Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1884-04-12
COMMUNICATED.
HOT-BED OF OLD FOGYISM.

HOT-BED OF OLD FOGYISM.
The Northern Neck of Virginia contains
more old fogies to the square mile than any
other section Of the country in the known
world
While the pioneers of the West are up:
heaving the stubborn turf Of the wild prai-
ries, delving deep in subterranean halls for
precious metals, and constructing railroads,
that like huge arteries throb throughout the
continent, binding cities, townships and
States together in closest union while the
people of the North are developing their
vast coal-felds, Transforming their rocky
landscapes into gardens of beauty, erecting
lines of telegraph that belt the universe, and
building mighty cities and marts of COM
merce; even while the more Southern
States are enriching themselves by the cul-
tivation of cotton and cane, aud the
growing of fruits that will not stand the
rigors of Northern cline, the people of
Northern Neck content themselves with
the Sing song' life and routine OF their
grandfatners, and cling to the customs and
institutions ofye olden time with tenacity
only equalled by the clutch of drowning
SPAR Improvement" is word that seems
TO have been struck from their lexicon, when
they first gained possession of the land and
drove the noble red man from the shores OF
the Potomac; to keep pace with the onward
march of tho outside world they view as Ill
impossibiity since the days of miracles IS
past ; and indeed il is doubtful! whether they
wish to join the mighty concourse on the
| high road to SUCCESS for one OF the leading
citizens of Westmorelana, when asked what
he thought of proposed Northern Neck
railroad, replied that ''if the choice were
left to him, he would have affairs stand as
they did forty years ago." when the only
means of transportation was by sailing ves-
sells"
Now, granting he GOULD have this wish
gratifed, The change would be almost i'm
perceptible, for with the exception of one
or two, third rate steamboats, the travelling
facilities of the country are identically the
same that were in vogue forty, yes eighty
years ago, and so long as this element has
voice in the pow vows of Virginia, the
neigh of the iron horse will never resound
along the classic shores of the lower Poto-
mac, and the fertile valley of the Rappahan-
mock will remain destitute of a well-merited
connection with northern markets.
And why does this phlegmatlc tempera-
ment pervade this region which by nature
is so extraordinarily blessed? The Northern
Neck is possessed Of grand resources, her
farms are easily cultivated and yield album
dant crops when properly titled; there are
large tracts Of valuable timber, which, as
yet, stand untrammeled by the woodman's
axe, md her fishing shores and oyster fields
constitute source of revenue not to be dis
pissed.
1t is owing to the fact that her citizens
hold up their hands in holy horror at the
introduction of anything new" they spurn
the idea of cutting up their plantations into
smaller farms, which would render their
successful cultivation practicable, and when
plan is set a'foot TO benefit them, they i'm
mediately turn on the cold water and it all
ends in old Fogy Fog.
SWAMP ANGEL.
", ,,ril