Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1890-09-19

pace.
Like an epidemic in its swift con-
tagion this spirit in varied form hath
seized our people here, and il we plan
with prudence, act in concert and
work with zeal, within the borders OF
this fair domain, that the Almighty
formed and the laws have entrusted
to our keeping, within the old county
of jefferson will dawn brighter day
for all,
Why should ii not be soi
After century OF cultivation our
lands Ietain their primal strength.
In the production OF the cereals, in
both quality and quantity, we stand
the recorded peer OF all. In our for
ests and those adjacent to us yet ur-
touched and awaiting the mechanics
skill are the hard-grained monarchs
OF the shade. Along our eastern and
our northern borders flow two mighty
rivers, on whose swift and ceaseless
| currents not far below us can ride the
navies OF the world and whose wa
| ters as they lave our soil invite trial
Of their powers. Within our noun
! tains and our hills are slumbering ex-
/ haustleSs beds of iron and other ores.
Strata piled on strata OF purest lime
stone turks beneath our soil. Two
! lines OF finished and established rail
ways, the one linking the Eastern
seaboard with all the centres OF the
prosperous West, the other uniting
! the cities OF the North with those on
the shores OF the Gulf, intersect each
other here, and these converging and
competing lines, running North and
South and East and West, place with
in our grasp the products OF every
cline. On our left and close at hand
are the great cities of the East, while
on our left in easy distance Is the
coke and iron and coal and oil OF Penn
nsylvana and the fresher and richer
fields in West Virginia. Versatile In
resources, peerless in climate and un-
surpassed in location, this Is no time
to sit supinely by and wait the COM
ing Of events. With steady grasp we
should seize the hand OF opportunity
and welcome il az an honored guest
into our family counsels.
Ii is pertinent TO inquire what good
will flow from an increase OF popula-
ton and the importation OF new In
dustries Prophecy is not an exact
science. The certain measure OF
course and blessing to be derived
from changing future cannot
be accurately foretold, but with
the eye OF observation and the mem-
ory Of experience we can prohpesy In
part, and in the list OF benefits we
can safely number these: Better wa
ges and more varied employment for
labor: enhanced prices In home
market for our surplus productions;
a greater diversity OF crops TO supply
new and extended needs; paying pur-
suits and permanent situations Tor
our younger men who come to man
! W uhN w sN''~ 80
other States broader fields for the eI-
ercise OF mind and muscle than that
vouchsafed then here; utilization OF
our water-powers that flow unburden'
ed to the sea: revenue derived from
the movement OF our mineral deposits
and their manufacture, which pay
not while they sleep beneath our veg.
etating soil; new life infused into al
channels OF business; increase In the
saleable and rental value OF our
! lands; more money In the pockets OF
our people and greater comforts In
our homes and extended facilities FOR
the cultivation OF our minds. Let me
not extend the list, lest ! weary you
with sweets.
Already much has been accomplish
ed. From Harper's Ferry and Boil
var the incubus Of government own
ership has been removed, and re-
leased from its torpid weight those
! towns have arisen from their ashes.
! On their hills new homes are spring
ing up, and on their water limits the
wheels Of busy machinery are run
ming day and night. From there, to-
wards your pleasant and eDterprising
town. along the winding Potomac,
short lines OF iron rail have reached
the limestones fields and iron beds,
and along the mountain slopes enter
prising hands have planted la nam
moth quantities the peach and apri.
cot Of Delaware, the grapes and VINES
OF France and the fruits OF varied
climes. and on that elevated soil and
on that purifying air they grow with
luxuriant promise. From Charles
town and Shenandoah Junction and
Shepherdstown come tidiDgs OF new
activities. The wheel Of progress has
commenced to turn. Let US all with
one accord and with closer bands nj
renewed fraternity put our united
shoulders to the wheel and insure Its
| swiftest movement
For the welfare OF our people the
managers OF this society have labored
with magnificent results, and In their
name bid you welcome. From the
citizen they need not ask what they
already have, an active and unfalter-
ing cooperation; but the stranger
| whom they greet as guest they
would rejoice to receive rs citizen.
Ladies and gentlemen, let me not
trespass further on your time.
| Originally IL was expected that our
county's gifted son, the Hon. VIII
liam T.. Wilson, would have been
here, with his matcbless style and elo-
auent tongue to entertain and In
/ .-unt A a moor snhsfifufe 4 do MT