Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1885-12-11
sHEpHERDSTOWN VIVA. FRIDAY, DECEMBER H. 1885,
are enterprising.

are cHtcT pTlslnR.
know of town in northern Penn.
sylvania, located at the junction of two
rivers, the valley of one being one Of
the richest valleys in the State. The
two rivers drain large area OF country
flowing with agricultural and mineral
wealth. Four or five railroads enter
the town from different directions, plen-
ty of water-power can be had at small
expense, and some of the largest coal
mines in the State are within thirty
miles of the place. That town was
started when the country was new, and
it has the best natural location of any
town that Know of; yet it has stood
for years, the same old sleepy place,
with its houses going to decay; and rail-
lying just enough to draw long breath,
and roll over into a deeper sleep.
know of another town with only
one railroad passing through it and in
a very poor natural location. The val
ley in which it is located is narrow,
there is no coal or other minerals near
at hand, and it has nothing natural that
would tend to increase its growth. The
town was started under adverse cireum-
stances, after the country had been set
tied and several large towns had grown
up in the same county. Its inhabitants
were poorer than those of the first-named
place, vet it has pushed ahead and it is
now large flourishing town, having
doubled its population several times
within the past twenty years.
The real difference between the two
places was this: the inhabitants of the
first named town were selfish; they
would not combine together; they
charged enormous prices for land, and
were always pulling against each other.
Each one was afraid that some one would
settle in the town who would start a
business which would injure him and
as for giving a cent to induce manu-
facturer TO settle in their town, It was
out of the question. The people OF the
other town were wide-awake and unset
fish. They were willing to give man
ufacturer a lot on which to build his
factory, and such pecuniary aid as was
needed to build the factory. They would
advertise freely and look out for men OF
means and enterprise, and would work
together in all things. AS reward for
their liberality and enterprising zeal
their lands have increased in value and
business has always been 1ourishing
with them.
How many towns find in Virginia
with the sellishness and laziness Of tie
first-named town; but how few with
the enterppising zeal of the second.
With this year new era has begun in
the history of the South-an era of un-
usual prosperity. The vast tide OF emil
grafton and Northern capital has been
diverted from the "Great West" and is
pouring into the "Sunny South" The
destiny of many southern village VIII
be shaped within the next four years.
Hundreds of factories, foundries, ma
chine shops, &C., will be erected in the
South within the next few years; and
if the villages of Virginia expect TO
profit by any of these golden opportu-
mites they have got to wake up. North
ern men will not invest their money
when they cannot invest it to the best
advantage. If they cannot get land and
water-power at reasonable rates they
will go where they can.
The best way to build up town Is
for its inhabitants to combine together.
If you have water power or mineral re-
sources make it known throughout the
North by the aid of printers ink. If
you find company who want to start
manufacturing establishment in your
town don't charge them all creation Tor
the land and water-power. Give them
the use of the water-power and land on
which to erect their factory. "Cast thy
bread upon the waters, and thou shalt
receive 1t after many days.. is as appli-
cable to the building up Of villages as
it is to the improvement of our heavenly
homes.
In conclusion, will say, men of Vir-
ginia, wake up; encourage all honest
enterprises, and make your State the
Queen of the "Sunny South. Elmer
f.. Reynold, in LduStI idl South.