The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1888-12-20
The Golden Opportunity.

The Golden Opportunity.
The few facts which we have presented
through the columns of the EIRGINIAN
in its last two issues relating to the mate
rial resources of the county, have awak-
ened an interest in the matter. Thls
was expected. but not to the extent that
has been manifested in so short time.
We were confident that as soon as our own
people stopped to think moment, ano
consulted their knowledge of the diver
sified wealth that exists here, IN a Gead
state. they would with us wonder why
any intelligent man should go elsewhere |
to look for a substantial basis for boom.
When the inexhaustible and diversified |
mineral resources. the splendid agrlcnl-
tural and manufacturing capacities. the
genial climate, the cheap labor, and d. |
rect aud easy access to all parts OF the
country. that are with us. are considered,
where else could be found in such endless
abundance. the elements to enter INTO an
industrial activity that would rival any
other locality in the whole South:
awaited of however. without co operative
effort. Street talk and air castle schemes
will not bring The minerals from the
mountains. Or locate Industrial plants.
Methodlcal plans must be devised; con-
certed effort put in action; organization
effected, and a determined Will mani
tested. to the epdthat boom may be Sc
cured, something practical and. tanglple
inaugurated, and thus effect a basis for
beginning.
We are gratified to know that such
agencies may be orgsniZed-that we'll
planned and intelligent schemes are IN
der advisement, and we hope TO be able
soon to announce that the first steps have
been taken to inaugurate plans for deyel'
opment and improvement that will finally
result in a marvellous industrial activity
in this portion Of the State.
Our friends at Waynesboro seem TO be
somewhat stirred up to an appreciation
of the exceptional advantages they pos
sess for industrial plants and building up
a town of respectable proportions. The
plant as a neucius. With that established
the town lot business can be started, but
don t put the cart before the horse, and
= start real estate craze before there IS
ANYTHING to sustain it. A town cannot be
built up by houses alone. The people WHO
occupy them must have something TO eat
and wear. and they must have work to
earn the wages to buy that something.
The tradesman and merchant must have
wage earning constituency to justify his
venture. So the first and essential thing
TO do is to establish some industry that
will give labor employment. If the peo'
pie would manifest al interest in prolect
of this kind to the extent OF their means
and they should not have enough to carry
it through Others who have the means and
seeing this evidence of their earnestness,
would come to their assistance. The eyes
of the whole n orth are on Virginia. Cap.
ital is looking this way for investment,
and when it is known that there are OPP
portunities and advantages here for the
profitable use of money, it will come. Our
method, with determined purpose and ;
tireless activity. It will not do to take II
all out in talk They have the situation
and the natural resources, and what /:
wanted is co operation on the part OF the
people-organized effort and a purpose Il
succeed
The success of Waynesbor0 would be al
advantage TO the county generally. ant
especially to Stauntcn- 1t would-stir uD
commendable rivalry and bring out th'
latent energies Of the people. We do moi
know what we can DO until we try-untl
we encounter opportunities sand feel tn
necessity of measuring up to them or fail
ure. We have as much natural pride
and common sense as any other people
but they have been permitted to sleep
Ne have looked on and wondered at tn
progress of other localities. and beer
amazed at the fortunes accumulated ant
industries established where there are 10
so many natural attractions as We have
Our young men haye gone away to othe
towns and States. drawn by spirit of en-
Each one has been a serious! loss to tn
State and community. They would glad
ly have remained had there been anything
for them to do. But our people haV
rested contented with things as the
found them when their ,..theiS died
They have lived in the same way and to-
lowed in the same ruts-satisiied Wit
keeping tongue and buckle together at tn
end of the year. They have not reache
out to create new channels OF tTade-ne'
avenues of endeayorto utilize the resource
of nature. and the wealth that bountl
full Providence has located in our mour
tains, and thus make opportunities for tn
Young men to secure employment. W
have been asleep. occasionally waking u
with yawn, because of the faint reyeI
beration of stir and life in some other lC
calities away off in the distance. w
rub our eyes, give stretch OF our slug
gish limbs, remark about boom else
where, aud then go to sleep again. Sue
nexcusable stupidity is a crime against To
laws of nature and society. 1t is pei
version of the mission OF man, and a
abuse of the gifts of Providence, 1t
SHINING against light and knowledge.
We must get out of these sluggish
british ways. We must take step fol
ward-rattle and stir the dry bones, ar
evoke life from them. We have the Ii
tent sense and energy. We must Great
the opportunities to develop and apprC
pirate them, and make them useful. Co
operative effort will do it. Let the curl
stone broker count his occupation gon'
Let the various shaving shops preylng upo
the vitals of community close. Let til
Intelligence which is thus engaged and th
moral sense that is thus blunted, strike OIL
on another line-engage in some projec
that will help our fellow me2-give emplo
ment to labor-create yalues-brng none
to a centre, and lay the foundation TO
some useful industry that will be bene
fit and blessing to community.
1t is our candid judgment that there
not point between the Potomac and til
Gulf which presents more attractions an