Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1841-03-04

rePuted to be from the powerful pen Of Judge Up
shur.
h'eA5'end, fredericksburg and Potomac Rsilrsad
Company.
We have desire TO say few words to the men,
eers OF the Legislature, OF all parties, upon the
subject OF the bill reported day or two since, to
enable the Company above named to complete its
work, by extending its line from Fredericksburg to
Aeqaia Creek. We beg, for the few suggestions
we have to make, patient reading and frank and
candid consideration. We intend to avoid. as much
as possible the statistics, and other matters that
were 90 deliberately argued upon late occasion in
the House Of Delegates; and address few plain,
practical obssrvatons, to the common sense depart-
msni Of the minds of members.
ltseems to us that this is subjec, of as general
and universal interest," and that j, stands as entirely
dyested Of all local objections and sectional lea.
louses texcept, perhaps, regards the Portsmouth
Railroad interests possibly be conceived; for
u relates to the only unfinished portion Of the Grea,
Mail Line between the North and South; upon
which all men rely for the distribution of all sorts
OF intelligence and know lodge in which the people
OF the country feel any interest Il is, moreover,
the great public highway for all persons Of this and
other nations travelling between Maine and Geor-
gia, and between all the southern country and the
Seat of Government Even in this general point
Of view, who, in Virginia, would no, feel proud to
see it Completed and who does no, feel mortified
to witness its present condition. But does
not sound, practical good sense say that the
character and steadfaslness of purpose Of the
Commonwealth, is involved in completing this
great line Of improvement across her terrilory7
For what purpose, and 10 what object and end,
did the State commence this great national line of
Railroad at the Roanoke and extend il 10 the Rap.
pahannockl Can any body doubt her original de-
sign to carry it to the terminus of her territory ut
the Potomac2 And shall it be said that small con.
sideratons, or slight Inconvenience even were they
certain, shall cause her to swerve from her original
design; and that, too when in mailing distance, rs
it were, of the point Of compIeton7 If il were ne
eessary, it to us that it would be consistent
with sound policy even to make donation of the
proposed sum, rather than suffer The line TO remain
IN Its present unfinished state; for We think we
venture little in saying, that every Virginian,
wherever located, would feel proud 10 see at least
one Of her great works finished; and particularly
one which is daily under the notice, and the sub.
ject OF animadyersion, Of travellers from almost ey
cry quarter Of the globe. But how stands the De
cunary interests of the State in regard to the COM
psetion Of this ine7 The State is the Joint owner
10 the whole line from the Roanoke 10 the Rappa.
hammock Has she any regard for the value of 700
thousand dollars worth ofstock, vested in this line,
IL she has, we would say, by all means finish
the line at once, and by such means, she will not
onlv rereive aatie
moment 1t is known that the line is to be speedily
completed, she will add from 10 to 20 per cent va
lue to her stock the whole line and to that of the
enterprising individuals who are Joint owners with
her. IL seems TO us that every consideration of DO
Icy, Stale pride and interest conspre to render the
completion of this great national work across the
continent an object equally worthy OF the States
man and the Patriot, whatever his private views
may be in regard to Internal Improvements in the
abstracts Or IN reference TO such do not so extern
sNey involve the interests Of the State, the distr
button Of intelligence or the comfort and convent
ence OF surh multitudes OF travellers. The propos
ed hill, we understand, is placed upon the foot
ing of plain business transaction between the Com
Pany and the State-the former asking a loan of
tho latter in the simpleast form, and giving her Sc
eurty for the amount borrowed, principal and in
tere', Of the most satisfactory description; and more
over providing for the payment of the interest punc
Iually, in manner that cannot be doubted.
IL there should be mar, as so many fear, though
we trust causeIessly, it would be superauous TO
speak ofthe importance Of this missing link in the
chain Of rail roads from South to North. IL would
then rise into national consequence-As means for
the transportation Of troops aud munitions of war.
it would be invaluable.