The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-04-26

The Virginia newspapers are noting a
reGux OF the tide Of emigration from that
State which set in after Appomattox
and ever since has rolled on in varying
volume. 1t seemed the darkest Of q sue
cession OF dark days for Virginia when
Lee surrendered. A vast battle field for
four years, stripped Of nearly everything
in the nature Of movable property, her
untold sacrifices were unayailing, and now
she was broken and ~disheartened. 1t was
natural that her young men, and some OF
her middle aged men, should be eager Tor a
fresh start anywhere out OF Virginia.
heWes and the Southwest, pointing to
their cheap and fertile lands, made seduc'
tive bids. Here were fortune and adven'
ture on the same road, and the tide flowed
that way. Hardships was to bea romance,
priva,ion a mere variation Of the mono
tony OF financial success. These emigranta
were willing to do anything, dare anything,
that would bring the reward. Many oil
them have done well. 1t is doubtful
whether there is one OF them who could
not not have done equally as well in his
oSn State. Some OF them have not done
30 well as as the industrious pushing onet
who remained behind, and these are turn
ing their steps homeward. This is the
phenomenon to which the Virginia news
papers are calling attention, and on this
rady text they are preaching sermons Of
good advise to the young men
OF their State. The Lynchburg Advance,
taking a sensible view Of the situation, de.
scribes the haIdships, %privations and
countless sacrifices Of pioneer life, and very
~pertinen,Iy adds: ANY young mar in
Virginia, who will 90 10 the rich, cheap
mountain lahds OF Virginia, work and live
the same way, will a more money, and
can each year buy Virginia land, and live
better, have. better health, and when he
gets little ahead, have better society, and
a better chance to invest his money. We
know OF thousands OF acres in Virginia,
nearer to market, nearer to churches and
school, rich, productive in fruit, in tobacco,
wheat, rye, oats or potatoes, adjoining large
mountain ranges for hogs and cattle, but
the difficulty is people will not go to
these places and live and work as they do
m the frontiers OF Texas, Kansas and othtr
new States"
Whatour contemporary so well says OF
Virginia, its rich resources and golden
opportunities, applies with even greater
force to the more virgin State Of West Vir-
ginia. In the natural features Of this State
there is everything to attract the settler.
The farmer, the stocknan, the miner, the
lumberman and the manufacturer find
here all the materials and conditions for the
successful conduct OF their several indus
tries. Lands are cheap, markets near at
hand.
No West Virginian need go away from
his own State to find profitable employ
ment for his capital and his labor. And
both Of the virginias possess advantages
for which new communities in the far
West and the Southwest must wait and toll
for many years. Let ~ young men who
are looking abroad for openings cast their
eyes around on this home land Of plenty
and try fist its promise and its yield. Let
them 20 to work hero as they would in
some remote spot, and with far less sacri.
ace tina outcome will be at least as great.