The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1881-06-02
A Contrast.

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A Contrast.
While the mere professional politicians,
the greedy aspirants for political favors, are
agitating the popular mind about the mel
its and dement's of factions and par
ties, the people are concerning them
selves more about their material interests
and the utilization of the gifts of nature which
have been SO bountifully showered upon
this favored and beautiful Valley. At no
time in its history has the condition of Viz
ginia, and especially this portion of it, been
more assuring or the prospect more cheer
ing. In spite of political disturbances and
the agitation of the public mind upon i'm
aginary differences as to State policy, all
the great interests of the people have pros
pered; the country grown richer, new
wealth been unfolded, and more encour-
aging and inviting future opened up before
us. Political factions and Influences in the
State have had nothing to do with the
great schemes now engaging the energies
ural resources of the Commonwealth
While the leaders of factions and organza-
tions have been necessarily clamoring into
the public ear that ruin must follow the de-
feat of the one and the success of the ether,
the forces have been at work which are to
lift the old State out of her environments,
and place her upon the highway of restored
financial honor and assured prosperity
Capital and enterprise from other States
have advanced to our aid, not by the invita-
ton of politi parties or the agitating pol
iticians who direct them, but by the natu-
raj advantages exposed and the rich prom
Use given of remunerative rewards. Neither
the Re-adjusters nor the Funders have con-
tributed one particle of influence towards
the construction of the various railroads
which are now progressing through the
most affiuent sections of the State and
opening up the riches which are to redeem
and disenthral the Commonwealth. The
success Of neither is essential to this pro-
gress and development. The people, in
deed, have despaired of any benefit to fol-
low the elevation of political agtators to
power, and have taken hold of their own
affairs, determined to encompass by indus
try and application what they have failed
to reach by trusting to partzans.
Throughout the entire length of the
Shenandoah Valley Railroad, reaching
from the northern to the southern limits of
the State, and along the full stretch of the
Richmond and Allegheny Railroad from
Richmond to Williamson, in the western
tier of counties, vast mineral wealth is be-
ing exposed every day and almost continu-
GUS belts of iron ore accommodated. These
properties are commanding attention, and
it is with reference to such wealth creating
sources that the deliberations of the Insti-
tute of Mining Engineers, which assembled
in this place Oh the Both, become important
These gentlemen study the forces which
drive the commercial and industrial enter
prises OF the world. Their discussions and
researches are given to the public withou
infammatory appeals and denunciatory ep-
ithets. The results of their labors are in
the interest of the people-the development
of the material forces of the country and
the advancement of civilization. The con-
trast is striking between the deliberations
and discussions of this body of scientific
gentlemen. directing their minds and ener-
gies to the agenc les which move all the ap-
planes of business, enlarge the range OF
useful industry, diversity intellectual and
manual pursuits and promote the happiness
of the human race and the housing poll
ticians, who wrahgle and squabble over
petty schemes of selfish ambition, regard
less of the peace of society and the welfare
of the people. The one class aims to bene-
fit mankind-the other to secure some mer-
cenary advantage at the expense of the
public good. 1t is in such representative
body as the first class we have named that
the people should feel the deepest interest,
for their researches and discoveries pro-
claim the beneficence of nature and in
yite man to enlarged fields of useful
ness, affecting the present and future gen.
eratiOns, while the latter only foster the
worst pass ions and arouse the most harm
is no ordinary occurrence to be honored
with the presence of a body of learned, ac-
complished and courteous gentlemen such
as compose the Institute of Mining Engi-
neers, and while the subj ects of their dis
cussion may be too technical and abstruse
for general understanding and appreciation,
the practical benefits flowing to the commu-
nifty and the country at large may be fully
comprehended in the methods and the agen-
cies for the development and utilization Of
the hidden riches which abound in our ia
vored Valley.
1t is with infinitely more pleasure that we
congratulate our people upon the sessions
of this institute of distinguished scientific
men in our midst, than if it were body of
wrangling politicians, disturbing the pub
lie peace with their contentious and estrang-
ing friends by their selfishness.