The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1881-03-17

STAUNToN, VA, March 18th, 81.
Dear Sir Il had the honor to receive your letter
of Sth tnst few days ago, and avail myself of the
first leisure time to reply to 1t
am gratihed that you have read, and approved,
my letter to the Amerlcun, and communication to
the Planter and Farmer. feel sure that have
the people Of virginia,-and, indeed, Of the South
generally,-and 1 hope the day is near at hand
when sectionalism will give place to broader and
more catholic patriotism.
should be gratthed If you could induce a colony
OF industrious Northern to settle in Virginia,
and you may safely assure them of a cordial wei
come.
think Virginia, at this time, presents peculiar
attractions to immigrants. Her position, midway
between the North and South, gives her great ad-
vantages. Her climate is genial, and her soil
though in some parts of the State exhausted by In
to the growth of all kinds of cereals, grasses, and
fruits. Her mountains filled with minerals, and
clothed with variety Of the best timbers such as
oak, pine, hickory, ash, walnut, cherry, &c.-for
manufacturing purposes. The Western portion of
the State is elevated from 1000 to 1900 feet above
tide. Her streams, in descending, give an album
dance of water power and from tide-water to the
ocean constitute the highways of commerce.
Her proximity to the cities Of Washington, Baltl-
more, Philadelphia; and the numerous rail- as well
as water ways, which connect her with them, fur
n1sh admirable facilities for commerce. Railways
across her territory from east to west and two from
north to south. Some six or seven other railways
are projected through her territory some of which
are in process of constructor, and will be finished
during the pI esent season. Her systems of schools
and colleges admirable. Churches of all de-
nominations are be found convenient to the peo-
pie of every county. Her lands are cheap, and can
be bought safely, as an investment There Is no
country on the face of the globe where every right
of person and property is more secure or where
freedom of opinion is NOR literally tolerated.
Manufactures are daily springing into existence,
and we are plainly on the of era of unpre-
cedented prosperity and progress.
Blue grass is indigenous to the great Valley Of he
shenandoah, and portion OF the Piednont DIS
trict and both are admirably adapted to $40 krAis
tng-sheep do well and are found to be profitable.
The Tidewater section is becoming great m rket-
garden, to supply the Northern cities win ear
vegetables and fruits. The apples, peaches, pears
and cherries, and other fruits raiseu III Virginia,
are superior in flavor to any have ever seen esq
where.
Now that slavery is dead see good reason
why thousands of em1grants should not crowd 10
Virginia. She presents the great advantage at
the West that the immigrant comes into COM
munity which has settled organization, and where
all the appliances of comfort and high civilization
are ready and firmly established.
Demagogues have made some difficulty about the
settlement of our public debt, but that will soon
pass away. The present rate of taxation for all
state purposes, is SO cents S co. The county tax
for roads, schools and other local purposes varies
with the wants of the respective counties, but
ly exceeds 20 or 30 cents the 800.
The assessments on which these taxes are laid,
are generally largely below actual cash value.
Under our constitution no one kind Of property
can be taxed higher than another and the State is
prohibited from mourning any new debt.
The present rate Of taxation, accompanied by a
fair valuation of property, would yield an amount
amply sufficient to pay the expenses of government
the cost OF our public schools and the interest
our debt.
Nearly the whole debt is now redeemable at the
will Of the State, and if our people could only be
united, so as to inspire confidence in her good
faith, she could borrow money at per cent. to
fund all her per cent. debt.
The rapid growth of the State in population and
wealth will soon put this disturbing question at
rest, and enable us to commence system of d min
ishtng the debt by the agency of the sinking fund.-
and of gradual reduc ion of the rate of taxation.
Within the last year number of large iron fur
naces have been established in Virginia. and others
are in contemplation. Experience has proved that
iron can be produced here cheaper than in any part
of the United States. The rich and album
dantlimestone exists in close proximity, and coal
of the best quality is readily brought to the fur
naces. In less than ten years Virginia will be the
centre OF the producing interests of the United
States.
Our manufacture of other fabrics is increasing
rapidly-especially of woolens and woodward; and
our commercial interests rising ground.
Norfolk is the second cotton exporting port in
the United States, and commercial city is
about to be established at Newport News (the mouth
of James River). A railway from Richmond to that
point will be completed within four months. The
harbor there Is the most spacious, with deepest
water, and safest anchorage our Atlantic coast.
Taking everything into consideration 1 candtdly
believe that Virginia presents attractions
to immigrants than any other state in the Union.
You may make such Of this letter as you chose.
Very truly, yours, &C.,
ALEX. H. H STUART.