National Republican., 1880-08-17
VIRGINJ1 IFFIIRS.
A Trim to the Loudon valley.

prise and effort in that direction. Her noun
tains arc laden with minerals Of value that
only need 10 be brought TO the surface by
| skilled industry. Virginia has lying between
her mountainous ridges the finest valleys for
agricultural purposes that the sun shines upon.
Those who nave passed through the valleys of
| tho Shenandoah the Rappnhannock and the
James arc forcihly struck with their beauty
aud fertility. Tho only wonder Is that the
| population of the whole state are not, with
such marked advantages, more prosperous.
moments reflection, however, must satisfy
the thoughtful mind that there are legitimate
causes which bling u mildcw upon the enter
| prises and resources OF the state. It's state
| government is not such as to assure the popu-
| lHtiom and encourage their efforts ut enter
| prise. Ii Is bourbon or conservative, as they
are pleased to term it-and all know hat there
| Is little if any incentive TO progress in con.
sorvatism. II is Il clog and hindcrnco to nd-
vanGement. II lives in tho past, and mover
has an eye or u word for development aud
progress 1t goes through its career backward
and in timid, uncertain and unsuccessful
manner. IL inspires neither confidence nor
effort, and hence IL acts like u blight upon
whatever it touches. Then again, the mildcw
Of slavery still hangs over The aspects of tho
state. Though tho slaves are free, bour bon
Shareholder is the same at heart and senti-
ment to-day that he was whom he had slaves to
answer his beck and nod, and no more pro-
grcssvo in feeling and purpose now than he
| was then. The virus Of slavery crops out oc-
casionally among the bourbons even now, as
| II did before emancipation camc TO the slave.
This was peculiarly evidenced the other day
| Mt Lecsburg when the colored republicans OF
that town sought to raise Garfield and Ar
thur pole aud hold II ratification meeting. Al
| though cheerful permission had been granted
for the erection of two bourbon poles one Of
which is on tho courthouse square, the old
bourbon slave prejudice was so strong and
incorporating, the objections were so nuiner-
Gus from that quarter against IL, that the re-
publcans deferred pcaceably to those prciu
didcS and erected their pole quito remote from
the centre Of the corporation. This fact Is
referred to for the purpose Of sustaining the
point that the pro-slavcry aud "niggcr''hat-
ing spirit toward tho cOlOred citizen is quito
us great rs il was when lie was chattcl, and
no doubt even more active. Uutil Virginia
can emaucipato herself from this impending
cause she can never take up step 10 the music
of progress and prosperity.
But it was the purpose Of this article at the
outset TO refer more especially TO the portions
of the state known as the Loudou valley, or
rs might properly be stated its series of val
lcys This region, which is among the most
beautiful, fertile and prosperous of Virgiuas
domain, nestles among the spurs and ut tho
west of CotOcton mountain, which is really Il
spur of the Bluo Ridge, from which il is sepa-
rated by siX-mlc valley Of unparalleled
beauty aud foitility, and which stretches
along its eastern base. The region known as
the Loudon valley is charmingly picturesque.
1t ia gracefully undulating, and the hilsides
aud valleys Of its makeup present. to the eye
| II panorama of rare attractivcncsS, being in
terspersed with cultivated fields and dotted
with neat architectural specimens of farm
: houses barns, etc. Tho northeast portion OF
Loudon county Is populated by an indus.
| i,in nj ri pf
who contributed lberally to the union cause
during tho war in tho way Of soldiers, having
put nearly regiment in the field. These
, citizens sympathizc with the republican cause
for the reason that they have 10 confidence in
, q party which sought the national life aud
! failed aud now practices a deception upon the
, people by gliding the elements Of rebellion
with union general.
Loudon county has u largo population o
quakers, who during the war sylnpathiaet
with the union cause, though non-rcsistant
i4principlc and practice. Phey gave no num-
ber of men to tho army worthy Of mention
but they gave generously of their substance
to feed our soldiers aud alleviate the sulering'
of our wounded. Their sympathies are mol
changed. They now stand firmly with cdOrt
and ballot on the side of the party OF tho union
aud arc doing valiant service in behalf of the
; election of Garfield and Arthur. That sect
will give good account Of itself in the pend
, | luS SlhN"Sh'
THE SOCIETY OF FRIENDS.
The quarterly meeting OF the Friends
of Virginia and Maryland is now being
held ut the mceting-houso at the vii
lage Of Lincoln, an edifce that has breasted
the winds and storms of nearly or quito con
tury Tho sermon on Sunday last wa:
preached by Mr.. Darlington Hooks of Mary
land, and was very practical aud instructive
discourse the inCucations of which, If studied
aud followed as the rule of life, would teud tc
{ make far bcttcr men and citizens thai
. are now to be found in the average
: American society. 1t treated Of indi
vidual responsibility to the requirements o
tho creator and the welfare of society, aud III
r admonitions were forci6lo and profitable n
I. the basis of human action. He was followcc
, by Mrs Davis of Falls Church, who exhorted
/ the sisters in n fervid spirit aud in elOquen
terms. Then followed an Impressive prayer
from Mr.. j. Janney which would have graceC
any pulpit in the land. Tho quarterly meet
ing will continue for several days during th
present week and is an exceedingly Interest
ing occasion with that sect.
Throughout the extent Of boud0n county
there is an air of thrift. Prosperity advertise
/ the entire section rs populated by temperate
: frugal, upright and industrious class of Ameli
can citiz5ns whose aim IL is to sustain well
ordered, circumspeGt aud happy state Of so
ciety in that section Of our common country
Q ---~=o.
Fredericksburg Matters.