Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1890-09-19
NEW VOL. 25-NO. 81.

have been sensitive and uncertain! l
cannot stop to inquire into the causes
for these existing facts-some one else
will doubtless perform that task be-
fore this fair is over. This condition
of affairs is not peculiar to us, but TO
every agricultural section, and rea-
sons for it are plain and abundant
The rapid settlement of the great pub
lie domain and the cultivation OF new
and extended areas; increased trans
portation facilities decreasing dis
tance and increasing supplies for
glutted markets whose rapid develop
ment on sea and land has altered eN-
isting conditions of trade throughout
the world; the passage and retention
of class legislation and of iniqultous
laws that bear with heavy hand on
agricultural pursuits each OF these
a subject in itself too vast for this oc-
casion. Suffice for me to say, that
heretofore our advantages have not
been noticed, our agricultural and
mineral resources have not been scru-
tinized. The sweep of emigration,
the tide of industry, some years ago
set westward; their trend was like the
course of empire toward the setting
sun.
The triple sisters, Agriculture, Man
ufacture and Commerce, reaching out
from where the waves Of the rugged
Atlantic sing their hymns 10 the morn
ing, moved swiftly and with eager
rush onward across the high Rockies
TO the slopes OF the distant Pacitic.
The great West, under the pressure OF
this immense and unconquerable tide,
rose suddenly as fairy in the night
to wealth and prominence. The CEN
ire Of population was changed. The
source of competition in all industrial
pursuits came eastward, and great
cities sprang up with marvellous ra-
p;dity. During the period that marked
this sudden growth on the western
slopes our career has been uneventful.
No sudden changes, no rapid develop
ment, no woodworking movements
have disturbed the even and quiet
tenor of our ways. But We have pro-
gressed, not retrogaded; we have in
creased, not diminished. We have
not worked miracles but we have
lived honestly and in comfort. Our
growth, though small, has been GER
tain. not volcanic sure, but not phe-
nomenal.
Within the last year. however,
new era has suddenly dawned. The
tide of activities now trend South
ward. The eagles OF Manufacture,
the birds of Commerce, are seeking
new feeding lands. They wish TO live
under serener skies, where raw ma
terials without the cost OF transpor'
tation are present TO the touch and
the flowers of profit hang in profusion
from the tree Of business life; and
hence they seek resting place in the
valleys of the South. Every breeze
that blows from there brings to us
new tidings of increasing activity.
That favored land arises like strong
man after sleep, and stroking its
sunny locks, attracts the attention OF
a wondering world. Her hitherto
unpenetrated forests resound with
the woodsman's axe. In the bosom
of her secluded wales the hardy miner
delves and brings forth with ready
skill the finest minerals from her ex-
haustless mines. Her hills are grow
ing resonant with the whir OF ma
chinery and the noise Of loaded trains,
and on the faces of her farmers,
hitherto depressed, comes the first
faint dawn OF smile, that is destined
to broaden into the laughter OF pros
perity. This is but the beginning OF
great and glorious era. The current
that sweeps toward the South hath
not yet received the many streams
that trend toward it. In the immedi-
ate future we may expect to expert
ence the fulness Of its power.
There are solid reasons for all great
business changes, as there Is for every
phenomenon in nature. Inexorable
law governs every individual a. well
as every national development.
Three weeks ago when on a visit to
Albany and Troy, In the State OF New
York, | had shown to me their great
stove works, their iron works and the
various industries OF those wealthy
cities. but the citizen OF Albany who
so kindly pointed out those varied
sources Of former prosperity frankly
said: "You see all these manu-
factories, all this busy hive. say to
YOU that their prosperity IS threat
ened; the glory hath departed from
this Israel. We are too far from raw
material, too far from the sources OF
supply. We cannot compete with
the West and South; they undersell
us and they threaten our existence.
We have but one redress, and that is
to emigrate. We mean to come
South. The fat has gone forth, and
we have only TO obey the command
of a pressing and permanent necessi-
ty'
Two great thinkers for the North
Mr.. Sherman in the United States
Senate and Mr. Winans Of View York,
in effect have said that owing to the
great resources Of the South and the
competition Of that section and the
West the only salvation for New
England and the North is annexation
Of Canada