Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1881-03-01
The Future of WayuesbOro'.

The attention of the citizens of this section of
Virginia should be called to the remarkable
promise of the town Of Way nesboro'. Though
at present, its proportions are almost nsignifi-
cant, 1t bids fair to become the most populous
and thrifty community in the Valley. No
locality in the South can establish surer claims
to ultimate growth and prosperity; none can
more confidently assert future of wealth and
| consequence. 1t is situated on land admirably
adapted for the location of city, upon a river
which will furnish an abundant supply of wa
ter both for drinking purposes and sanitary
uses; and in the midst of region of wonderful
fertility. Its surrounding population is intelli-
gent and energetic. and its climate, for health
and salubrity, Is unsurpassed. In addition to
| these unusual natural advantages, by the COM
pletion Of the new railroad, it will be made the
point OF intersection Of two of the greatest
trunk lines Of the country, and will be placed
in direct communicatiOn-N orth, South East,
and West-with every portion OF this CONT
nent. The corporation known as the Shenan-
doah Valley Railroad Company has assumed
gigantic proportions, and will be most i'm
portant link in The grand chain of international
| transit from New York to the city of Mexico
The Chesapeake & Ohio is being pushed to deep
water in the East, and will soon be extended to
operate in connection with the through lines
of the great West Waynesboro' now offers
every advantage to capital intending to en-
bark in manufactures. With iron and coal ac-
cessible in unlimited quantities; with suffi-
| cient supply of fine water; with an outlet TO
every point of the compass; with the advan-
tage of competition in railroad freight tariffs )
and with taxes merely nominal, what hopes in
regard to her future are too extravagant? Rail-
road shops will probably be located in her linn
W hap will oft p1a Mt aH.
vantages of additional population and in
creased business activity. The writer is not
| personally interested in the growth Of this
| town. save to the extent in which it will neces-
sarily benefit the county at large. He, there
| fore, feels no hesitation in saying that, in his
small Judgment, more of the conditions, which
| ultimately make cities, exist in the town of
| Waynesboro' to-day than in any community,
| of the same size, the South. In the West,
| like conditions would cause city to spring up
| as if by magic. and the whole surrounding
country would glow with a vigorous activity.
The South, in the next decade, is to be the scene
of immense development. Our commercial and
manufacturing thraldOm was terminated by
the abolition of slavery the Intervening years
| have severely trained u.s. and we must strip for
| the race. Virginia is destined to follow in the
| path which Pennsylvania has successfully
| trod. Large towns and prosperous cities must
spring mp in every portion of her border, and
| by the exercise Of the slightest wisdom on her
| part, Waynesboro' will be prominent among
them. Energetic action, by her citizens, should
be at once taken. Her town authorities should
| insist that all new streets shall be perfectly
straight and of imposing width. Squares and
| blocks should be laid Off with regularity and in
the most approved style. Property owners
should divide their land into convenient sec
lions, and hold alternate lots at tempting fig
ures. Present sacrifice and future profit is
preferable to present stinginess and fu-
| ture. Let them learn that because their
fathers did thing is not q reason precedent
for their action. Let them get out OF the old
ruts. Let little enthusiasm be displayed.
little self-denial be practiced. If her citi-
zens do this, if by wise lberality of senti-
ment they encourage the influx of population,
and instead of holding all of their property at
| exorbitant figures, give activity to the real es-
tate market by sub-dividing and taking reason
| able value, the most enthusiastic expectations
may be realized, and the town, extending upon
both sides of the river, give US practical illus
| trattion of truly western growth. a. G. S.
-~-e->--
ANNIvERSARY CELEBRATION OF THE ZeNO-
| BIAN LITERARY SoCIETY.-The first anmver-
sary of THE Zenobian Literary Society OF
| Stanton Female Seminary came OFT in the
Study Hall of that Institution on Friday night
| of last week. The hall was simply, but taste
| fully ornamented, and presented quite an at
| tractive appearance. The large audience was
| quite select and appreciative one.
The exercises were opened with vocal solo
| by Miss Cora Turner, one of the vocal teachers
| of the school, and rendered in her usual happy
style. Miss Turner a substitute for Miss
FoEtaine, of Hanover c. H, who, though pres
| ent, was not able to perform, because Of recent
indsposition.
| The Principal then in behalf OF the chairman
OF the committee of arrangements, introduced
Prof. S. H. Coleman as the orator for the occa-
| sion, who, after some happy Introductory re-
| marks announced his theme :-"Woman: Her
| Past, Present, and Future" The address was
| beautiful. sensible well-timed, and showed the
| speaker to be in fullest sympathy with his sub
ject. We heard but one opinion of the address,
| both from the members Of the school and spec
| tators viz: it was admirable We regret we
cannot give extracts, that our readers might
enjoy some its beauties and judge of its mer
it's.
| At the conclusion of the address, the Misses
Shirley and Dosh treated the audience to du-
cite on the piano. Many were the expressions
of its beauties, and Of the faultless rendering
by the young performers.
Thus closed the exercises of the celebration.
| We are glad to know that this school is so
prosperous. 1t will catalogue larger list of pu-
pills than last year. Three boarders and num-
| Der of day pupils have entered since January.
The new boarders from Texas, West Vir-
ginia and Maryland.
| The prospect for another year is said to be
unusually fiattering. We hope it may be full
| to its utmost capacity.
| ODD FELLOWS kE-UNIoN.-The Odd Fellows
meeting last Thursday nipht W MEMS u