Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1885-03-18
Stauntorl Specialize.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH IS, 1856.
OUR INDUSTRIAL INTERESTS.


ton has been entered, characterizing it as
a scheme favoring personal and political
interests. but no such thought has had
lodgment in the minds of the people who
have concurred in the movement, nor will
il be countenanced, should any SO desire to
influence the deliberations of the represent
atives, who hold their creden tials for en-
tirely different purposes. Indeed, the mat
ter is not worth the reference made but it
is due to truth and the Importance of the
occasion to disown any object unworthy of
the people of Virginia when uniting in
consultation upon our chief interests; that
we are not and should not be actuated by
motives of mere personal gain.
This convention foreshadows hopeful
SIGNS for future and permanent good. Its
object is to lift dependency to the level of
brighter prospects, and to Danish gloom
from new start in the march of material
progress. There has never been a period
of trial in the history of the State when
her sons were not equal to the emergency,
and they have but to exercise the powers
of mind and energy with which they are
blessed, under steady and patient en-
durance, to place the old Commonwealth
again in her former fields of progress,
from which she was stricken down by no
delinquency oil her children.
Without party bias we can state de-
plorabe fact, because it is hurtful to the
al, IF al
lions and the Generalization resulting
therefrom retard the restoration of our in
dustries But with that drawback, which
hangs as perpetual burthen upon our en-
ergies, the producing interests may have
reached the last of the class of chief OBJ
stacles which have to be overcome in striv-
ing for restoration.
New institutions and new fundamental
regulations cannot be made to work well
in short time, nor will many years OF
ceaseless effort witness success i'll establish
ing them. Virginia farming for the last
eighteen years has been required to start
anew-under new methods in an OLD land
which but few, if any, could make practi-
cable without experience. Experience is,
however, always profitable when properly
applied. Desire for success and gradually
earned experience have not been idle, and
we hope brings us near the end of difficult
ties. which were sown broadcast as history
recorded the sudden disruption of social
relations in the South.
There are difficulties yet to overcome in
making our land yield the values with
which Heaven has blessed it. May we not
hope that IN the efforts we are now deyoting
to this paramount object our part in the Sc
curement of bountiful blessings in future
years shall be abundantly realized-that
restoration, development, and improvement
shall be ours? Relying properly upon our
own energies, and inviting and welcoming
all who will come and abide with us and
share our fortunes, we shall greatly rejoice
in that prosperity which crowns every eff
fort with pleasing realization.
Under such circumstances, convention
of Virginia workingmen will assemble.
They know we'll the many subjects with
which they have to deal, and the care and
reflection they must exercise in disposing
OF them.
The tribute which our farming interests
have paid to the manufacturers of agri-
cultural implements and fertilizers has
been too large. Stupendous wealth sud-
denly acquired and in large measure
gained from producing sections which can
not stand such heavy drains upon the small
profits Of staple crops, will, in the end, if ii
has not already, have the effect to seriously
threaten the prosperity of the manufactur-
ing interests upon the scale they have been
conducted. The excessive charges paid fol
these indispensable agencies have retarded
our progress in agriculture, and the wonder
is, that so much has been accomplished
under all the circumstances which surround
us. The two interests should be viewed as
associated, not separate. Mutual recogni-
ton upon an equitable basis, with fair ad-
vantages of profit to both, will make a
more enduring prosperity for each than the
policy which has been pursued. Over-pro-
uuCblOu III Liz OIlC5 anu IObdlOOu SiOWuh
in the other, have contributed to the trade
depressions now brooding over the land,
from the horrors of which we are endeav-
oring to escape.
Virginia, in every locality, is blessed with
the natural advantages which invite earnest
labor to profitable rewards. In addition to
the cereals and the grasses, tobacco culture
and manufacturing generally, we can add
large advantages in live stock raising, fruit
growing, vineyards. and wine-making,
orchard products. and dairy pursuits.
Mining and iron making are ours by right of
inheritance. Our forests are rich in varied
wealth, and all pursuits which elevate man.
hood and improve the age, can find lodg
ment for good within the limits of our do
main.
This is the field sketched in few words
upon which the earnest men of the State
are now about to take new survey. They
meet in fraternal council, composed of
farmers, planters, manufacturers, and all
engaged in developing our resources, to rea-
SOC together, and to know why and where
fore we are not prospecting as we should
by ascertaining the causes and applying
the remedies, they hope to accomplish much
towards advancing all our interests on the
highway of enduring prosperity.
New SENATOR OF MISSISSIPPI. -The
Bait. Sun says, in the appointment of Gen.
L. G. Walthall to succeed Mr.. Lamar as
United States Senator from Mississippi,
Gov. Lowry has done well. Next to Mr..
Lamar, Gen. Walthall is regarded as the
ablest man in Mississippi. The outgoing
and incoming Senators are strong personal
friends. Gen. Walthall is native of Rich
mond, Va, and is "a years of age. He has
lived in Mississippi since seven years of age,
and ranks among the first lawyers of the
South. He served with distinction in the