Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1845-11-28
INTERNAL, IMPROVEMENTS.

The animated discussions in Virginia, in re-
gard 10 the best means OF developing our resour-
ces and opening an avenue for the industry OF our
mountains and vallies 10 the broad chesapeake,
have enlisted the attention of our sister States
They express astonishment, that, with all our adj
vanlages, We should remain SO far behind in The
great race of improvement and lislessly suffer
onr more energetic rivals 10 snatch treasures from
our hands.
We do NOT exchange with Hunts Merchants
Magazine-but in the New York Saturday En-
porium we find an allusion 10 the last No, which
concerns ourselves. After paying the proper
compliment 10 the Magazine for its broad ma
tionalily of character entire freedom from all Sec
lional views, the Editor briefly reviews the con-
tents OF The November No, and comments as iol-
lows upon the Rail Road movement in Virginia.
Itindicates the opinion entertained BY other States
of our pre.eminenl advantages, and of the vital
importance Of energetic movements on our parl'
10 improve the blessings which Providence has
placed in our hands. How happy should we be,
if we saw any early prospect OF realizing the
b,igh, picture which The Editor sketches:
"Anolher article opens 10 us We confess, a
new field of contemplation, in relation 10 the
more central portion of the Union. We refer 10
The railroad movement in Virginia. The views
OF The writer are very iorcible; and what strikes
Us as surprising, is The fact, that so important
subject has no, long since asilated The public
mind We say the public mind, because lhls
Great Central Railroad has national character,
and would benefi, the whole Union, without, Is is
truly remarked by the writer, proving injurious
10 any section OF the country. There IS great
force in The suggestions in relation TO the loca ad-
vantaees OF Richmond and Norfolk; and we were
struck with the remark, which is no less novel
than true, that were there no great works OF In
iernal Improvement 10 the United States, and The
Federal Government were called upon 10 con-
| struct one great national work, this, of all others,
would be selected Give TO New York, Pennsyl-
vania, Massachusetts or Maryland, such route
| for The union of the Atlantic with the Mighty
| West, and long since would the work have been
| compeled We do not profess 10 know much
from personal knowledge Of this great work, in
reference 10 its feasibility or importance; but We
confess glance al the map, as We traced The
course OF the writer's remarks, convinced US that
the subject is one Of vast interest TO the whole
country. And il it possess half the advantages
suggested in the article, we, from our heart bid
/ our brethren OF Virginia God speed in the con-
sruclion Of this great Central Railroad from
Richmond 10 Guyandotie We cannot imagine
that SO much OF indifference can possess The
statesmen of The Old Dominion as 10 allow them
10 delav its immediate construction. Pressed as
she is upon every side, The old Commonwealth
must soon yield TO HE spirit OF The times. The
immense accumulation Of The trade OF the Yves
is gathering so fast upon the Western borders
that she cannot much longer Withstand lis pres
SIRE, but must give it free course TO the Chesa
peake The solitary grandeur OF her mountain
districts must soon be broken with The busy dir
of industry in opening these hidden treasures
and her remote but beautiful vallies will soor
stand so thick with corn that they shall langi
and sing"