Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1889-01-09
Appreciation of our Homes.

IS said that a sentiment something like
this is the first expressed by intelligent and
moneyed men who are prospecting with
the view of changing their location, and
who desire not SO much to engage in spec
ulation as to become producers in agricul-
ture and its kindred pursuits. Schools.
churches, the morals of the inhabitants,
climate, and natural resources, all are well
considered, and not last nor least the facili-
ties for travel and transportation have q
preponderating influence in fixing in the
mind of the observer the degree of oppor-
unity he will have for material pursuits
and social advantages. A community
which has placed itself in the front rank,
and in the enjoyment of the advantages re-
ferred to, and has done so, that the greater
blessings attending life may be possessed
il the highest degree, and that
comfort and culture in the first place. need
take no thought of growth and develop
ment, for they will necessarily follow,
because christianity and the perfection OF
our civilization have found their strongest
supports with the people thus toned IN
their progress.
Augusta county can claim with great
pride that it has not been deficient in the
least in filling a good past and present in
securing all that is attainable Oh the lines
above sketched, nor Indifferent in setting
in motion proper efforts for the possession
in good time of whatever is wise and
iudicious and commendable as We look to
the future.
Some weeks since, when writing in sup
port of great economic question, the con-
sideration of which is occupying much of
the thought of the people of Augusta
county, we introduced an old. but wise and
truthful adage as now applied to that chief
interest,-"Not to &c forward is to back"
To turn back when marching on with the
full assurance that a great achievement is
just in view,-one that will be grandly as
ISOLATED with an almost faultless past and
present-was not characteristic OF the
pioneers who settled our charming Valley
and it is not of their descendants.
To make our highways and byways all
that they should be in excellence of con-
venience and safety is purpose indissolu-
bly, associated in its progress with our
existence as community, in all the phases
in which the actions of the people have
been demonstrated. That long record fills
many chapters in history, to which We
should continue to add in all things tend
ing to enlarge the value of our heritage,
aud establish the future in degrees of
progress on scale worthy Of the past.
Having repeatedly stated the fact, that
the County Court, the Board of Supervisors
aad District Road-boards, are prudently
and systematically moving forward in i'm.
proving the public throughfares of the
county under their jurisdiction, it is not
news to tho people to 60 over another
recital of the achievements of the two
years past. They are, however. deeply
interested in looking forward, and prepay
ing for the future. The authorities who so
quickly and satisfactorily effected such
progress, can hardly fail or mistake as
they will carry forward the designs d.
rectly associated in utility and public bene-
fits with all that has been accomplished.
The order of August Court creating a
Special Board of Commissioners to view
the roads and recommend changes looking
to easy grades and preparation for the
commencement of system of Macadam-
izing, was timely and judicious. 1t had
the full and hearty approval of the Com
monwealth's Attorney, who is abreast with
his associates of the County Government in
making this now only necessary advance to
place Augusta in the front rank of varied
development and charging prosperity.
The people of Augusta. in part, are in
the enjoyment of Macadam.roads and know
the many advantages they possess. The
remainder and the greater part also know
Of these advantages, though they do not
possess them; and to secure to all in good
time these public blessings is, as we under
stand it, the object of the movement in
augurated. The people have so espoused
it, aud are its supporters. They are not
for turning back nor standing still. but sre
for pressing forward. Forward, they may
rest assured. the discreet authorities in
charge of their interests will assuredly
move, and will conduct this great interest
to bright and happy conclusion.
There is another consideration in this
forward progressive work worthy Of
thought THE material exists along the
road sides. Almost every adjacent resi-
dent can in one or more ways find oppor
tunity for profitable returns in furnishing
necessary supplies even if he does not
become contractor, which many can do
This work will give employment to labor,
perhaps needing it, and the peoples money
will be spent among the people for the
benefit of the people. The people whilst
thus retaining their money, will at the
same time be building permanent i'm
provement perpetual in its advantsges-s
proud monument of wisdom, economy and
sagacity, as we'll as memorial of the
sacred appreciation we have for our homes
Since the above was intype we have re
ceived "Bradstreet's" of the 9Th instant
and find in it the following, which We
could have adopted to express the purpose
in view when writing. 1t is gratifying to
find ourselves in the same line of thought
on a great question of progress with that
able representative of sound public econo
my. We reproduce the article to which
reference is made:-
SIT has been said that one of the best
tests Of the civilization of a country ia
found In the condition of its roads, and it is
certain that good roads form an indspensa-
BILE adjunct to the highest material pros
perity of a country. This is not only true
as regards the highways of cities or the
roadbeds of vast railway systems. A great
part of the necessary work of transporta-