Valley Virginian

Ever since Virginia was settled she has held a proud and pre-eminent position on this Continent. There is an interest attached to Virginia and Virginians which no other State or people enjoy. It was Virginia who gave a "Father to his Country" and a Henry to the great Revolution. Her Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence and developed the true principles of Republican Government in her Bill of Rights. She furnished the line of Presidents, Soldiers and Statesmen who made the United States what it was before the wars. She was the "back bone" of the Confederacy during the war, and the talent and genius of her sons have given laws to other States. In her princely generosity she has given away an empire and peopled it with her children. Alas! that some should have returned to stab her in her desolation and distress, while others aided her enemies, in the Halls of Legislation and at home. Still, with all her faults and absence of selfishness, or rather suicidal domestic and foreign policy, she stands to day--despoiled, robbed, divided as she is--the first State and people on this Continent, socially and morally, with her material wealth but half developed, and her future full of promise. We have already alluded to the influences that have heretofore forced her children away from her, and made her the "Mother of States." This is a proud title, but bought at too dear a cost. These causes no longer exist, and our planters and farmers have but to take hold of the work before them, with energy guided by their known common sense, to make Virginia not only the "Mother of States," but the State of the Continent. They must no longer force their sons to seek, in new and hostile States, the position their talents and energies justify them in claiming at home. They must divide up their farms before a "Butler" or a "Stevens" does it for them. As the "boy" becomes of age give them a hundred or two hundred acres on the "old place"; build him a house, stock the farm and help him along. This "boy" may have led men during the war and hates to be living on the "old man," or working on "board wages." He wants a little place and a wife of his own; he wishes to be independent and rely on himself. If you start him, he will soon show that a "little farm well tilled," for one's self, can be made as profitable as the whole place, under present management, He will be a good citizen, a worker, and a comfort to you in your old age--and he will build up our old State, instead of the 'Great West.'

And don't stop with providing for your own "boys." Look around in the towns and villages, and on other farms. You will find honest, industrious, but poor, young men, marked all over with noble scars, received in defence of your big landed possessions; others with a wife and little ones, living from hand to mouth, on the meagre and uncertain wages of trade. Take them by the hand, sell them a little place at low rates and on ample time. Give them the aid of your credit and advice, and in a few years they will work you out of your troubles, increase the value of your still large estates, and form the most intelligent and prosperous body of small farmers the world ever saw. This requires exertion, and a seeming expense, on part of land owners now, but the consciousness of duties well done and the actual enhancement of the values of what remains, will more than repay you for all you do. Don't say "you can't;" don't look over your thousand acres and selfishly hug to your heart the delusion that you are 'a wealthy man,' and must keep up a big show, but learn wisdom from your empty pockets, and be men worthy of Virginia's past renown and her mighty future.

We have, more than once, spoken earnestly about the causes that led to the war, and the triumph of the Northern or free labor idea, over the Southern system. That system had much influence in forcing our young men to leave home, but it is crushed out, forever, and we must adapt ourselves to "the situation" as it stands now. "Free labor" fought for this magnificent country and it is coming to settle here, and that sooner than we expect. The petty political troubles and excitement, of to-day, will soon be over and, then, such a tide of immigration as will pour into the South was never before seen in the world. We look upon it as certain and hail its coming joyfully, for it will adapt itself to our social life, and settle the negro question, while the effervescing froth, at Washington, is bubbling over it. Every indication North, and in Europe, goes to prove what we say. They are coming to make their homes here. Democrat, Radical, Yankee Soldier, German, Irish, all will soon be upon us, and it behooves us to be prepared for this new invasion, by preparing our children, and our young men, to meet the "Spirit of the Age" on equal terms. We must mould this mass to our purposes, as we can, if the property holders of the South will act up to the requirements of the occasion.

In this connection we would suggest a "Land Owner's Association," composed of the property holders, farmers and planters of the State, or of the Valley. Let it be regularly organized and have for officers the best practical talent available. Let each member contribute so much land, to be sold at reasonable rates, and make it the duty of the officers to settle good men, natives and foreigners, upon it. Then let the Association send agents to Europe, not Humbugs or Speculators, but men like J. B. Scherer, of Staunton, who has earned the confidence and respect of our people by 27 years of honest effort among us. His native State, Baden, cultivates the vine, wheat, oats, korn or speltz, (a grain similar to our wheat, but having three grains to each hull and producing from 40 to 50 bushels to the acre. It makes the finest flour, and only requires an additional "rolling mill" to roll it out,) fruit of all kinds, tobacco and fine stock. The climate is somewhat similar to ours, but not so favorable. Mr. Scherer could influence the right kind of people to immigrate, and we know he is identified with us, by every tie that binds man to a country. M. Blout, John Shutterly, Christian Staubousch and numbers of others, who are part and parcel of us, could be used by such an Association in the same way. Honest, intelligent foreigners, like them, can be found in every County in the State. But our article is long enough for to-day. Think over what we suggest and give the public the benefit of your thoughts through our paper. This question is the one of the greatest moment now, and every man should give his mite of thought, as well as of land, to aid the common cause.

We have frequently noticed the desire Pennsylvanian people had to locate in our Valley, and our readers will recollect the party we reported under the head of the "Rebel Valley." Mr. B. Y. Hamsher, editor of the Chambersburg, Pa., Valley Spirit, was one of the party, and in his paper, of the 26th ult., gives an interesting account of his trip, and promises his readers "some general observation of the country &c." We hail this as a good omen for the future of our Valley, and will look for the article with interest, knowing that all that is needed to secure us capital and labor, is a truthful representation of our county, and people, to the North. Mr. Hamsher fell into an error about the battle of New Market.--Stonewall Jackson was killed before it took place. Breckenridge, Imboden and the Cadets, of V. M. I., whipped the "boys who fites mit Seagle." Speaking of their stay in Staunton, he mentions the American Hotel and Col. O'Ferrall, in the most complementary manner, and continues:

"Staunton is a handsome, thriving town, of some six thousand inhabitants, surrounded by a succession of high hills, which completely overlook the place, giving it a most romantic and picturesque appearance. There are many fine buildings in the town and we noticed many evidences of energy and business activity among the inhabitants. It is located on the Virginia Central Railroad, running to Richmond, which makes it a trading point of considerable importance. The State Lunatic Asylum and Deaf, Dumb and Blind Institution are both located here, and are said to be the finest institutions of the kind in the country. There are about six hundreds inmates in both institutions at the present time. The buildings immediately adjoin the town, are large and elegant structures with spacious and handsomely ornamented grounds attached. Augusta County is one of the largest, as well as one of the richest counties in the State. The land is somewhat more rolling than that of the counties through which we had passed, but equally as good, if not superior.

The Chronicle, after showing there is no excuse for the policy of the Radical party, says:

There is absolutely no sentiment of justice left at all where the whites of the South are concerned; the forms of fair dealing are not even observed. As witness the giving over the South to the control of the negroes, when a Northern community will not tolerate even a handful of the same race; as witness the obstacles thrown in the way of registration in Richmond for the purpose of intimidating the whites; as witness the remarkable excitement about a July session of Congress in order to amend again, or begin anew, the scheme of reconstruction in the South--at a moment when we were quietly and laboriously carrying out in good faith the harshest conditions ever imposed on a decent people. Add the cry of confiscation, and the well-understood purpose that if any Southern State complies with the terms of the Reconstruction bill, that compliance will not be availing, unless the blacks of the South are at the same moment given the control of State affairs.

We do not mention these things to make any fresh complaints of them. We comprehend the situation. We know that the Republican Party have determined to break down all opposition at the South--and to make it contribute to the strength of the Republican Party.

From this conviction there is a practical thing which the South might do that would improve its treatment. One cause of the violent course of the Republicans towards the South is the constant irritation kept up at the North by the Democratic party. The Northern Democratic press, for the campaigning purposes, keeps up a perpetual hot fire against the Republicans--advises the South to resist negro suffrage and the Reconstruction bill, calls on us to become martyrs, &c. &c. &c. President Johnson gives countenance to this party, and by some ill advised interference, from time to time, stirs up from his wakeful naps the Radical monster. There is in short a regular war of bitter words going on all the time between the two Northern parties, and the Southern whites are identified in the Northern mind with the Northern Democracy, who pretend to champion our cause. What is the consequence? The lash falls incessantly, and at intervals the screw is given another turn. The idea is we must keep these Southern Democrats well under the foot, or they will rally and co-operate with their Northern allies. That is the train of thought.

We therefore do repeat what we have already frequently called attention to; that the first step, for the Southern people to take, is to disclaim all connection with the Northern Democracy. We have not one particle more respect for the Northern Democracy than we have for the Republicans. They got us into troubles, and basely abandoned us. And they are doing us infinite injury now by obstructing the settlement of reconstruction. They use us merely as so much political capital, and are no true friends. But whether friend or foe, they have no power--and are a perpetual nuisance.

We have got to make terms with the Republican party--they are the Government; and will be for a good many years.

Now let us, in public meetings, lay it down that we do not intend to act with the Northern Democracy.

We shall now make our position clear by adding that we (individually) are not going to the Republicans. A great many people are; a great many respectable people who act chiefly from considerations of policy are; we are not. If the Republicans will treat us properly, we will, in the Federal elections, vote for the best man they put up; but we shall not join the party.

Policy suggests that the Southern people go over to the Republican Party in a body--that all of us call ourselves Republicans. But we do not see how any conscientious man can describe himself by a name which is not true; we do not see how any Southern man can put on the livery of the Republican party without losing his self respect.

But the thing is going to be done by a great many; people do not reason nicely; oaths, names, emblems are barriers of straw where a powerful inducement draws a man on to break through them--Charlottesville Chronicle.

Staunton, June 20, 1867.

We may as well admit the fact, that our good neighbors of this attractive mountain "city" are greatly in advance of us "fogies" in Harrisonburg, with all our enterprise, all our industry, all our activity of movement. A few days most pleasantly spent here looking around, as "a snapper up of unconsidered trifles," have satisfied us that we must quicken our momentum if we would not be left behind Staunton in the race for material prosperity. The beneficial effects of a railroad upon the fortunes of an interior town are here seen. The business men, the merchants, the tradesmen, the shop-keepers, have all the airs and manners which attach to important centres of trade and commerce. Whilst, however, our neighbors of Staunton are ahead of us in population, enterprize and in some other elements of material prosperity, yet it is undeniably that a very large amount of their business success is mainly attributed to their intimate connection with us. The upper part of the great county of Rockingham has been pouring her exuberant resources directly into the laps of the enterprizing business men of Staunton. The business done at the railroad depot in Rockingham flour, corn, bacon, butter, etc., is very great indeed. With the completion of our railroad (no longer a matter of doubt and uncertainty,) this tide of material life will flow into Harrisonburg, and we, too, shall grow rapidly and steadily. To show how Staunton is growing, even as "a way station" on a railroad, (not as the terminus of a great line of railway as our own modest town is destined soon to be,) we may mention that she is spreading her arms in all direction. West of Staunton, there is a very marked air of improvement every where to be seen along the lines of the railroad. There are sixteen or eighteen new dwellings of recent erection between "the city" and Pointsville, an unpretending little village just beyond the limits of the corporation, whilst there are thirty-four new houses now going up in town. Many strangers are seeking localities near Staunton for the purpose of pitching their tents in this beautiful portion of our lovely Valley.

A strange interest, too, attaches to this interior "city" because of those great State Institutions, the Asylums for the Deaf & Dumb, and Insane, which are located here. The Insane Asylum is well and favorably known throughout the United States as one of the best institutions of the kind extant, whilst its twin-sister, the Asylum for the Deaf & Dumb, is equally well and favorably recognized throughout the country. In the Asylum for the unfortunate Insane, three hundred and twenty or thirty patients, all of whom are receiving every possible attention which the highest skill, intelligence, and humane sympathy can give. Dr. Stribling, so well known as a gentleman every way fitted for the arduous and delicate duties of his position, still fills the place of Superintendent of this Asylum, aided in his onerous responsibilities by two gentlemen of enlarged intelligence, experience and skill in their professions, Drs. Hamilton & Berkeley. As we stood upon the observatory which surmounts the main building within the grounds occupied by this institution, looking out upon the splendid country which stretches away in every direction, our heart involuntarily thanked God for this heaven-born asylum, for the unfortunate of our State whose minds have been wrecked upon the troubled ocean of life. What, thought we, was the desolation of our beautiful Valley and the destruction of its material interests, compared with the overthrow and wreck of the human mind? Whilst a visit to the Asylum engenders painful sympathies for the unfortunates within its influences, yet all retire with the conviction that the State cannot too liberally support this magnificent charity which has done and is still doing so much to minister to the relief of minds diseased.

The Wesleyan Female Institute, in charge of our former townsman, Professor W. A. Harris, deserves cordial recognition at the hands of the friends of an elevated course of education for the gentler sex. The examinations of his pupils have been in progress, and his bright-eyed scholars have shown very commendable progress and proficiency in their various studies.

We should like to draw a pen and ink sketch of some of the more prominent public men of Staunton; but a want of time or a want of capability admonishes us to desist for the present.
W.

A correspondent of the New York "Herald" writing from Staunton avers that the Freedman's Bureau in this place has "little or nothing to do in the distribution of charity rations. There is no destitution in Virginia. In every part of the State her people have been and are sending off contributions of corn and bacon to the cotton States. How can this be done, considering the ravages of the war, in Virginia? Simply enough. Her people since the war, especially the whites, have worked and are working for large supplies of corn, wheat, rye, potatoes, beans and bacon. Their generous soil has rewarded them. Last year they had a prodigious corn crop, of which they have still a surplus on hand beyond all their immediate wants; and if Congress will only definitely say what we are to do, and all that is wanted, these people declare, 'we will do it because,' they argue, 'we see that the constitutional system in this country is at an end, and we are ready for anything that will give us the repose of an established government.'"