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Valley Virginian: August 26, 1868 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

The Great Question for the People
(Column 03)

Summary: This article is a last attempt to inform voters of the benefits of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad Subscription. The author argues that a vote for the subscription, which will take place the following day, will bring prosperity to the county in the form of more work, and an increased value in crops and produce. In turn, increased wealth will benefit education and overall happiness. The railroad is an imperative in a county desolated by war--many "blessings will flow" from its completion. The anxiety expressed in this article suggests that this vote is among the most important in a long while. It will bring prestige back to a war-torn region.

Full Text of Article:

People of Augusta, "the great question," the most momentous of the age, will be submitted to you to-morrow! Read, reflect, and act as becomes the descendants of honored sires!

Workingmen, do you want good wages, plenty of work, and a prosperous county? If so, vote for the Chesapeake and Ohio subscription.

Small farmers, do you want a double market for your crops and produce? Do you want your land doubled in value? Do you want your children educated and your house made happy? Then vote for the great enterprise--the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad.

The Blue Ridge and Alleghany mountains, those grandly silent sentinels, which for years have kept watch and ward over your county, could they speak, would thunder forth: "For ages untold wealth has been laid hidden, undeveloped, in our bosoms. You need but the coal of Kanawha to make you rich, strong and prosperous. Will the people we have watched over, be so lost to all that is worthy of them, as to reject the only means afforded to accomplish this great object? Be up and doing: live, move and have your being in the great world, as its car of progress speeds along.--Cling not to the selfish ideas of a dead and buried past, but show you are worthy of the priceless treasures bestowed upon you by a bountiful Providence, in voting to pay your part towards completing the grandest enterprise of the 19th century--the great through line from the Atlantic to the Pacific." Rich men, wealthy farmers, if you are so blind to your own interests as to oppose the subscription to the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad, think, for a moment, of your duties to the honored dead and the "poor ye always have with you." The honest laborer, the mechanic, the artisan, left home, wife, children--all, to brave danger and death for you.--Alas! but few returned--broken down, maimed, tired, footsore and weary. They have nobly faced the work before them--have worked for you and with you, as men never worked before. Now do they ask too much when they say! "Give out of your ample means and small pittance required to complete this great work, which will develop the untold wealth of your county, make labor honorable, diversify it and give us a chance to educate our children, and leave an independence for them when we die!" we think not, and in your hearts you can but feel that your duties are but poorly performed if you resist this earnest appeal. Vote the subscription; be men--liberal, generous hearted men--men worthy of Augusta--worthy of the name "Virginians of the Valley!"

"We want the Great Valley Railroad."--Certainly we do, and the only way to get it is to build the Chesapeake and Ohio. The law expressly says the Valley road cannot be built to Salem until the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad is completed. We have every assurance that as soon as Augusta votes the subscription to the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad, the Baltimore and Ohio will at once commence the work from Harrisonburg to Salem. Unless we do so, she has no interest in coming farther than Harrisonburg and never will. These are facts, stern facts!--Recollect them tomorrow!

Some people talk about "waiting until the country is settled before we vote for the Railroad Subscription." They might as well have "waited" before planting crops after the surrender. Bah! "The Gods help those who help themselves." Put your shoulders to the wheel and Democratic "help" North will soon settle matters. Then it is well, and if Grant's elected--what's the difference?

Peace and Plenty--a war desolated county built up; a divided Commonwealth reunited; a populous, thriving, brave people, educated to know the right and strong enough to maintain it!--all these blessings will flow from the completion of the grand through line--the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad. Augusta it depends on you to heap these blessings on our beloved Virginia! Do your duty fearlessly, and vote the paltry subscription!

To the People of Staunton
(Column 01)

Summary: The paper reminds people that the vote on the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad will take place at the Court House and Union Hall tomorrow, and urges voters to turn out. "The vital importance of this enterprise to our city's prosperity calls upon you."

Arrivals
(Column 02)

Summary: 1,130 visitors have arrived at Staunton hotels since May.

"Picket's Division--Longstreet's Corps."
(Column 02)

Summary: This brief notice of the arrival of General Pickett to Staunton conveys a typical "Lost Cause" version of the failed charge at Gettysburg. While the "arbiter of Fate" decided against the Confederate attack, Pickett remains regarded in the highest esteem to the citizens of Staunton.

Full Text of Article:

Staunton has the honor to-day of holding among its many distinguished visitors, General Geo. E. Picket, he of the "forlorn hope" on the bloody field of Gettysburg. As we gaze on the placid countenance of this iron-carved man, our thoughts revert to his unparalelled charge--an event which will chronicle southern bravery and devotion in song and in story so long as historians and poets shall live. We weep, alas! o'er the memory of the brave boys who died for us--and who, when the stern arbiter of Fate decided against us--having done their duty, "leave the rest to God." May our heroic general live to a great old age, long to wear the laurels he earned so well at Gettysburg.

Deaths
(Column 03)

Summary: Lewis Johnson Bruce, infant son of A. M. and Mary Bruce, died in Staunton on August 15th. He was nine months old.
(Names in announcement: Lewis Johnson Bruce, A. M. Bruce, Mary Bruce)

Deaths
(Column 03)

Summary: Virginia Points, infant daughter of W. J. and Adele Points, died in Staunton on August 22nd.
(Names in announcement: Virginia Points, W. J. Points, Adele Points)