Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1845-12-25

Eorm, suited to the accommodation of travel onlv |
This, then, would prove great auxiliary and |
leeder to the James River Canal, ensure the trade |
10 the city Of Richmond, and yet leave the road |
the most profitable, perhaps, that has ever been |
constructed In the United States.
IL may be asked, then, Why not let the James
River and kanawha Company extend their road
from Buchanan to Guyando,te, and then let line
OF communication be made from Covington 10
by some other company THE an
swer IS plain; 1t the james River Company con-
struct that road from GuyandOtte to buchanan,
they cannot make IL profitable, except by a con-
sinuation Of tho line of railroad to Richmond. so
as to secure the travel as we'll as trade which as
i have shewn, would be much greater distance
upon which to lay that railroad, consequently
~9oid COST a great deal more money, and because
DO not believe the money could be raised in that
way. Moreover. it Is manifest. that il it could
De, and the road was built, the James River and
hanawna Company would not be willino 10 bui,d
the other part of the road from Covinoton 70
Gordonsville, and thus throw of from their own
line the entire travel, which is the only or chiefly
profitable part of railroad nor would thew nj.
low any new company, if one could be found
(Which do not believe,) willing TO construct the
road.
But let new company be formed to make the
road from Guyandot,e to Gordonsville, and thew
might very we'll agree to carry the produce fron
Guyandotte to Coying,on, and thence to Buchan-
expense in the construction of their road from
Covington to Staunton, which would be great
central cepot, where heavy freight would be IA.
ken on again to Richmond. Or the privilege
might be continued, as il now exists, to the James
RIVER and kanawha Company, to construct a
road or canal, at their option, from Buchanan to
take the other road at Covngton, so as to take
on the heavy merchandise from the West ri
'hrow out these suggestions for what thew are
worm, In order to haruoniZe all interests and an
pease all apprehensons, and because wish 10
see both lines of improvement succeed and
fiourish.l
Some writer in the Richmond Whig. see. ex
presses readiness to undertake to shew that the
construction OF this road would be the means of
carrying our trade to New Orleans. l confess |
am curious TO see the mode of reasoninp bv
which he comes 10 this conclusion!
nave supposed, SIR that when we took into
consideration the difficulties of the navipa,ion of
the Gulf of Mexico and the Gulf Stream. the
rates OF freight in New Orleans, which are so
per cent. higher than with us, the additional and
higher charges for commissions, WARFARE Sc
the health of the city, the danger of shippin1
oreadstufis of every description, as also beef
pork, lard and butter, through that warm and I'M
healthy climate, together with the dangers of the
navigation of the Mississippi below the mouth
OF the Ohio, that New Orleans would no where
ind so formidable rival to her trade as the citv
OF Richmond, when this road should be COM
pleted.
!, AS for the suggestion that has been made, that
this road would not bring h0rei to the CITY of
Richmond, while that on the south side of James
River would, have only TO say, that those who
urge this objection estimate the ADVANTAGES of a
railroad somewhat differently from the manner in
which have estimated them. According TO nv
views, the travel is of no consequence TO the CT
ties. What we want, is the travel on the roads
Tor the benefit of the stockholders, in order 10
thp fhati IL 4.
cities. Vi what advantage would it be TO Rich
mond that line of RAILROAD should pass through
your streets conveying 500 or 900 passengers a
day,-who would merely pass through the town,
admire Its beautiful scenery, and wonder to find
a CITY possessing SO many superior advantages,
so lar behind the spirit OF the age in her improve
ments?
Ii they arrived at night, they might 90 to bed
or travel on, according to the arrangement that
might be made by the company, or as the carrier
Of the mail, according to the schedule of the
POSTMASTER General; or if they arrived about
meal hours, they might eat breakfast, or dim
ner, and be OIL again. This would be of some
benefit to the tavern keepers, an interest that
should be protected if practicable, but not an OBJ.
]ect I'm locating railroad or 500 miles in ex-
lent But OF what Importance is it to the CITY or
the State! None at all And what a stranoe
oeiusion seems 10 exist on this subject but APP
prehend that few would reach the Junction thar.
If not hurried for ,ime would no, make a hasty
and flying visit to the city, attracted by that sort
OF curiosity common to all travellers.
The only question that remains to be answered
now, is, where is the money 10 come from to |
construct this road-from five TO SIX millions, il
Is supposed, would be amply suflcent-and the
question is every where asked, where is the mo.
ney to come froml And is this question for
Virg!nian to ask, when he looks abroad at the
condition OF this, his native State, rich in all the
agricultural and mineral productions of nature,
comparatively free from debt-a State for which
nature has done every thing and art nothino-and
contrast 1t with Massachusetts or little Rhode
Island, the largest of which might be put in the
breeches pocket of Virginia, if she wore panta-
loons-States Tor which art has done every thing
nnd nature nothing, and finds how infinitely SUI
peror they appear in the advancement of science. |
IN skill, energy, enterprise, wealth and happi- |
ness all brought about by judicious appIica- I
lion OF their resources in the cause of internal i'm
provement, which leads necessarily TO the on.
couragement OF Industry, industry TO temperance,
end temperance to morality for so true as il is
mat idleness is the root Of all evil" SO true is
II that Improbable labor leads TO idleness, idle !
ness 10 lniemperance, and intemperance TO vice !
NO, sif, 1t is not the means that we want--it is |
public spirit and public enterprise we have
Inc means buried in the bowels of one range of
Our mountains to construct all The roads that we
want IN Virginia, if the facilities were afforded of
bringing them TO light, and conveying them to
market, which would at once be created by pro-
per system Of improvement.
A better spirit pervades the public mind at
his time, than any former occasion: let us
'eIze upon the propitious moment; strike while
he irons bot--let each one Of us do our duty.
bur whole duty to the State. discarding all secti-
'nal and individual interests, and the result cam
not be doubtful for if there is not sogacity and
Energy enough in this State 10 execute this great
work, second in its Importance to none that has
)een projected in this country, as | solemnIv no.