The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1882-11-09
The New South.

IL ii very peasant RELIEF to turn from
the excitement ard contention of partv
strife, which have so engrossed the atten-
ton of the people of Virginia, for the past
few months, to contemp lat ion OF the
splendid possibilities which lie before the
people Of the South, in this industrial
epoch. Never in the history of the nation
has the spirit Of enterprise been so univer-
sally active throughout the limits Of the
country, nor has labor, in all the avocations
of life. been so surely and abundantly re-
warded. In the avenues Of commerce,
science. mechanics and agriculture, the
steadiest energies and the best intellects
of the people are busily engaged. Railroads
are being constructed, factories and fur
naces built, Improvements erected. farm
industries extended and perfected. and in
every channel Of endeavor broader and
more practical ideas invoked. 1t is just
beginning to be known that the South is
the most inviting field for capital and en-
terprise to command remunerative rewards.
Our genial climate, fertile soil, command
ing streams, and vast mineral and agricul-
tural resources, open up fields for every
class OF venture, with the assurance that
we'll applied industry will meet with re-
compense surprising that offered in any
other portion of the Union. The vast rail-
road combinations which are now checker
ing and permeating the Southern States and
linking them with the West and East, OPEN
ing up markets for reciprocal trade. are not
only enlarging the comprehension but
awakening the dormant capacities of our
people. as well as cultivatng better feel
ing and understanding between the various
sections of our common country.
uere in the Valley of Virginia, the con-
struction of the Shenandoah Valley Rail-
road, has exposed more mineral wealth
than was ever known to exist in the whole
Commonwealth. Capital is seeking it, and
the day is not distant when the industries,
which grow out of the minerals we possess,
will be established where they can be oper-
ated to the greater profit. From one ex-
IRENE of the State to the other, continu-
GUS iron belt is known to exist, along the
route of this road, and as an avenue to market
is now secured, the means and appliances will
be forthcoming to convert this dormant
wealth into active values, diffusing their BEN
efits through every avenue of business. The
Valley road, now surely approaching COM
pletion to Lexington, aud the Richmond
and Allegheny railroad, etrating and
accommodating prolific and affiuent coun-
try, will expose still additional RESOURCES
to those which have already been discDv-
cred and draw to them the necessary. agen-
cies for their utilization. Developing mi D.
erals, abundant harvests, and grow ~
wealth in every direction and, withal e
| awakening of the people to the necess y
and Importance of material progress, prd :
Use richly for our section.
One thing which has operated to supprs IS
or restrict the intellections of our people,
is the fact that we have never encountered
opportunities. While in the North and
East and West, vast enterprises, command
ing immense capital and engaging the
broadcast comprehension, have developed
the business capac tiles of that people, we,
of the same parent stock. and by nature as
highly endowed, have been content with
circumscribed spheres of endeavor, operat
ing neither as a stimulant that growth
might follow, nor stirring the energies to
broader grasp of business enterprise. We
have been untrue to ourselves and the gifts
we have, nor measured up to the stature
to which we should have aspired.
But the dawn of a. new industrial dis
pensatiOn is upon US, and we must prove
ourselves equal to its demands and invoca-
tions, or be forced aside to give place to
others holder and drawer in their views and
more ambitious of good than we will have
proved ourselves to be. A new South is
looming up. It's marvellous resources and
SURPRISING attractions must be appropriated
by minds and capacities commensurate
with their importance, or others will grasp
the trophies and revel in their possession,
while we suck the thumb Of disappointment
and bemOan our hard lot.
Tho onorro,1c bt,1lr If tho aU OraUat o