Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1845-08-14

indulge us in some improvements, to rec
oncile US to our inadequate representation.
Mr.. Chairman, II is difficult, very difficult
Tor me to speak, or you listen composedly
to such things-But lei Us do so--Let the
spirit OF love be strong within us-Let us
remember that our controversy is with
our bro,hers-thstw canno. wound them
and be ourselves free from pain. Let Us
not forget the ties OF nature, al the very
moment we are complaining that they do
Nay let US even thank this press for sug
costing 10 them not to trent US worse than
The old king did our fathers, and under
the soitening influence OF gratitude for
this small favour, let Us compose ourselves
to reason out this point.
But let US see if Il is so certain that our
sacrifice would accomplish even those
ends, maintained TO be the major interests;
for il might be the consolation Of some
noble victim, as he languished at the al
ter to be convinced that Re did not suffer
wholly in van,--Some one, who remem-
bered the sentiment Of the "d.vl eSarpe.
dom
UT let Us glory gam OF glory Btf"
might console himself with rejecting
"well if | am perishing, Ills that others
may flourish" Is it certain, Mir. Chair
man, that we could have any such balm
for bruisesl The truth is, nothing is more
uncertain than such speculations; and 10
get along in them with any toIerabls de-
gree of accuracy, We must take for our
guides principles and facts we'll ascertain
ed. Among those this seems TO be admit.
ted, that the great bulk OF trade will take
the cheapest route. Now. it is known
tina; barrel Of -four goes from Cincinnati
Ii 20 New Orleans for about 80 cents.
There is a variation in the price Of these
freighis, but from the information brought
10 the attention of the House of Delegates,
last winter, the freight on a barrel offlour
between the points just mentioned, ran.
ged from % to 35 cents, and ON produce
to Baltimore and Philadelphia by the way
of Pittsburg, from so to go cents per hun
bred. Now, is ii probable, much less, is
it certain, that the James River Improve.
ment can be completed on any plan, which
would enable it to carry goods as cheap +?
| sincerely wish this could be done; but
is there any hope of il : And ii not, how
is its completion OF such paramount i'm
portance ?-how is it when compared
with all other interests the major? 1t is
conceded that no good it promises to the
western counties of Virginia entities il to
that position, and if when it has reached
the banks of the Ohio il fails to secure
for our metropolis the trade Of that river,
this major will be degraded from his rank,
his hackers becomes minors, and surest
and most painful of all, his bankers, MN
as. Mr.. Chairman, it is we'll to joke a
little, to keep ourselves in good humour
while discussing this exciting question.
But it will be no joke to US or to the State,
il after this magnificent scheme shall have
been accomplished at fearful cost, i,
shall be found not to answer the great
purposes Of its projection. 1t is grievous
to apprehend this conclusion to hopes we
have so long cherished Of benefit TO the
State from this work: nor am yet prspa-
red to abandon them, nor to feel justified
in discouraging them. 1t lis too great an
interest to be dealt lightly with Blu.
this feel bound to say, that no man can
be so assured of lis success in command
ing the trade of the Ohio river, as to as
sert It's completion for that purpose TO be
major interest OF the State. And fur
Their maintain, that the Improvement of its
territory and people are of much more
consequence to the Commonwealth than
the growth of any other town or the prof
its of any Company, and therefore that
the ve:y augment urged to establish the
rivalry between the North West Raitoad
and the Central Canal proves that the
latter is not the major interest ofthe State.
And lastly on this point, | maintain that
it is absolutely certain that if the canal
shall be able to attract any of the trade
Of the Ohio from its present channels il
need never fear to have that taken from
it by a Railroad TO Parkersburg; for it is
beyond question that no Railroad can
carry freight as cheap as the rates above
mentioned.
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