Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1838-08-03
kbO.7a E;SH'sE.

DOMESTIC.
SVrr4-wEsrrRy RAmRoAD.-On our first page will
be found some important reflections Of the Abingdon
Statesman on this long neglected improvement.
meeting contemplated by the friends Of the measure
al the county court for the purpose of considering
and adopting necessary measures TO ascertain public
opinion on tie subject We hope they will also eadea
yor to show The friends of The James River md kanaw
hu Improvement the absurGy aud unsta,rsmanlke op-
position they have heretofore made to this necessary
and all.ltnportant undertaking -LsTisb~g Enquirer
(Fro,u the abingdon Statesman
SOUTH. WESTERN RAILROAD.
We understand il is intended by the friends of Rail-
road from Richmond, via Lynchburg 10 the Trnnes
see line, 10 hold meeting al this place, the first
day the county court for the purpose OF adopting
the necessary TO elicit expression Of public
opinion here upon the subject. The question. whether
or not this proposed Road shall he maGe, will probably
be decided at the Legislature. IF the people Of
Southwestern Virginia be friendly 10 The project they
should take the necessary steps make their wishes
known to The Legislature. THIS eau be done either by
circulating petitions and Obtaining signatures, or by
holding public meetings, and adopting resolutions ex
pressve of their wishes upon the subject We hope the
people Of Washington vii! attend the proposed meeting
the next court and let their voice be heard either for
or against the Contemplated improvement.
Having heretofore frequently expressed our thorough
conviction of the necessity OF the Road deem 1t IN.
necessary again travel the ground The subject
has been fully discussed and any argument III support
of il this late day, would seem TO be Useless. Indeed
we are at loss 10 conceive how any intelligent man,
who will view this matter 10 its true light, for
ment doubt The necessity which exists for this improve
nent or the immense advantages which would result 10
this section of the State, should the improvement be
effected We put it 10 the common sense of people,
whether this section Of the State will ever be anything
more than il now is, without outlet 10 market
Can we by any other possible means escape from our
present impoverished condition, and avail Ourselves OF
The numerous and vast resources Of wealth which Ma
ture has thrown in our way but which are, and must
forever remain useless 10 us, unless effect some
Improvement Of the character contemplated: We
have rich lands but what do they avail us: The con-
don Of the mass Of our farmers ai!nrds answer,
which should arouse from that !ehargy and su'
pneness which have hitherto paralyze our energies
and chained down the spirit Of enterprise and indus
try. Our fine. rich lands permitted to lie nncultl.
waited mas. of the farmers being content To scratch
little here and there with the plough! and raise scarce.
" grain enough for home CONSUMPTION. That country
So ch in It's should thus he rendered conpa'
ravcy useless speaks but lille IN favor 81 the energy
and enterprise OF lis Inhabitants. The condition OF
the agricultural interest Of any country Is, generally
speaking. fair criterion by which 10 judge nt lis
wealth This interest IT, TO great extent, the ioun.
dalton and support OF all other interests. Commerce
ard Manufactures keep pace with IT. Give ihs sec.
ton Of the State, outlet 10 market, nnd a~rIcu
tufr viii flourish here. II Will then hold out
sufficient inducements 10 engage IN II The Industry
and enterprise of the people will be aroused and the
means OF wealth, which Nature has rrouseiy scattered
among US, will be made available. Along with
agriculture, other interests Viii lie revived ana
flourish. and surplus productions be poured INTO the
laps Of the Eastern cities. Are these things, which we
contend would result from the accomplishment Of the
proposed Improvement desirable. or shall We continue as
we are poor the midst Of abundant means OF wealth
The people here show too much indifference upon
this subject. il which involves their vital inter
ess, and ever their most eanes, action was demanded
It is now--rnw, while the spirit Of Improvement IS
abroad cSerym herc-no". while the State Is willing to
and do something for There are those amongst
us who cannot the necessity Of railroad. These
look at things they and not they viii and must
be- should the road b. made. They Tel! Us, that ra
road, IN month, would carry oil ali that the coun
Try produces. This is very likely, for the people
here now consume ali the agriculture productions,
and for aught we know, could Consume more than
is produced But as we have already said, there is
now inducement TO raise surplus, because we
the Of throwing that plus into market
price which, would pay for our trouble and eI
penses. Give road to market and this would s.
inmate surplus productions Where there Is
bushe of wheat ralsed there would then be 20, and
inc rease in the production Of other grain, proportion
Stock 10 the raising nf which this section of country is
cmneny adapted would also he increased Our vast
mineral resources. too, would then be made To avail
something The improvement proposed, would be an
immense harvest field in which. not only the farmer
hut The mechanic and professional. man would reap
There is branch Of trade ans! industry, and
department in the arts and sciences mt which would be
made feel tie revving aud beneficial influence Of The
proposed Improvement The farmer would produce
more, he better paid for il. ana have market for the
sal, OF his productions This would enable him 10 deal
more with The merchant. TO pa'ronSe the mechanic
hberailv better 10 educate his children. and in
word. TO enjoy life, instead OF merely living The be-
nefs Of trade reciprocal The several interests in
society mutually dependanta close sympathy exists
between them, and when 10 Benefited that benefit,
in shape other sooner or LATER finds It's way 10
all the other interests. The merchant gets his share
Of what the mechanic accumua,es and the latter comes
in for portion Of the merchants profits because they
mutually palronise each other. We contend then that
Tho nnnll tnd upuli hi pptt
branch Of busnessbc because it would increase the wealth
Of the country and extend lis benefits TO all the differ
enl interests snrety. Without permitting Fancy 10
usurp the place Of Reason, in view of this improvement
look forward TO the time. when this section of
Virginia will become Of the finest countries IN the
wod-when her rich and fertile hills and valles shall
smile with Joyous plenty-whcn shall be extensive
fields Of grain vsdant pastures herds of cattle, neat
farms and farm-hOusrs, furnishing villages, numerous
and extensive manufactures. and when her vacant aud
places shall be filled up cultivated and adorned,
by Industrious enlerptsIng and wealthy population
when education, refinement aud the arts and sciences
shall keep pace with her giant strides in Agriculture,
| Commerce and Manufactures
LOUISA RAILROAD.
CHARLorTE.yILLr July % A called meeting Of The
Stockholders Of tie Louisa Railroad Company held
a, Louisa c. II on Friday the 10Th insl for The purpose
Of deciding whether they would extend their road 10
| Charlottesville Gordousve. There quite full
meeting Of the Stockholders, and large cOncourse OF
! people were in attendance. Governor Barbour and
Judge Barbour appeared delegates from the Gnrdons
| Vile Observation-Disclosures B. Williams Mann Page and
| John Willis from Orsnge Court house and w { RIves,
| John r Jones, T. ". Gilmer and w. n. Merriwether
from Albcmae. BY resolution Of the Company these
delegates were invited take seats in the meeting, and
to address the Stockholders. There accordingly a
long and interesting discussion, to the relative merits
and advantages Of the different locations The drbaie
was opened by Gov Barbour, who replied to by Mr.
Rives Judge Barbour then addressed the meeting. and
was followed by Mr. Glmer The meeting also
addressed by Mr. Ed Fonane the proxy for the State
DR. Shepherd of Hanover, MIR Merriwpther, the Rev
Mr. Crawford aud Fred Harris, Esq President Of the
Company. &c The delegates argued respectively in
fuun of the several rpnIes and endea demon