Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1880-05-28
May 2s, 1880.
EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE.


determined 10 carry intO execution long
anticipated pleasure, we brushed off the
cobwebs and dust, threw aside the pen and
scissors, slammed the door of our sanctum,
and through the courtesy of VIM. NJ. Glenn
ents, Esq, Master Of Transportation of the
Baltimore and Ohio railroad, we took the
9:95 train on Friday morning last for rather
an extended trip along the historic and ro-
mantle valley Of the beautiful Shenandoah.
Comfortably seated in one of the luxuri-
GUS chairs of Pullman Palace car, with a
breathing and animated landscape opening
up on either side, now skirting smoothly
along under the deep shadows Of the forest
trees, now winding through fertile ravines
or passing over smiling fields, with every
fitful breeze ladened with the soft fragrance
of flowers from the wildwood and the fresh
and newly blooming clover fields, we indeed
enjoyed positive luxury.
We have not yet grown old, but what
stupendous and terrific leap has the pro-
gress Of man taken even within our recollec-
ton. The old mode ofconveyance has been
abandoned and we are driving along at the
rate of thirty miles an hour over an iron
road by the locomotive which goes thunder
ing on its mission of civilization, in part d.
rected by motor (the telegraph) that has
been harnessed into the service of man and
which mocks at time and annihilates dis
lance. Everywhere, in all the departments
of science, in every branch Of the arts, i'm
provement and progress have been going on
with q sublimity Of achievement unknown
to any age Of the past, these things are
mighty motors which propel civilization,
throwing a wonderful energy into the for
ward impulse of the world. This mighty
billow of progress is heavily freighted with
good, for with it will one day come the de-
velopment Of the true nature and theory Of
government, the true solution of the great
theory of social compact, the proper adjust
ment of the relations of man TO man, the
utter abrogation Of that profane assertion
that man is but a natural enemy Of his
fellow man." and infuse fresh and right
full appreciation Of the nature and value of
human rights. 1t is bringing forward the
masses, refining and elevating the millions
who delve and toll. 1t will stimulate into
mastery activity dormant energies and bring
forth their inward might 1t gives birth to
mighty thought to guide the hands that set
all this vast machinery in motion 1t diff
fuses and strengthens intellectually, and
the pride of intellectually, making OF the
men who works something more than
mere machines themselves. We distinctly
remember when these very lands over which
we are 50 rapidly hurrying were almost an
unbreken waste. The few acres which were
cultivated, yielded but poor revenue fol
the time and labor bestowed and gave but
little encouragement 10 the owners. But
under a steady, energetic and intelligent
system of cultivation, in which all the mod
rnappliances applicable to agriculture have
been brought into requisition, they have be-
come productive and valuable Inviting
homesteads have sprung up in every direc
ton. A greater portion Of the abandoned
lands have been reclaimed and are in higl
state Of cultivation, responding literally t,
an industrious and enterprising people
1t is only eight minutes since we left tn,
"old burg" and we are within the limits 0
the municipality of Gaithersburg. My, wha
changed Only few years since and
was as dull, stupid and dingy place as eve
shivered and shrieked under winters wind
Now ii is all life and animation, and ha
really assumed the proportions and power
corporation. Enterprise is visible every
where. II enjoys, perhaps, the largest trad
along the Metropolitan Branch. Beautiful
private residences built In the most approve,
and artistic style adorn its suburbs. Anon,
its many improvements are to be observe,
carriage factory, town hall and one or tw,
warehouses. Go ahead, Gaithersburg null
tiply and increase; extend your corporat
limits, open up other avenues OF trade; w
rejoice with you in your prosperity an,
fondly hope that your every enterprise ma,
be realized-5m you can't ha1 the count
seat! We charge you, throw aside thi
idea or "else ambition will DER leap itsel
and fall upon the other side"
Here comes that intolcrabe pest and Dor,
TO the travelling public. lie has his arms full
Of mushroom literature.
Have something new to read to-dayy"
"No, sir, we are not Ia want of any read
ing matter, we are taking notes, and faitl
we'll prent EN-"
bob lngersoll's lectures, revised edition
just out, only dollar and quarter NIGEL,
bound, handsomely printed-see the opn
ions OF the press--take a copy Y
mo, sir, we rejoice 10 know and feel tina
we live in "A christian land; we believe il
the doctrines Of christianity we are ridinl
ON too irai barrier between time and
eternity; turning too many short curves
passing over too many high spans OF bridges
behold around us too many evidences o.
Gods love and mercy TO be proianing oul
time by reading the eloquent profanity OF /
man who has prostituted his magnificent
talent to the blasphemy Of his Maker-pas,
ON with your merchandise and obtain /
livelihood through means forbidden botl
by the constitution of your nature and III,
laws Of God"
A few miles further and we halt for 4
moment at Germantown. point which ha
increased much in importance and promi
hence since the construction Of the railroad
II is situated in the heart OF a thickly popu
lated and productive portion Of the county
Many Of our leading and enterprising farm
ers reside in lis immediate vicinity A larg
amount Of produce is shipped annually iron
this place, which together with the estab
lishment Of one or two profitable agricul
tural agencies causes il TO compare favora
bly, with any station along the route.
There aeseyernl points Of interest and rapi,
growth we pass before reaching the Mon
ocacy u which we would like TO give NOR
than passing notice. but want Of time an
space prccludes Us doing 40. We canno