portion Of elderly people numbered among
the vistors-lades and gentlemen, many of
them, who have passed their three score
years, some hale and healthy and others fee
BILE and decrepid, after fighting the battle of
life, encountering its crosses and pleasures,
now seeking that indefinabe absent some
thing, or ever-feeing phantom Of pleasure.
that remains intantalizing distance from US.
1t would form curious yet instructive les
son, could the story of each ones life be un-
folded, the castles in the air builded, the
golden ideals that lured the ambition,
the affections, the yearnings of the soul,
and yet were never reached. The vacuum
is still there, the pursuit still continues, and
the will'o-the- wisp still dances and fits be-
fore, inviting, yet eluding, the grasp. The
stately matrons and courtly gentlemen, who
have sounded the hollow pleasures OF life,
traced the mazes of the dance, dallied with
affections, and sported with life itself, come
here for repose-to inhale the pure breezos
which sweep over this lovely spot, and
feed upon the emerald beauty which crowns
the forests and robes the valleys, as the
giant oaks reach to kiss the clouds and the
vale smiles to witness the majesty of its own
offspring, nurtured for centuries upon its
bosom and now protecting its verdure, in
filial devotion, from the searching sun. Some
have filled the measure OF their usefulness,
and others, perhaps, are reaping the rewards
Of neglected or abused opportunities-all
lessening each day the muffled pulsations OF
tue heart, and stepping quietly off the meas
ured distance that merges the realities OF
life into the mysteries Of death. ..,.....
And others are here in the flush and vigor
of rosy youth, just as those old patriarchs
were when first they reveled in the beauties
and pleasures of this charming place. They
will tread the same path, partake OF the
same infatuations, indulge the same delusive
hopes, never seeking instruction from expe-
Renee, or to evade the breakers upon which
others have stranded. Such is life, and such
it will continue to be, until each atom OF
humanity, now and hereafter, has danced its
dan.e in the sunbeam of existence, and
returned to its mother dust.
1t is natural for one who has passed the old
age of youth and entered upon the:youth ofold
age to moralize or sermonize, as he watches
the motions and expressions of nearly a
thousand human beings, of all ages, from
infancy to. gray hairs. as they pass to and
gro, each with his or her unsatisfled want,and
eagerly reaching after that which will new
er be grasped. Innocent, thoughtess.
childhood, Joyous, elastic youth, maiden fair
and courtier gay. severe old age, with the
step tottering on the verge of the tomb, all,
all tell the same story, whether in poverty
or wealth, health or sickness, OF the yearn-
ing for that which it has not, and which the
bountiful and multiplied provisions OF nature
and art cannot grant.
Among the celebrities here during the past
week were two noted men, who stood side by
side in the Senate of the United States, bat
thing for the same political faith, but now rep
resenting divergentand antagonizing types OF
thought and conclusion as to the nature and
character of our recommendation Cam
eron, of Pennsylvania, and Robert Toombs,
of Georgia. When Mr.. Cameron was told
that Mr.. Toombs was on the grounds he
expressed pleasurable emotion, and sought
him. When they met the greeting and
hapdshaking were as cordial 90 il long sep
arated brothers had unexpectedly come to-
gether. They grasped each other by the
hand earnestly, shook awhile, then word
and another shake, evidencing that whatev-
er the political differences, there were yet
kindly feelings between these two remarka-
BILE men. MIR. Cameron has extreme views
as to the nationality of ogr government,
while Mr.. Toombs believes in State SOW
ereignty, the right of secession, and con-
tends that the recognition of this right in
the Constitution is the only safety to ouriRe-
publican institutions, ignoring the facts OF
history and unmindful OF the issue that was
appealed to-the determination of the
sword,
Senator Don Cameron and Hon. Wayne
McVeagh were here last week, Hon. j. w.
Hopkins, of Pittsburg, and family are here,
and Hons. Ran. Tucker, Geo. G. Cabell,
and Col. B. Christian, of Virginia, and
Gov. Matthews. of w. Va, are among
the prominent visitors. One hears very
little of politics. Indeed, afr. Toombs,
and Mr.. Royal, of Richmond. are the only
gentlemen have heard discussing political
matters. The generality of the visitors
seem to court quiet, descanting on the cur
rent news and indulging in that train OF
remark and conversation that requires very
little mental effort. si
Staunton is represented By Maj. Bell and
family, Maj. Hanger, J. Fred. Effinger. DR..
A. NJ. Henkel and family, land full compile
ment of assistants about the Hotel, includ-
ing Messrs. j. N. Woodward, Fl. II. Peck,
S. e. Miller, Don and W. T. McCue, j. G.
Rcler, of Mt. Sidney, Eugene Peyton, w.
D. Whitfield. W. M. Allen, Upshur Ker,
Preston Means, and, probably Others
Mr.. Hopkins. of Pittsburg. is PresideLs
Of Marrow Guage Road projected from