Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 182?-183?, 1831-12-02

interest Of the South, cannot be O, sliook ed A.;
upon the power and influence of these states
It's safety may mainly depend. Let the Chos-
apeake commerce be what it ought TO be.
ana cut little OF the Southern trade will pass
North OF the Capes OF Virginia The west
instead Of connecting itself more intimately
every year with Pennsy lvania, New York
ana The states north of them, will, as the in
'ercourse increases in southcrnly direc-
Iion, become annually more identified in
ieelings, interests, and views, with those OF
MARY land, Virginia, and the states OF Mis-
s'Ssipp.
Your Memorialists are aware, that their
views may encounter prejudices and ohjec-
lions winch have deep root i'll some minds,
auu mat II has boon feared that intercommu-
hica'ion between the upper counties OF Vr-
ginia and Baltimore, nii"ht ALLEVIATE your
western people from their parent state 70
your 3lemorialists it seems clear that such a
tendency may be produced by tyrannical
disregard of the condition and the interests
OF so large portion OF the commonwealth
mol by opening 10 what must ere long be a
majority OF the citizens of the state, all the
dement's Of uniform and ample markets, &C
cessioie by rapid and cheap lines oftranspor-
ta'lon, by which the PRODUCTS of their indus
try' The fruits OF their soil, and the great mi
neral deposits of their mountains, will re-
bic. "Fp'o''"
ihe people OF Western Virginia have ever
ieit, ana Will ever feel, the deepest interest
IN me glory, prosperity and happiness of the
e.ure commonwealth, and they cannot ina
Sine, that an increase in their numbers.
wealth, or prosperity would be acquisitions
,ess valuable TO the state, because they may
DC inc fruits OF commerce carried beyond
our territorial border. This unworthy sus
p'c!on can only rest upon the supposition that
lhelr patriotism is allied TO their poverty, and
disappear '-''- -" '''
!iany doubt should remain as 10 the bene-
hclai influence which the proposed improve
meht must exercise over the line so LONG con-
'enPiated, and intehded 10 be made by Vir-
Sihla, your Memorialists beg leave TO add.
that II The western end should be completed
as part of the James river onterprize the
proprietary interest Of the commonwealth
would be greatly augmented by the add
'lohal trade which the northern branch would
attract from the west, while this increased
HOW OF commerce ia search of a market
would yield amuch greater share of bust
ness 10 The James River towns than thew
could otherwise commenced from the great
valley of the west.
ii me western end be formed by the pro
poEeG company, or Jointly with lis resources
anu lhose OF The state tho same great CONNER
ela'andpoiitlcal advantages will he secured 10
Inc common"e alth, while her ability TO con-
slruct other works will be less exhausted
and 'i The means of improving other parts OF
The state, less diminished.
In every point Of view il seems most clear
10 your hlemorialistS, that whatever DISPOSE
'!on Inc General Assembly may make ofthc
great question OF forming line of CONNER
cisi intercourse from Richmond 10 the Ohio
river, The line proposed from the Potomac
westward, ought 10 receive the prompt and
iineTai patronage of the Legislature.
hey, therefore, for themselves and their
lelloW-ci'izens, whom they represent, ear
nesAiy pray, that laws may be passed modi-
Tying the act passed for the formation Of the
Staunton and Potomac railroad company.
or providing for the different organization of
accompany TO construct a line ofrail-road of
the most permanent and approved character,
from the Potomac TO Covington, or 10 some
other convenient point on the central line Of
improvement herein before referred TO with
power, u The James river conneXion with the
west shall not be formed within a reasonable
time 10 be fixed by law, 10 continue the rail-
road from the Potomac 10 the Ohio river;
end that the encouragement and patronage Of
tho State to so important a measure, .nay be
manifested by pledge in the bill to take
liberal part Of the stock.
Unanimously agreed TO in Convention and
signed by order thereof
Lewisburg. ID of November 1881.