Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1831-03-26

poets at the shrine Of popular prsiudce and
these, the objects which Virginia must. even Ia self
defence, sooner later, achieve for herself-and OF
which, repeat,ths generatonshould Il bndly refuse
to avail self,-has no right 10 defraud posferity by
transferring to strangers and foreigners, the Of
their attainment.
But shall be told, Mr. Speaker that the Bill, ,ropo
ses TO incorporate pirgiaid company to effect this
work-to make this Rail- Road from the Potomac 10
oaun'on and thence to the Ohio! aud that there is no
arrangement entered into, no understanding with any
foreign company, association of individuals that
they shall aid and cooperate in this enterprise Sir
nave no legal testimony 10 prove that such understand
ing or arrangement exists, and therefore, shall not
sert H-but this will say, that there is evidence suf
Gent to satisfy mind the evidence furnished by the
circumstances OF the case-tba no candid man can or
viii deny that the friends Of this scheme depend and
uepehd Wd"ty, upon foreign means for its accomplish
ment. =
Need adduce any other proof of the correctness of
th's opnioa than the fact that the Rail Road proposed
10 De made, Is upwards OF $50 miles in lengh-that at
ZooOO per mile, he conecural estimate OF the civil
Engineer, Tor the least difficult part of the route) IL
would cost 81 900 at $4,000 il would cost
So,zoOooO! Can any rejecting man, at all acquainted
with the resources OF that counrycan even the wild.
est and most visionary Of the projectors Of this
have permitted his hopes utterly TO bewilder his
Judgment as TO bring himself believe that either of
these sumsor the half of either or the fourth of Ell
her, can or will be raised by the people of Virginia a.
long the line of this Improvement for this or any like
object! Would to God could believe IT, sir-would 10
God our brethren on both sides of the Allegheny were
as rich IN worldly treasure, know them TO be in all
the virtues, private social and public.
Mr. speaker to enable us to understand the true cha
rac'er and bearing OF this question, will be necessary
10 look BACK upon certain legislative occurrences Of the
last tour or five years On the 9Th of March, 1897,
TWO days only before the adjournment Of the General
Assembly, three commissioners, ministers ptetipo-
fenftdry arrived here from Annapolis bringing with
them the Act of the Maryland Legislature ncorporat
ing "The Baltimore and Ohio Rail Road Company" and
presented memorial asking permission to extend their
road through the State Of Virginia. 10 the Ohio river
After some dficuty-and, believe, Mr. Speaker. as
you and others who hear will recoIect moi a little
diplomatic management, this permission was granted
(by the Act passed on the 9Th March, the very dav
believe OF the adjournmenD restricting the company to
the mouth OF the Little Kanawha, the lowest point at
| which they should touch the Ohio
Happening to be member of the other House at the
umes voted, with great cheerulness for granting this
privilege thus restricted BECAUSE should the work e.
yer be accomplished il would afford to our brethren of
the North West or whom regret TO say the State has
done but little, and feared, would not for length of
time to come, be able willing do much more5 faci
liues which they greatly needed 10 enable them to
reach their natural and appropriate markets.
With this privilege, the company were for a time
perfectly content having obtained quite as much If not
more, than they expected. But embodened by their
hrs success, an application made the Legisla-
ture two years ago, either directly by themselves as
have always understood the fact or by others in
their name and BEHALF remove the restriction "a IN
tne point at which they should be permitted to tap the
ONO rver-ln other words, that they should be allow
ed TO sweep through the valley OF the Shenandoah and
to continue their road thence the Ohio upon the
route long since set aside and appropriated by the wis
dom and political forecast of our predecessors TO The
great channel of communication between our sis
ter States in the West and own Atlantic border
route ascertaned by actual survey, both by the civil
Engineers OF Virginia, and by those of the u States TO
be greatly preferable to any of which competitors
Tor TINS fruitful source OF national acedh and polit
cal strength and safety, can avail themselves
bill to this effect, passed the other branch of he
Legislature, just, as understand, this has DONE with
out notice or comment In this body its passage was
resisted and the Bill finally rejected. 1t rejected
sir, upon principle which no Statesman dsregard
no patriot can overlookon the ground that il is the
duty OF every wise and paternal government 10 see
mat the common good IF all, be sacrificed to the
local Interests OF ew-o take that those blessings
which Providence has destined to promote and insure
the wealth, prosperity happiness and safety of the
munity over which that government presides be not
heediessiy iavshed upon strangers who, instead of
community oil feeling and OF interest with u.s. are act
ated by motives OF rivalry and of jealousy
have gone into this brief history, Mr. Speaker, 10
shew to the Senate the zeal and pertinacty with which
the Baltimore Rail Road company has pursued their ia.
vorite object Of c0dring or teazine Won ont of The
superior, social and commercial facilities which the
geography oil your State presents-and thus of draw
ng 70 ner own great commercial emporium, the trade
which nature designed should you not fooshIy throw
away the gem, should enrich your own
do moi urge IL as matter OF complaint or of cen
sure, against the Baltimore or any other foreign Com
piny, or State, that they should seek 10 agsrandiz
themselves, even at our expence, by temp,inp coma
merce to take direction, in their favour different,
from mat which nature has indicated So far as thew
neis
oil intercourse, the contest is fair legitimate and
erous one but while they are so Iynx.eyed "a 70 ali
tn concerns their interests, let not be utterly
gardless oil our owniet not, like E,au of old sell
| our birth right for mess of pot;age."
Under this view OF the subject, who an doubt III
continued anxiety Of this Baltimore Co6panv IN aa;
An object II has so long pursued Who can doub, IN
they, or tn, State OF Maryland will gladly and
W avail TN smselves OF your natural Advantages MA
you be weak enough to surrender them) to swell The
wealth, prosperity and glory Of their people But sir
/ pa IL lfaH If III
from what quarter this foreign aid is to comsnnI...
indeed 1t come from the General Government. who's,
right 10 appropriate money 10 make or TO assist in
log internal improvements, my principles cali upon me
10 deny-l care not rush whether the fund, IN ac
compsh this enterprise bs furnished by Baltimore
Maryland, Cincinnati, or LverpoJl-for / have bsard
ihsm all spoken Of the fountain from which tbsss
sweet waters are TO fowl look sir, opIy 10 the com
merca moral, and political suits that must inc
bly, follow from the accomplishment of this protest bv
whatsoever means effected, should you 10 an unguard
ed ADD an evil hour grant the csn.e now asked for
In commercial point Of view it will be A .u.yendsr
on the part OF Virginia OF the rich prz. for which che
Is cont'ndng with many competitors twill trans
Ter TO others the fruitful sources of national veal ana
OF national strength, which make part of the r,sour
ces OF this good Old D)mnioD-t will Divert To rvs,
State the rich trade Of tho West Of which we can he
| deprived only by our culpabe neglect of ibs
means necessary to secure iI will tend 10 build un
and sustain great rival commercial Emporiuu i, a
neighbourisg State, by the prosira'iou Of our own
Units moral effects 1t will be less mi ,cbisvou, n
wiz ofeak asunder The ties that bind us together
as one PeopleIt will ALLEVIATE and denatonaIizs o,,
brethren Of the West-from Virgpians IA will ,ran
mute them into Marylanders, by the aI-power,uI in.
nuence OF community, idsntitv nj iot