Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1845-06-02


opInion that the Canal from I.ynchburg to Richmond
has proved in its capacity To develop the Of The
country through which il peneares, and with which it
is connected "a failure" yet it urges with lis accus
TONED force of argument, the speedy and energetic
tnuance Of The improvement 10 its originally conempa
ted western terminus.
We have for many years past. the files Of our paper
will attest, zeaousy advocated the connection of the
Eastern and Western waters enterprise Of scarcely
less Importance in its political than in It's commercial
bearings-and it has been with no little pain that
have been compelled recently doubt The expediency
OF progressing farther, al least expensive scale
(afier The Blue Ridge Canal shall have been resnsca-
ted with scheme Of improvement, from the compile
ton Of which bad so long been accustomed 10 anlic
pate and predict such beneficial and splendid results
About six millions of dollars have already been expen.
ded upon this lne-and the result Of the expenditure
although the work is completed only about onethifd of
the way. is Pronounced ga iaure"-and we do not
know that the term is too strong one, when it is adj
mited that the amount of tonnage upon the line is ral>
ef less now than 1t was before the canal opened
while lis annual falls short Of the annual char
ges upon it, With these facts before our eyes does it moi
at least behoove us, before take new and rrevoca
BILE siepin this enterprise. 10 look cautiously and
more critically than has yet done at the probable
results, lest. after the expenditure Of six millions more
we should find the COMPANIES exchequer still an sex
hausted receiver the end of every year while the
addition TO the trade of the line there should be any,
may be so small as to justify the rendition of verdict
upon the whole line similar to that which is now pro
nounced upon the part compeled7 We think so, and
II Is for the purpose of directing public attention that
| an " iu,nc
ven a, the hazard of subjeclng motives TO mscun
s'rncon and Misrepresentation, to throw out the sug
gestion.
The day for eloquent defamation upon the compare
tive decline Of Virginia. and the causes which have
contributed 10 the decay of her strength aud influence
and for vague assumptions that her downward career
only be arrested by the contamination of his or that
scheme of Improvement passed away. 1t is in
truth, assuming what this utilaan age the public
require 10 be demonstrated, at least with something like
reasonable certainty. Let them those who are in ia
vor ot an immediate and energetic resumption of the
James River and kanawha improvement even with the
lights now before them, address themselves TO the task
ofremovng, they can. the doubts Of those who question
the eNpedency Of so dong-doubls which have been
beel as reluctant to entertain we express
them.
We do no, say unquafedy, that the work ought to
be aresed for il did say, should be guilty of
piece of presumption, which would deserve to be re
buked. In the present state of normation we are
not prepared to express Intelligent, and therefore
posifire opinion, way the other We have here
tofore however, expressed doubts of the expedency
of going with it, and after stating the reason of those
doubts have called upon those supposed to possess
he ,I, if,l,o
unfouuded-but have called in vain. The great
question be decided before ano her steps taken is
plain and practical one Ills this UiHae improve,
ment i completed, SO augment the tonnage tpon the
line, $50 pay the interest (ce say nothing of dridends
10 ~ stocklodes) upon the cost of its construction
II that question be answered airmallycly and fair
presumptve evidence of the correctness Of the answer
shall accompany it, then there may be plausbiity
IN uraing Me resumption Ut The w"sk. But if no such
result be reasonably antciraed-if as assert,
the trade Of the Ohio will seek outlets market at points
higher up the river than that contemplated for the ter>
minus of route both because of the nearer proxn
'y of those points the great Atlantic seapors and of
the greater cheapness OF transportaon-and it. as 9TH
ers believe, far from bringing trade from the Ohio
TO Richmond, much Of The produce Of our own north-
western counties upon the line would 90 westwardly
upon ii To the Ohio, 10 be conveyed thence Ia the sea
board-then should be constrained 10 regard the
outlay of several millions of dollars in addition 10 that
already expended. a chmercal and quxuc (not' to
say wanton and inexcusable) waste of the public money
We repeat. then, that, before anything farther is
done, this preliminary investigation ought 10 be made
and far it be, lniegenily decided Let us not
be guilty Of the nexcusable folly OF making another
costly failure" because stubbornly refuse to look
before we leap
As feeder 10 The james River Canal. we have seen
nothing 10 change opinion long held and frequently
expressed that look for to the southwest rah.
81 than to the northeast We are aware that in this
opinion not sustained by gentlemen 10 whose su
peror ability and experience bound defer; yet
in the absence of any attempt IT, or to show
lis facy we do not feel disposed ellnquish or con
ceal it.
We make these remarks, as we have heretofore made
others Ola like tenor elicit information The publ /,
mind requires it, and will be satisfied 20 90 on as
we have heretofore DONE upon the faith of magnificent
but deceptive estimates. Give us not opinions, but fact,
not speculative dreams, such MS those by which ",
have been heretofore msled and deceived, Gas were
doubtless those who INDUCED them but somethinu
tangible and reliable Without this in the present tenn
per OF the public mind dshearened as the PEOPLE are
by the disastrous results of our only great experiment il
IS in vain 10 look them for favorable response to the
exravagan demands of hose whom they are COMPELLED
ia, H.. t.,l,t