The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1880-02-12
Winchester.

We have had fOndness for Winchester
for many years. The patient heroism OF the
ladies of that place during the war, when
it was the camping ground; alternately, OF
both armies the courage of its people gen.
orally, during that trying period, and the
we'll directed energy and sagacity since
then, have demanded the respect and adj
miration of all who are acquainted with
the recent history of that battle-scarred
town. Possibly no place ia the South can
boast of more heightened and elegant pop
ulation, and especially is the professional
class there composed of gentlemen of the
highest type, who lend their talents and in
fiuence to any suggestion that is calcu-
lated to promote the material interests OF
their section, and add to the wealth and
Importance of their town. We have fire.
quently met, at the Federal Courts at Har-
risonburg, and the Supreme Court at Staun-
ton, the prominent members of the legal
fraternity of Winchester, and their quiet
and respectful methods, in attending to the
business with which they have been en-
trusted, have called for special remark.
Winchester, through the public spirit and
cooperation of her professional and bust
ness men generally, has made good pro-
gress in establishing industries since the
war. Her glove factory, shoe factory, pa
per factory, foundries, sumac mill, and
other industrial enterprises, would be a
credit to any people, and recently we no
tice that pubic meeting was held there
for the purpose of considering the interest
of the community in the railroad projects
now in progress in the Shenandoah Val
ley. They propose to avail themselves OF
the increasing activity in the business OF
the country to benefit their own locality,
and to take such steps as will attract at
tention to the advantages there possessed.
The professional and business men of that
place, have the sagacity to see that the
growth of their town and the prosperity OF
the people cannot be assured without the
cooperation and earnest efforts of the
prominent citizens of all classes, and conse-
quently they make common cause, not only
in devising schemes to employ labor, but in
aiding them with their surplus means.
1t is this spirit that builds up communi-
ties, and it is this spirit we should like to
see emulated in Staunton. We naturally
possess advantages that Winchester Goes
not; yet Winchester has five times the
manufactures that Staunton possesses. The
way to succeed in this line is for our own
people to show their confidence in the fl-
ture of the city, land this will attract the at
te0tion of others. The active interest now
being manifested in the iron and coal in
dustries along the line Of the Chesapeake
and Ohio Railroad, will, in no great time,
open the way Cor auxiliary industries in
Staunton, and if or people do not seize
the opportunity, others viii, and reap the
reward Of their enterprise. AS 1t is, the
mineral resources of this portion of the
State are being developed by gentlemen
from other States than Virginia, and it will |
not be dong before all the more promising
avenues of femunerative business, growing
sut of their Development, will be con-
rolled either in part by our citizens or eX-
;lusiveIy by those from distance. Let the
of Winchester be considered, and
instead of quietly thriving upon pereear
ums and discounts, let Our people unite
heir capital and efforts to establish indus.
ries which will not only employ and bene-
it the laboring classes of the vicinage, but
raw to us skilled industry and abundant
apital from other sections.