Valley Virginian

At first view, this seems rather an odd conjunction of subjects, but, upon consideration, they are not so entirely dissimilar as would generally be supposed. In one sense, a school bears a strong analogy to a manufacturing establishment, the teacher being the artisans--the undisciplined pupils, the raw material--and the educated young man or woman the fabric! And when we look at the skill required in the artificer--the nature and value of the material to be worked up, and the inestimable importance of the results to be attained, in converting immature, thoughtless, and often wayward boys and girls, into cultivated, refined, and reflecting gentlemen and ladies all must concede that it is a branch of industry which should stand at the head of all human employments.

But it is not our purpose to run this parallel between education and manufactures.--We classed them together, merely because they are both intimately connected with the prosperity of our town.

From present prospects, we are led to believe, that, at no distant day, the Chesapeake and Ohio R.R. will be extended to the coal-fields, 50 miles west of the White Sulphur; And very soon thereafter, to the Ohio River. As part of the projected improvement, a new and short line of railway is to be constructed, from some point on the present road, near Shadwell Mills, through Fluvanna and Goochland, to Richmond, thus cutting off about 36 miles, and reducing the distance from Staunton to Richmond, to about 100 miles.

The importance of these improvements to Staunton, can hardly be over estimated. We will then be on the line of the great through trade and travel from East to West, and West to East. In ten years from the completion of these great improvements we shall probably, have fifty or a hundred trains of cars per day instead of four. But the advantages, resulting from this through trade and travel, (important as they doubtless will be) will bear no comparison with those which will result from bringing the coal, iron, and timber of our country into close relations.--These three articles are the most important elements in many branches of manufacture--coal is needed to smelt the iron, and to generate the steam-power, necessary to operate the machinery, and iron and timber are the raw materials for the manufacture of all kinds of agricultural implements, wagons, carts, hoes, spades, locks and many other articles which we need not enumerate.

Of timber we have an abundant supply and of the very best quality. Hickory, white oak, ash, walnut, and white and yellow pine abound, in almost every part of the country. Iron ore, in inexhaustible quantities, has been found in our mountains, both east and west of us. Of late, an active spirit, not only of enquiry, but of development, has manifested itself in regard to our mineral resources. The first fruit of this spirit, has been the erection, by a wealthy Maryland Company, under the auspices of our enterprising and esteemed fellow citizen, L. Sibert, of a large furnace, in Buffalo Gap, on the line of the R.R. and within ten miles of Staunton. This is to be followed by a twin furnace, of the same size, at the same place, and ultimately, by a Rolling-mill.

Another company from N.Y. has bought the McBride survey of 24,000 acres, a few miles beyond Buffalo Gap, near the summit on which they propose to erect similar works. These furnaces--to say nothing of Forrer's Works, and the Estelline and Bath Furnaces, a little further on, and the three furnaces in Rockbridge and Alleghaney, recently bought, and to be operated by Huster Clymer and his partners, will furnish all the iron that may be needed by a dozen large manufacturing establishments.

The only thing then wanting will be coal. This will, within two years at most, by supplied from the mines in Greenbrier, Gauley and the Kanawha, of a quantity much better than any they have in Baltimore; and, as we have every reason to believe, at a cost much less than the Baltimore manufacturers have to pay.

When this is done, the three great elements of manufacturers will be brought into contact, and it will be the fault of our own people, if they are not blended together, in the manufacture of all kinds of implements &c., which are produced from these materials.

If any one doubts whether there would be a market for such productions of industry and skill, let him go to our depots on the railroad, in the summer and early autumn, and see the thousands upon thousands of dollars worth, that are imported and sold. How much better would it be, for all classes of our people, if all this money were kept, and expended among ourselves!

So much for the material manufactures.--Let us now say a word in regard to the educational and moral manufacture of enlightened and elevated Christians gentlemen and ladies, from the crude material that is annually brought to our schools!

Situated as Staunton is, in a healthful and beautiful region, exempt from malaria and epidemic diseases; in a country abounding in supplies--midway between the University, on one hand, and Washington College, and the Military Institute, on the other, and in close proximity to the world renowned Watering places of Virginia, it has peculiar advantages as a centre of female education, for the Southern, and will soon have, for the Western and Middle States.

It is now accessible from the North East, and South, by railroads already built, and soon will be for the West, by the extension of the Chesapeake & Ohio R.R. Young gentlemen coming to either the colleges above named can bring their sisters, and leave them here, and then go to the College of their choice. Parents, too, when they come to the Springs, can accompany their daughters to this point, or if they be already here can visit them, in going to and from the Watering places west of us. Here, the young ladies will have the assurances of good health and exemption from the annoyance of beaux, and other malign influences, which might, in a less favored locality, distract their minds from their studies!

These are no mere conjectural advantages. They have been verified by actual experiment. We already have three female schools, of the highest order, in our town, under the patronage of the Episcopal, Presbyterian and Methodist denominations. All the schools have, by their admirable management, so effectually commended themselves to public favor, that we believe, they are all now filled to the extent of their means of accommodation.

The "old fogy" idea of jealousy, between these schools, has been completely exploded. The enlightened principles know, that the more schools we have, the better. Each, instead of injuring, tends to stimulate the others to greater effort and diligence. And we believe that those having charge of the existing schools, would be gratified if the Baptists, Lutherans, and Catholics, would each establish similar schools.

We venture, then, to urge our fellow citizens of these denominations, to bestir themselves, to carry that desirable object into effect. We do so, not only for the benefit of their children, but for the promotion of the general cause of education, and the advancement of the interests of the town. There is no good reason why we should not have six or seven hundred young ladies educated here annually.

If this were the case, it would be hard to over-estimate the advantages that would flow from it. Two or three hundred thousand dollars, expended every year, in a community like ours would make a marked difference in every branch of business. Such an outlay would promote all classes of society. Farmers, merchants, grocers, milliners, mantua- makers, and shoe-makers, would all receive their share. And besides the immediate expenses of the pupils, there would be important advantages to our Hotel-keepers, from the numerous visitors, friends and relatives of the pupils, who would be attracted by the presence of so many young ladies.

We can hardly persuade ourselves, that the Baptists, Lutherans, and Catholics are more indifferent in regard to education, or less enterprising than other denominations. They are only a little slow in their movements. Our purpose in writing this article is, to spur them up, by calling their attention to the necessity of prompt and energetic action.

We feel confident that the people of Staunton and vicinity will rejoice to learn that this old and popular band of Music has been reorganized by the adoption of a constitution and by-laws for its government, and the election of the following officers: President, E.M. Cushing; Secretary and Treasurer, S.C. Baskins; Leader, Prof. A.J. Turner, and Assistant Leader, T.M. Turner. This band was organized several years before the war, and during the war it served faithfully and efficiently up to the surrender of Lee's army at Appomattox Court-house, since which time it has had no regular organization.--The Messrs., Turner, father and son, are accomplished musicians, and we have no doubt that the band, under their able leadership will soon be enabled to afford to our citizens a number of musical entertainments worthy of its ancient reputation. With all our hearts, we say let the band be liberally encouraged.