davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Big Stone post. (Big Stone Gap, Va.) 1890-1892, 1890-09-05
Observation-Disclosures.

Spectators come to Big Stone Gap and
go away Perhaps they buy a few vacant
lots, and they leave them rs naked as when
they bought them. They do not put Il
brick or stone upon them, nor do they
erect shed. They add not single soul to
the population; but, holding their lots for
a profit of several hundred per cent, they
keep people Of moderate capital away.
They do not add an atom to the productive
industry Of the place. They leave no
trace that they have been here-no foot
step even in the sand.
The mechanic comes and one may see
the results of his presence. He puts up Il
chimney, he roofs house, he paints IL
door, he constructs IL sidewalk, he makes
brick or chiscls stonc-hc does something,
though he may not stay IL week. 1t is by
his labor he lives, not hy specializing. One
NAV see at every turn his handiwork.
Centuries may come and go; he may be
dcad-forgottcn But tracks of his work
rcmain-he has left some monument which
survives him.
Look at the Catacombs and obclisks of
Egypt; the marble portals and ivory Orna-
mcnts, the splendid masonry and silded
ceilings of Pompeii, and the palaces of
the Caesars They have survived conquests,
revolutions, the ravages of barbarians-
even the molten lava from the internal
furnaces of the earth. Something OF
them is left, and here and there they seem
to have almost dcfcd the hurt Of time.
Twenty centuries have beat against them
in vain.
They arc the work of mechanics, not of
spectators.
Then let us bring mechanics among us.
Let lis see that they have comfortable and
cheap houses and good schools. 1t is up
on them We must rely, if we are to have Il
large city, and yet to them the least
thought is given.
1t won't do TO have Il town composed
exclusively of real estate agents, lawyers
and SPECTATORS Let us change our tnc-
ties and attract men of muscle, with fam
lilies whom they must work for and sup
mort, and the sooner we do this the better
for Big Stone Gap and everybody who is
interested in its growth.
The Big Stone post. (Big Stone Gap, Va.) 1890-1892, 1890-09-05
Roach-back Column.
(Modcrn style Of Country Papers. ;,

kMOueTn Htyic Vi Country
We had call from Mr. IIaysee,l, Of Lee county,
who brought lis some superior pawpaws. The lus-
cous fruit melted in lips like female kisses Mr.
IIaysced is the abes pawpaw gatlerer in Lee county
The last member Of our delegation To the Pulaski
would send editorial correspondence Tor this
column but his correspondence did not show up Tie
says it is not the quantity Of liquor that the Roanoke
people drink, but the quality that knocks them out
4 number Of ladies called Oh in sancium and
we're surprised to find bachelor. They en-
pressed great delight III the grandeur Of press
While they present our farmer friend, Mr.. April
cott brought basket OF the most beautiful beans We
have ever seen. We offered To divide with the young
ladies', but they said they preferred bcaux beans
and va felt highly compIimented.
Mr. Robby Playwright, the versatile and gifted con-
trbutor to the local columns Of the Roachown
Gazette, called n few days ngo Mr. Playwright
is graceful Irving-llke writer, and does fine work
on the Gaxettc's local. He Is also the bright
correspondent of the Richmond Dispatch, and
wrote the beautiful report In the last Issue OF
that paper Of the meeting of the honeysuckle
ciation that took place at Ronchown last spring 1t
Is said brother Playwright Ii TO wed Of the
most charming daughters Of Wise county, and We
tender him congratulations, wishing that too
were going to wed,
The Big Stone post. (Big Stone Gap, Va.) 1890-1892, 1890-09-05
Friday, September S, 1890.
A Word to the South.

1t would be difficult to exaggerate the
brilliant industrial prospects which the
South now has. Every report from the
census bureau. every government report
Of the crops, every investigation made
through individual enterprise, only serves
TO enlarge the hope and strengthen conf
dencc in its future.
The cotton crop of 1886 was triae over
six and half million bales. In 1889 il is
estimated Mt seven and half or eight
million bales: and the increase Of con-
sumption is SO rapid that the price con-
tinues to advance.
Other crops have at least held their
own where they have not increased: and
il is estimated that these combined pro-
ducts will bring to this section during the
present fiscal year 81 ,050, 600 600, or $780,
0pO, GOO more than was realized from them
in 1880.
Railroad statistics are not less encOur-
aging. Bonds and stocks in Southern rail-
roads have advanced on all the stock
exchanges where they are listed, and there
is now more activity in railroad con-
struction in the South than in any other
part Of the world.
The following table, taken from the
census of 1880 and 1890, shows the rapid
growth of the Iron industry:
The Big Stone post. (Big Stone Gap, Va.) 1890-1892, 1890-09-05

Let us compare this increase in numbers
with the growth of population in the Brit
ish Islands during the present century.
In Sol the total population OF England
ireland, Scotland and Wales was lo,S96,-
4l2; and in 1881, when the last enumera-
ton was taken. it was about 3a,000OO0.
At present it is about 3S,OOO,0O0, ii the
rate of increase between 1871 and 1851
has kept up.
We see, therefore, that the United
Kingdom, which began the century with Il
population three times rs great as our
own, now enters upon the last decade OF
the century with less than thrce-ffths of
ours The great majority of English
speaking people are in the United States,
and England is going further and further
behind us as the centre of their civilian
ton.
Even if our rate of increase lie not more
than - per cent in decade, this will he
our remarkable growth between now and
1850. as compared with the growth of the
United Kingdom at its present rate OF
The Big Stone post. (Big Stone Gap, Va.) 1890-1892, 1890-09-05


crs favor an internal revenue tax and OPP
pose a protective tariff; and all who do
not give adhesion to the revolution are
denounced ne .tra;tors."
II was appropriate, too, that the person
who first had the ctfrontery to apply this
epithct to those who would not abandon
the old principles of the party for the new,
deserted the Confcdcracy during the war,
went north and became the editor of the
most furious radical sheet in the United
States.
And it is just this reversal of policy
that has kept the democratic party out OF
power and the republican party in. The
founders were wiser than the quacks who
have succeeded them. Had the party adj
hcred to it's principles as fixed in the af-
fcctions Of the masses by our fathers, We
would now have democrat in the White
House and majority in both houses OF
congress.
The republicans have adopted good
part Of the very platform upon which the
democrats won their victories, and, by its
aid, have maintained themselves in power
in spite of Il deal Of unpopular partisan
legislation and the most shameless cor
ruption and misrule. 1t is time demo-
Gratis, particularly Southern democrats,
were going to the fountains of democratic
doctrine and faith to get their inspiration
and not to the cliqucs of congress or the
charlatans that shape our platforms.
At one of the democratic national con-
yentions which met at St. Louis, a sub
committee was appointed to draft plat
form. This subcommittee appointed
Irish and Watterson to write it. Some one
wished to find this latter subcommittee,
and after hunting for some time came on
the party in back room. seated by ia
bic, with a bottle of whiskcy to the right
of Irish and bottle of champagne to the
right of Watterson.
The gentleman entered the room, raised
his hands and said: well, here is Irish
of Iowa, d State that no democrat can car
nv, and Wattcrson of Kentucky, IL State
that no republican can carry, bottle of
whisky and q quart of champagnc-ii
these four are to make IL platform for the
democratic party, God help us"
That is about the size of it. All the re-
cent democratic platforms have been
framed by blathcrskites and bottlcs-ex-
ccpt one, and that was framed by the late
Samuel J. Randall, in 1854, and upon it
Grover Cleveland was elected president.
The Big Stone post. (Big Stone Gap, Va.) 1890-1892, 1890-09-05

REruBLlcANs in the South who are cam
ddatcs for congress, will find the pension
robbery heavy load to carry. The official
estimate for the year ending June Both was
$l09,3I5 600 in round numbers against
$S1 ,000, 900 the year previous. The appro-
priations for this year will be even greater.
The entire cost of the German army of
500, 900 men for this year is sol 100000.
If these pensions were allowed for injuries
sustained in the service, the matter would
not he so bad. But it is safe to say fifty
per cent of the amount will go to those
who sustained no injury at all in the
service, and who saw very little service
except that rendered around wagon trains
and camp kettles.
The Big Stone post. (Big Stone Gap, Va.) 1890-1892, 1890-09-05
NIrginlN Items.

A Northern and Western >yndl
capitalists has purchased the CO.
Glade mountain iron property. p
four miles south Of Rura! Retlcal.
county. This property contain
acres. There is on it three sepera
of good hematitc ore, running fort,
without q break. Price $35 900.
Mrs. b. 6. Terrill, relict ot Il
John Terrill, died at her rcSiG,
Orange county last week, aged ri
years. Deceased was pensioucs
war of 1872.
The contract has been signed
removal Of car manufacturer
which gives employment to 800
from Williamsport. Pa. to Goshen.
A mammoth scheme to erect %
summer resort palatial hotel al
Bridge is OH foot.
a Tennessee Syndicate has pur
for $4,000 the Neill farm of 40 q
Shenandoah Junction, Jefferson
w. Va.
Rev. II. N. Wharton, OF Baltin,
conducting u successful revival f.
in the Baptist church at 0range
House.
The Big Stone post. (Big Stone Gap, Va.) 1890-1892, 1890-09-05
WHIPPED FOR SUNDAY HUGGISG
How the Puritans Treated a Ship Captain.
and How lie Got E:cn.

The following anccdotc gives AZ inter
e$ling insight into the preiudiccs common
among certain people in America in con-
ncction with tie Sunday question many
years ago. The story is told AZ follows III
the Universal Magazine for 10:
Some years ago Il commander OF one
Of His Majcsty's ships of war stationed ut
Boston had orders To cruise from time To
time, in order to protect Our trade and
distress the enemy. 1t happened unluck-
ilv that he returned from one Of his
cruises on Il Sunday, and ~ he had left
his lady in Boston, the moment she heard
ut the ships arrival she FASTENED down
To the waters side in order to receive him.
The captain on landing embraced her with
tenderness and affection. This. a. there
were many spectators by, gave great Of
Tense. and was considered as all act OF
indeccncy and fragrant proclamation of
the Sabbath
The next day, therefore, he was sum
noncd before the magistrate, who, with
MANY severe rcbukes and pious exhoria-
tions, ordered him to be publicly whipped.
The captain stiied his Indignation and
rescntmcn. Is much rs possible, and a
the punishment, from the frequency Of it,
was not attended with any great degree OF
ignominy or disgrace. he mixed with the
best of companv was well received by
them, and they were apparently very good
friends. At length his time at the sta
ton expired, and he was recalled. He
went, therefore, with seeming concern TO
take leave of his worthy friends. and that
they might spend one happy day together
before their final separation, he invited
the principal magistrates and selcctmcn
to dine with him on board his ship upon
the day of his departure. They accepted
the invitations, and nothing could he more
JOYOUS and conviyial than the entertain
mcnt which he gave them
AT length the fatal moment arrived
that was to separate them; the anchor was
apcak the sails were unfnrlcd, and nothing
more was wanted but the signal to get
under way. The captain, after taking an
ailcclionatc leave of his worthy friends,
accompanied them upon deck, where the
boatswain and crew were in readiness to
receive them He then thanked them
atrcsh for the ciyilitics they had shown
him, of which he said he should retain an
eternal remembrance, and To which he
wished it had been in his power to make
Il more adequate return. One point OF
civiitv only remained to BE adjusted be-
tween them, which, as it WAS in his power,
so he meant most justly TO rccompcnsc
them. He then reminded them of what
had passed, and, ordering the crew to pin
ion them, had them brought one by one to
the gangway, where the boatswain, with Il
cat-o-nnc tails, laid on the backs of each
forty stripes, save one. They were then,
amid the shouts and acclamatons of the
crew, showed into their beats, and the cap
tain Immediately getting under way sailed
for England.'
The Big Stone post. (Big Stone Gap, Va.) 1890-1892, 1890-09-05
The Council and the People.

One of the most important considera-
tions that should influence the founders
of II new city. is to exact respect from the
people for its authorities and the laws
they enact When a community, early in
its organization, begins to treat the
officers with contempt and defy the laws
enacted for their government, il is easy to
forcscc confusion and disorder, if not
anarchy.
Some months ago our council passed
All ordinance providing for the removal OF
nuisances from the premises of people,
and imposing penalty for failure to COM
ply with this law.
1t is needless to say this ordinance has
never been enforced The result is that
the air has been filled with the most nox-
ious odors; cutters, streets and back yards
have rocked with rotting ottal; people
have been made sick and some sent to
their graves.
When the question came up for discus
sion in the council Monday night, the
city sergeant said thnt he had notified
the offenders time and again, and that in
some cases they insultcd him and at
others they laughed at him.
Yet, with this testimony before that
body, there was strong disposition shown
to repeal that law, because of its sup
posed severity. and to allow those who
had thus openly defied it, to 60 unpnn-
ished.
1t is not difficult to see the danger to
which this too lenient spirit will lead us.
If persons are allowed to treat with con-
tempt the law in one respect, they will
scorn it in another, and neither ones per-
son or property would be safe under such
conditions. If an ordinance is not to
be enforced simply because some cle-
mcnts in the community choose to defy
it, we had as well dissolve our munich
pal government When u public officer,
clothed with authority by the council, no
tifcs offending parties that they are vio-
lating the law and are liable to fine, and
he is laughed at, it is time that lesson
be taught them. They should be made to
realize at once that the council is not
composed Of children, and that when it
authorizes and directs an officcrto enforce
its DEGREES it will not be driven from its
purpose by the laughter and scorn of
wrong-doers. No law should he passed
without being duly considered, but when
passed, it should be enforced.
That penalties can be enforced to the
bitter letter at Big Stone Gap is shown
by the fact that from perhaps the most
riotous and disordcrly town in Virginia
in respect to law it has become the most
orderly and the most law abiding. In no
spot IN the United States is ones per-
The Big Stone post. (Big Stone Gap, Va.) 1890-1892, 1890-09-05
Our Population.
(rrom the New York Sun,


The Census Office reports the population
of the United States at "a 100000 in round
numbers. That would make the increase
since 1880 about rs per cent, or = per cent
less than between 1870 and 1880, and nearly
6 per cent less than the average ratio OF
increase from 1900 to 1880, with the decade
of the civil war omitted.
Such result tends to bring the whole
census under reasonable suspicion. Bet
ter hygcnic regulations have reduced the
death rate during the last ten years, anu
so great falling off in the birth rate as
the statistics would indicate is not at all
probable. The foreign immigration OF the
decade also has been larger than ever be-
fore. But, taking the enumeration as IT
has been made, We will base comparisons
on its figures.
This table shows the population as OBJ
tanned by the different ccnsuses since the
beginning of the century, and exhibits
the most extraordinary growth in the his
tory of civilization:
The Big Stone post. (Big Stone Gap, Va.) 1890-1892, 1890-09-05

THE Richmond Dispatch shows its usual
enterprise in publishing speech of S. s.
Prcntiss' made some half century ago.
1t speaks we'll of Mr.. Prentiss' effort,
and makes some very fresh comments
upon the gifts of the author. There are
other speeches which our esteemed con-
temporary will doubtless hear about and
ultimately publish. We await with in
terest the appearance in its columns Of
"Wcbster's reply to Hayne,' and Mare
Antonys remarks upon the death of
Julius Caesar We shall he pleased to
learn particularly what our contemporary
thinks of Mr.. Antony's talent rs an
orator, and regret very much that its linz
tied space prevents it from publishing
these and other oratorical efforts and its
valuable comments in the same edition.
Such an issue of the Dispatch would he
quite characteristic, and might well be
preserved as an illustration of the fresh
ness OF its news and its remarkable enter
prise in collecting it,
The Big Stone post. (Big Stone Gap, Va.) 1890-1892, 1890-09-05
tn of the Iron industry:

+Hcrease, 1884.
This table shows an increase of over
400 per cent in the output, Virginia lead
ing even Alabama, and Kentucky being
the only State where there has been de-
crease
These facts speak for themselves. They
IRE full of significance. All the South
has to do is to keep right on. And we
charge her to fling away politics; for by
that sin her very angels fell. Let the
politicians rant over the Mckinley bill,
and tear their shirts at Reeds ruling.
The Force bill is dead and the country is
safe. They told US unless the bill pro-
yiding for the free coinage of silver passed
panic would he precipitated and the ma
ton overwhelmed with woes unnumbcred.
tuted for it has advanced the price of sill
ver will put it on par with gold, and in
crease the profits upon the products we
ship abroad many million dollars. In
stead of the panic they predicted, We have
unparalleled prosperity. Instead Of the
poverty they depicted, We have plenty.
The only measures which have seriously
disturbed us during the present Congress
have been the Force bill and the Pension
frauds. Had the first passed, disastrous
results would probably have followed; but
it is practically dead, and may it never
be revived The robbery of the public by
the pension infamy cannot he too serious
~ condemned Such legislation is worthy
of the most corrupt period of the Roman
Empire, when property was contiScated
and taxes torn from the people to he
divided as spoil among pampcred and
bcsotted soldicry. But let us so on
making cotton and coke and iron and In
dian corn. and thank God we shall suffer
nothing worse from the ruling of Reed
and the bowling of Hoar. A fat man
never dies Of hunger, and it is only the
empty sack that cannot stand upright.
With agricultural products that will
reach 81, 05O, 0OO, 900, an iron product that
will add 5000, 900 more, and English cap
ital and New England and New York and
Pennsylvania manufacturing plants NOV
ing South, we can worry along,'in spite of
the prophesics of the politicians and the
exactions Of pension laws.
The Big Stone post. (Big Stone Gap, Va.) 1890-1892, 1890-09-05
A Bit of Tariff Talk.
A London lisputch saws:

English as well az Irish manufacturers and work
ingInen continue to lc stirred up about the Mckinley
bill ! Vices from Germany state that number of
Saxon end Tluringan manufacturers IRE about to
transfer their entire establishments to the United
States, and their example will he followed by several
British honses, 80 lar, at least, rs establishing
branches In that country is concerned"
This is the correct policy for European
manufacturers to pursue. The United
States will ultimately become the great
manufacturing center of the world, and
the South will even sooner become the
great manufacturing center Of the United
States. If Mckinley bills or anybody
clse's bills will hasten this result let us
have ms many of them as possible. There
are some features Of the bill that are OBJ
jectionable, but there are many others
that will prove highly advantageous to
the industrial interests of :hc South.
1t is certainly less Objectionable than
either the Morrison or the Mills bill. The
tendency of the latter would have been to
drive American manufacturers to Europe,
while the tendency of the Mckinley bills
to bring European manufacturers 20
America.
This is an economic question which the
Southern people should look at from a
purely business standpoint. Neither the
prejudiccs Of the past nor the rant of pol
iticians should be permitted to cloud their
reason or obscure their vision. The ques-
tion should DC studied anew, and every
man with an independent spirit, who can
rise superior to the influence Of tradition
and training, should make up his mind for
bimself; and, having reached conclu-
sion. express it boldly, regardless Of party
preferences and restraints.
Party platforms are the creations of
professional politicians and place hunters,
to whom party principles and prccedents
arc as nothing. 1t Isl place they want. In
tho democratic party they hare completely
reversed the policy upon which it was es-H
isblished. Dir. Jefferson and NJ. Madison
favored protective tariff and opposed
On internal reyeauc tax. The present lead
-
The Big Stone post. (Big Stone Gap, Va.) 1890-1892, 1890-09-05

TIE movement to build new school
house should be supported by every per-
son in the community. Mechanics will
he reluctant TO come here unless they can
educate their children, and without me-
chanics no city can grow. Spectators
never vet made Il live town, while they
have killed thousands. The working
classes form the foundation of every city 5
prosperity, and to attract the working
classes we must have cheap lots and dwell
ings and cheap schools. They naturally
wish their children to rise in the world,
and they know it will he difficult for them
to rise without education. There is not IL
more important matter before the COM
munity at present than the Improvement
of our school system.
The Big Stone post. (Big Stone Gap, Va.) 1890-1892, 1890-09-05


son better protected than here. But If
minor ordinances are not respected, and
those who violate laws are allowed to do
so with IMMUNITY, it will be but short
time before our criminal code is like wise
defcd.
The council owes it to its own dignity
as we'll MS TO the good of the COM
munity to enforce the sanitary laws and to
punish those who disregard them. Sure
~ the members are not playing at legisla-
ton like SO many children, passing ordi-
nances imposing penalties and repeating
them because u few persons snap fingers
in their faces and laugh at their DEGREES.