Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1892-03-02
NORTH AND SOUTH.

and intercourse between the North
and the South of the American CONT
nent on interior lines, would secure not
only profitable trade between the
States, but would be more far-reaching
and exhibit to the world the greatest
advantages, because of the interests
centering in a system of American In
ternational intercourse by direct lines
| of railroads.
| The largest displays of concentrated
effort, as great systems of railroads have
matured in developing this vast coun-
try, commenced with small interior be-
ginnings This fact we have often stat
ed, and as fulfillment is being realized,
we note the same, with accommodating
evidences of tho correctness of our
theory-no longer theory, but be-
coming positive and palpable reality.
| AS between the North and the South
east of the Mississippi Valley between
the great metropolis of the North and
the more distant, as well as the lower
Lake seats of commerce, and the Gulf
ports, east of New Orleans, the gradual
progress of direct connecting lines of
railways has been slow; but commenc-
ing now, will proceed with rapid
strides OF the lines constructed, or
that can be laid down, the great artery,
passing through the length of our Val
ley, the Norfolk and Western trunk,
formerly known as the Shenandoah
Valley, is ON the shortest, and the most
practicable route. The management
of that great system, of which our
Valley line is a first part, has not only
penetrat ed all the Southwest, but has
crossed the Ohio river, entering the
domain of the central west; and those
who have not watched it's movements
are scarcely. prepared to believe that it
has occupied in three parallel lines di-
rectly southwark from Lynchburg to
Bristol, point on the border of Vir-
ginia, more than two hundred miles,
these vast openings directly south
ward. Penetrating into the interior of
North Carolina and pointing to the
Gulf and southern parts of Alabama,
Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and
North Carolina, are the recently COM
pleted lines of the Lynchburg and
Durham, the Roanoke and Southern,
and the one ON the higher parallel
| from Pulaski in the Southwest, Virgin
la, to Mt Airy, North Carolina. Then
the Great Yadkin Valley systems of
North Carolina now building become
tributaries to the Norfolk and Western,
and are now of the fixed realities.
Putting aside for the present, the
trade between the States, and leaving
| behind for the time being the consider
alton also of the Importance of a new
| great international commerce Just
commencing to develop itself, how vast,
as we view the prospect, do our local
interests boom up in the near future as
we contemplate it.
Staunton, the center, and Augusta
county, a great factor in the Virginia
Valley production of hay and wheat
and flour, to find innumerable southern
markets-the best of all known-and
capable of drawing a new trade to our
doors, is the bright prospect presented
as we cast our eyes to the Southern no.
rizon. Now is the time to push our
Stuart's Draft direct connection-in-
| deed extension of the Norfolk andWest-
ern line to Staunton. Staunton and Au-
gusta county, soon to become the larg-
est exporting center of the home prod
uct in -four, is jewel in our CONNER
cial crown, which all Virginia, North
| Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia,
Florida and Alabama will admire, be-
cause we can send them the best of all
the country, and the richest and the
cheapest first-grade breadstuffs of the
continent. We say to our people this
is no picture of fancy; it is true, and
let us be up and doing in securing the
connection at Stuart's Draft.