The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1892-03-24
The Golden Opportunity


The Golden Opportunity.
Clifton Forge furnishes an exception |
to the stagnation that prevails over all |
the new towns of Virginia. The very
inclement winter-one of the most yaria
BILE and trying, we have experienced for
many years-has not prevented improve
ments from progressing here; nor has
the stringent condition of the money
market had the effect to discourage eff
fort or para.yze energy. OF course ii
has to some degree affected progress but
with limited means and stagnation in
every other direction, our people have
pushed right along, building and i'm
proving to an extent that is really sur
prising. when the situation at other
localities is considered. Up to the pres
ent time, there has been nothing in the
weather condition to encourage enter
prise, and if all Improvements had been
arrested it could not have been taken as
an Indication of depressed state OF the
public mind The influence of tight
but it has not shaken the confidence OF
the people here and elsewhere in the
splendid future that is promised Clifton.
We know that there is plenty of money
in the country for the Purposes of bust
ness of every kind, but there are times
when distrust and want Of confidence
become contagious, and no argument or
appeal Cali ameIiorate or change it. The
feeling has to run its course, like any
other epidemic or disease. 1t cannot
be cured by any specific yet discovered
1t must exhaust inself. When that step
is reached and the spell of apprehension
removed, then there follows a revival.
The mind begins TO act-the nerves to
strenghten-the pulse to beat quicker
and coming in contact with material
things and business conditions, they be-
gin to move, until means and energy and
opportunity combine to stir to activity
and plan and execute for the benefit and
building up of a community. Oar emo
tional being is so related to nature, that
we could not, if we would, resist the in
the rays of the sun soften and mellow
and the birds begin to MARBLE forth theii
songs of praise and gratitude and the
buds begin to form and burst, the flowers
and foliage to put forth. and the earth
to resume her carpet of verdure, oul
mental and physical being assumes new
tension and presses to respond to the new
demands which the season imposes. We
cannot check the impulse to DO The
faculties and energies spring to tbs
field of action; distrust gives way to con
fidence; sioth to action; and thus il
forced from it's hiding place, the agen1
of commerce and trade and business
which was never designed to be inactive
but should always be in motion to pro
mote and consummate the essential OBJ
iect of commerce and civilization.
These general thoughts apply to al
persons and to all communities. Wher
the natural advantages and opportuni
ties are present, the means will be forth
coming to avail Of them, either soone
or later. If men have confidence il
will be commanded to demonstrate it
And VIXEN the first steps are taken il
the direction of improvement, then fol
lows the rush until stir, and push, ant
activity become the rule and sloth anC
inactivity the exception.
We have reached that condition her
now. We are entering upon the season
ofmotion and venture. We have every
thing to encourage the spirit that it in
Yites, and the promise of rich reward TO
the effort that may be put forth. w
are to have an active spring. The i'm
provements that have been made durin:
the winter, and those already projected
ere the spring has fairly opened, war
rant us in the conclusion that Clifton i
to forge ahead this year, and give assur
ance of the great future that has beer
predicted for her. We know we hav,
the pluck here to take hold; the brain
to direct, and with these the essentia
means will come to complete the con
ditions, necessary for the work befor,
us. Of course there are croakers an(
kickers, but they are found everywhere
Communities would not be complete
without them. They make up the de
versity necessary to constitute society
but generally they only stimulate the
live people to renewed activity ant
firlner purpose to accomplish the worl
that invites them to dare and to do.
What a spirit of enterprise would pre-
vail in Clifton if every man would vii
with every other man to do his best tx
make this red letter year for the town
The first thing essential to this now
would be unanimous vote for thu
amended charter on the 18th of April
Then would follow the plans and pro
jects for improving and identifying thu
city; private enterprise would supple
ment public acts, and there would bt
inaugurated period of progress an(
prosperity never before realized in this
part of the State.
The people have their future in theil
own hands, and it is left with them to say
whether they will measure up to the de-
mands of the hour, Or filter away an
opportunity that neglected now, may
not be offered again for years to come
What 1t'Means.
The Hill men of New York say that the
nomination of Cleveland by the Chicago
Convention for President, will be tanta
mount TO the surrender of that State to
the Republicans. The Cleveland men
have the same effect, and each claim