The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-09-08
iron and steel has dawned upon us. and
your magnificent structure, whose open
ing we commemorate today marks alike
It's existence and its triumph.
WHAT THE IWIDGE SAYS.

us existence and its triumph
WHAT THE IuIDGE SAYS.
ut Is noteworthy event the opening
at kadford OF this steel bridge. 1900
tect long, over IS feet high and span.
ming New river from Radford to Pulaski
county, and costing 5000 every cent
being contributed by private enterprise.
IL opens not only river but an era, and
1t tells many tales. 1t tells of the skill
OF the American architect and artisan,
tor 1T is highly crcditable to the Ameri
can Iron Works, Of Roanoke, where the
bridge was constructed. II tells OF tho
comprehensive and liberal movement of
american enterprise, for it is public
boon, levying no tax or toll as public
tribute. 1t tolls OF the spirit Of tho age,
which builds monuments of industry II
tclis OF the marvellous growth. wealth
and we'll directed energy of Radford, an
infant Hercules, not yet four years old
by calendar count, but already strong in
numbers and in wisdom.
1t tells still another tale-that YOU
know great future awaits you, and go
forth with confident manly hearts 10
geet and grasp it, undaunted by the
transient depression of fiscal affairs, and
determined to demonstrate the sur.
vival OF the iittes5.
1t tells of the union OF Northern cap
ltal with Southern opportunity. of the
union Of Northern and Southern men in
business and in social bonds not easily
broken. This is the kind of union that
dement's nation.
THE DEER EssIoN AND IT'S CAUSES.
The present year has been ono o..
financial depression in many quarters
Money has been tight, boon have
withercd and tho financial mariner has
reefed his sail. The causes OF this de-
preston are not difficult to penetrate.
a great collapse in the Argentine Con.
federation Of paper credits involving
great English houses caused English
capitalists to throw American securities
on tue market to get money. Russia
was boarding gold Our money market
was already tightening, for with the
national banks retiring their circula-
ton, with vast acoretions OF population
and business, and with no elastic finan-
cial system the per capita OF money was
lcssening, while the per capita demand
was increasing. That we have escaped
ultra panic and bankruptcy is due to the
y-mindedness and wonderful en-
crgy and capacity of the American peo-
pie. That we will soon be again on
tho highway of prosperity, | do not
doubt, if a wise sta ,csmanship and dis
Greet methods shall guide u.s."
THE SITE OF RADFORp.
The Senator said he had faith that
thriving city would rise upon the
site of Rauford before it oven took it's
name, or tho first impulse was given to
tho development of the little village of
Central" which was its nucleus Years
ago he was looking at Il map of South.
west Virginia with friend, and said to
him: "Thcre at Central is a spot which
is destined to become Il great manufac-
turing town." lilo had como here and
was on the eve of investing little
money he had in anticipation of the
future. lie was diverted from doing so,
unfortunately for him, and must con.
sole himself with the reelection that he
was ono Of the prophets of Radfori. if
not ono OF its bencficiaries. lie pro.
ceedcd to speak in detail of the advan-
tages aad resources OF the town. and
tho Southwest generally, and predicted
a brilliant and prosperous future for
this section. lie dwelt for some length
upon the fertility of the soil and the
varied resources of this region
TIE NORFOLK AND WESTERN.
Whata moving spirit the great Nor.
FOLK and Western railroad has been in
the upbuilding of this section. In 1852
1t commenced It's career, and it has ac-
complished wonders of DEVELOPMENT all
along its line. and its line is stretching
out into new territories and adding
enormously to the traffic, the manu-.
features and the material prosperity Of
Il vast region.
FUTURE OF THE SOUTH.
The Senator read from Superintcnd-
ent Porter's census bureau reports to
show that the South was fast becoming
Il great and prosperous manufacturing
section and said it WAS a proud record
OF Southern resources, vitality and pro-
ductivcnoss. In such facts as these the
Stars Of Empire CLEAN. In 1893 tho
navies Of tho world Will assemble in
Hampton Roads, of Norfolk, Newport
News and Fortress Monroe, preparatory
to grand review at New York, inau-
gurating the exposition at Chicago.
They will therefore behold tho seat of a
coming commerce and industrial move.
mcnt that will tell tale OF progress in
the next census as wonderful as any
page in the history of the New South.
The secret of the great economic
change that has come over the South
lies in nutshell. 1t possesses tho rich
est and most diversified supply Of the
staple raw materials. 1t has begun on
vast scale to manufacture them where
they can be manufactured cheapest
that is, at the mine and in the field and
forest that produces them. 1t will
henceforth give employment to millions
of skilled artisans. 1t will henceforth
employ only the most improved meth
DDS of production. It's industries will be
moro diversified than those of any other
people. Under its genial skies, on the