Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1881-08-16
Southwark the Course Of Empire
From the Richmond State.

From the Richmond state
The return of the prosperity of the
South since the war has not been rapid,
it is true, but it has been sure, and that
is much better. There is nothing Of
the mushroom in its nature, but it has
rather the form of the sturdy oak. We
did not rush wildly into grand schemes
reckless and needless of the conse-
quence, but our people prudently and
foundation of prosperous future by
their own energies, money, and labor.
All things have therefore kept at equal
pace with US, and we have all risen to-
gether. Nothing was spasmodic. We
did not go by fits and starts; but hus-
banding we'll our resources we pulled
all together, with willing hands and
stout hearts, and it is not very wonder.
full that we have pulled through, and
are now again upon safe and sure stand
ing-ground.
we had money always here, that is
for all necessary purposes, but none to
waste, or risk even, in speculation or
wild and uncertain schemes. This was
fortunate, too, for our poverty kept US
out of mischief and forced us to be
watchful and to work. Our men of
means have been accused of timidity,
and even of meanness, because at times
they appeared to hug their wealth lit
tie closely and refused to allow it to
flow out freely in furthering every pro-
ject or plan that was started by hair
Drained enthusiasts or inexperienced
undertakes for the instantaneous resto-
ration of the South. But it was only
the prudence learned of years and ex-
perience. They had lived longer and
knew more than their children, and
were not 80 easily convinced as they
were that something could really be
made from nothing, or that the appear.
ance of wealth was wealth. Besides,
while they had money, they had none
to throw away; and it was their duty
to hold what was left them in faithful
trust for those to whom it would right
fully belong in very few years. The
fever of the careless gambling age was
spent in their blood. which had beer
cooled and tempered by their years
and fortunate is it for the present gen.
GRAFTON, now coming to the front and
taking charge Of the worlds affairs
that the wisdom of their fathers had
of the past. And now we see the gOOG
results of their wise foresight. By il
the South has been made ready and full
" prepared for this new inflow of CAPT
itai that has set in This direction. She
is not taken by surprise, for its coming
has been as long announced as it hal
been confidently expected. It does moi
come upon us with suddenness to over
whelm us by its abundance and raise III
as in a moment from out the depths o
poverty to the heights of unlocked fol
aff1uence ..sbut as the well-earned and
Justly due return of our own labor.
We are glad to see it now flowing
in from every quarter, but it is nothing
more, nor does it come in greater abun
dance than we predicted. The hus
bandman who prepares well his ground
sows his seed with judgment and works
his crop with diligence, knows wha
must be the result of favoring rains
and this is our situation. We expected
plenteous harvest and we are reapint
it. That is all. The millions Of north
ern capital now coming in to develop
our railroad systems and aid us in oul
manufacturing and other industrial pur
suits and enterprises as fast as it comes
will be our own, and belong to us for
ever by rightEof that indisputable it'll
wages well earned. It will never g
away again, but here it must stay, by
its magnetic power attracting still great
er quantities, and by its fecundity
breeding with thrifty increase and en-.
riching us hundred fold.