Staunton Spectator

States, as well as individuals, often allow the golden opportunity to pass unimproved. There is truth in the lines of the "Bard of Avon:"

"There is a tide in the affairs of men,

Which, taken at the flood, lead on to fortune,

Omitted all the voyage of their life

Is bound in shallows and in miseries."

For the people of this Valley there is now a "tide" which, if they act wisely, they will "take at the flood," and it will lead them on to fortune. The golden opportunity is now presented. Will they embrace it? The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company will build a Railroad from Winchester to Salem if our Legislature will but grant them the charter. Will this opportunity to have this great improvement constructed, and to have millions of dollars poured, almost immediately into the lap of Virginia be unwisely, ay, foolishly thrown away? Shall we continue to be pinched with poverty when we have the opportunity to have millions of dollars expended in our midst, and for our own benefit, by capitalists from other States? Shall we sleep like Rip Van Winkle, when others are wide awake, reaping the harvests we ought to gather, or shall we arouse ourselves from the "ignoble supineness in which we lie bound," "shake off the dew drops from our garments,' and press on with energy, combined with wisdom, in the road which leads to fortune? Shall our rich resources remain undeveloped, shall we continue to enact the part of the surly dog in the manger, shall we refuse to grant the charter for the construction of the Railroad from Winchester to Salem? We hope not -- we believe not. We believe the present Legislature will grant the charter. We hope that our delegates will look to this question, and rest not till at least a vigorous efforts be made to effect this object -- a consummation so devoutly wished. If we thought, for a moment, that either of them would hesitate about favoring this project, we would urge upon our citizens the propriety of holding a meeting at our next Court for the purpose of giving expression to their views upon this subject, yet we are satisfied, from our intimate knowledge of the men, and our confidence in their good sense, that they will all vote for granting the charter. By all means, let us have the road.