Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1879-10-23
Down In the NirginIas.
IMPRESSIONS oF A. INTELLIGENT XEw.
YORKER.


YORKER.
Major II. W. belong, Of Dansvillc.
Livingston county, New York, has
been doing the Nirginias. We have
space but for two extracts, which seem
to prove we have wonders and sources
OF wealth east OF the Rocky Mountains,
nearer home, Of which wc have not a
fair conception. Major Dclong made
a very full tour and survey OF both
states, looking in upon the watering
places, spying cut the agricultural
regions, scanning the mining sections,
and studying character IA well. Of
ride along the Chesapeake 4 Ohio Rail.
road down the valley of New River, ne
thus speaks: "ln passing through this
New River country, where one secs
nothing but rocks and water. one j.
very apt TO form very low idea of its
agricultural advantages Once at the
top Of this canyon a rich, diversified
country stretches away on either hand,
dotted with farm houses and villages.
Thousands Of sheep and cattle Craze on
the hillsidcs, and the industrious farm
eT here rcaps rich returns. When ma.
ture IN some great CONFUSION rent this
New River canyon she left exposed
great stores Of iron and coal. You see
II cropping out everywhere as free a.
water. At intervals we pass great iron
works, and lateral roads are constantly
branching out leading TO some extra
rich deposits further in the mountain.
Bituminous, splint and camel coal
abound, and the oil indications are 80
good that companies are being formed
aud dcrricks rising all about, with an
absolute certainty that the precious
liquid will be found. Capital is all that
Is necessary TO bring this naturally en-.
dowed region into commercial prorni-
nencc second TO no other locality ia
the country
We extract this much that is appro.
PIRATE of the magnificent field for en-.
terprise, and TO be developed in West
Virginia. The writer concludes with
the following tribute TO Nirginians and
their State:
"a word in closing relative to our
impressions Of Virginia and her people.
We are not overdrawing it or speaking
with an enthusiasm born of recent
contact, when we say that we never met
a more thoroughly cordial set of men
in all our travels than those We met in
the odd Dominion. Nearly all of those
with whom we came in contact were
eE-Coniedcrate officers, who, instead of
being bitter toward the North--as the
stay.at home politicians assert, and
majority Of the Northern people be-
lieve-are constantly speaking of the
superiority of our institutions. aud
wishing that our 60 ahead farmers and
mechanics would come into the State
and give It that impulse so much need.
ell. A Nirginian never asks or in any
way attempts to find out your politics.
To be gentleman is enough. The
fact OF your being Republican or
Democrat is OF no Importance. OF the
future Of Virginia IL will take a proph
etic JUNCTION superior TO ours TO tell.
She has great natural advantages, n
kindly soil, short winters, fine timber.
deposits Of coal and iron enough to
supply the world. But she is poor
great debts hang over her threatening.
ly. Northern capital and Northern
hands Injured to toll are the two great
things she needs. and a cordial wei.
come will be extended 10 all who choose
to make this favored spot their home.
Let us hope the time is not far distant
when the people. OF the North. con
quering all prejudice, will flock to Vir.
ginia, and with ready capital, labor.
saving machines, and willing hands,
make her what she has all the elements
of, the first State in the Union"
We reprint this not 10 exalt our
neighboring commonwealth over our
own at all, but to exempliy what we
believe, that while for the time the
Star Of Empire" is steadily making its
way West, the time may not be remote
when the tide of emigration may take
a new route, and find as fat and enjoy
able pastures as any that have devel.
oped in any of those now the Mecca Of
so many Of our restless people.