Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1885-07-22
Stauntott Spectator.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 22, 1885.
NOW FOR THE WORK AND ALTOGETHER.

"WEDNESDAY. JULY %, 1886.
NOW FOR THE WORK AND ALTOGETHER.
Progressive action meets the discussion
of the subject as it advances in the minds of
the people. Each succeeding week increas-
es confidence in the propriety of railway
connection between this city and the north
western interior. An enlarged prosperity
through its fundamentally is SO apparent,
that the work should be settled conclusion
at the earliest day it can be commenced
The committee to engage in the prelimina-
~ work, of which there is much to be done,
has been appointed. In free conferences
among the friends of the scheme when the
President of the Merchants and Manufac-
turers' Association was not present, it was
unanimously agreed that Mr.. Cochran must
be prevailed on to serve on the committee,
and accordingly he was placed on it without
his knowledge. This statement of facts is
due to him. The committee, as constituted,
gives an earnest expression of the impor-
lance of the matter to be Investigated, and
imparts full confidence to the interior coun-
try interested and to the public
We have not, from the inception Of the
scheme, nor will we till the conclusion of
its practicability is reached, advocate any
other than the most cautious measures in
determining the course of action this city
should take, for, with prudence and strict
regard for the future, should the policy be
marked out.
Confidence is strong expression. Where
resources exist its application to them will
develop and mould them into great results.
In the particular matter under considera-
ton, we have the highest evidences of actu-
al dormant wealth, which, if developed,
would justify more Texpensive improve
ment than the one contemplated. The
continued growth and enlargement of the
prosperity of the chief town of the Valley,
developing and handling an inland COM
MERGE, stable in its nature, and more in
wiling than Oriental wealth-to build here
manufacturing industries and widen the OPP
portunities to domicil! increasedipopulation,
are but the opening avenues to the grand
future which is in reserve if we can utilize
our resources.
More than fifty years ago, an eminent
citizen of Pennsylvania made tour through
a large portion of Virginia as it then exist
ed. When viewing the same land of which
we write to-day, he felt himself constrained
to address the then Governor of the State,
Littleton Waller Tazewell, a lengthy COM
munication in relation to what he saw,
with valuable suggestions for a future pub
lie policy. In that communication are the
words we quote: ri turned westwardly
from StauntoD, crossing the mountain at
Jennings Gap.
| do assure you, sir, that though my antic
ipations were far from being meagre, was
astonished at the vastness and variety of in
teresting objects in that department. of nat
ural history, that wero constantly develop
ing themselves, inviting the mind of man
to reflection, and his hands to industry,
and displaying at every step the wisdom
and beneficence of the Great Creator"
Fifty years of progress in opening I'M
proved channels of communication between
that country and Staunton, has resulted
only in building the Parkersburg Turnpike,
which was done shortly after the learned
Pennsylvania wrote. Is it so, that there,
in almost primitive grandeur, is still the
land with its forests, its wide, silent, and
;af, rhod of s. IL
neficence, imploriag "the mind of man to
reflection and his hands to industry Pr
Yes, it is all there. 1t has had the earnest,
hopeful, toiling waiting and watching"
efforts of the inhabitants who have, though
shut out as they are from the busy world,
made much valuable progress. The long
mountain sides and the pretty green valleys
furnish so many evidences of the thrift and
energy of the population, that under all the
difficulties of the situation continue to dem
onstrate at each decade their pluck and
their multiplying values which come by toll
and industry.
Trade-intercourss and social relations
have united the PEOPLE of that country
in interest for all the future with this
city. They have willingly, may we not say
heroically, by a liberal payment of their
money, endeavored to place this fair land in
association with the business and CONNER
cial centers of trade elsewhere, because of
fels came to them for that purpose, only to
realize bitter disappointment. Confidence
they will have, in unlimited degree, when
ever this city shall hold out an open and
welcome hand of assistance. They have
done all they could do as the prospect was
then opened to them, but for new effort
and in another direetion-that with this
cty-it is already an assured fact that a
new inspiration will awaken them to re
newed efforts. In union with the active
discrimination of Stanton, they will be in
full accord, and under the quickening
effect of mutual confidence and assoc-
ated counsels, both country and town will
move forward to the realization of that des-
tiny SO ardently desired.
Mr.. J. K. Campbell, now Proctor of the
Universityof Va, was for several years Su-
perintendent of the Public Schools of High
land county. When serving as such, he wrote
clear and interesting descriptive sketch
of the county, giving its history, topogra-
ply, resources, products, &c., and, to accom-
pany it, drew an accurate map of the coun-
ty These documents have been forwarded
to Major Hotchkiss, who will have the map
engraved, and both will appear in the next
issue of The Vuginias. We have read the
sketch, and examined the map, and regard
them, at this time especially, of great val
ue, when such carefully compiled knowl-
edge will so much help to correct conclu-
sion on the part of the committee in the in
vestigaton to be made. In publishing these
documents, Maj. Hotchkiss, so well quail
fed, by scientific knowledge and personal
observation, to do justice to the physical
resources of the county, will accompany the
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