Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1845-05-19
ron rur yiReiNIAN.
THE JAMES RIVER kANANlA I'M
PROVEhik.Nr-No G.

Having arrived AT the conclusion that the James Riv
eI and kans~ hs improvement be etleeiuslly
pleied ~ INV years. aud at expense exceeding
t"ur aud half nons Of dollars, shall niier ~, cacu.
''''"n % estimate OF The prnpnn Of that eApehse which
must tall upon the State is Of desirable thai
Is much as possible should be contributed hy others But
Whatever may be necessary though 1t should be the
Whole additional cspila-ihe State ought without hest
tation 10 subscribe. The means Of the Cumonw h
are adequate; the Inducements more than sufficient.
he State dives not stand IN the lisai Of private stock
holder, lacking Tor returns her investments merely
10 the revenue Of the work. Such a wurk opens ior
her sources o revenue ot which the private stakeholder
has no share. From sll the increased value uf taxable
property along the line and It's tributaries; from all the
mineral wealth developed by The work; inum all the
immense commerce which it draws within her borders;
tom the country which ebriches. and the which
builds; tfom all these the State draws pr fits supe
ror To the direct income the stuck H. therefore, the
capital OF individuals fails in enterprise OF such
i'onzl magnitude aud Importance, the Common wealth
should not abandon II. But If her most vigorous action
can insure lis completion, she ought promptly supply
the means III lis prosecution.
While We are idle, the most favorable time fn ron.
srnc'lng such works may PASS away. And what Is
more important, while are idle other States are EN-
Pioyed win perseveng activity IN drawing The trade
and travel OF the country into other channels. Some
pr'suming ON The seeming apathy Of rginIa in relation
~ her reat central wok and encouraged pefhaps by
ihose dlsloyal NIrpinlais who rra,nse abaudun II.
demand Tree passage. through ih heart II territory
Tor the rval works Of other States. Thus instead OF
applying our energies To build up independent system
oi our own, they would have US depend channels oi
trade leading 10 other States. aud make us in fact the
tributaries OF our smaller nrs hbors. One attempt ii
THIS nature Is 'oo recent 10 be ryoenand should teach
Tins communicable 10 with such vigur in p,osrcn
ting her own public works shall erctually repe the
RifUsun III her rivas
The value ot great Improvement like this cannot
'e wholly counted IN dollars and cents Even in armp-
ting To estimate lis dim wcunaty advantages the
mind Is enb ,rrassed with the ma ,nudr Ut the compu
ia'nn but these include only part Of lis benefits.
10 these must be- added the happy lets OF breaking
dawn wall "f separation between Eastern and Western
Nrgina-ot bringing the lnhaban,s into friendly inter
c''uIs' and frequent interchange of cummodliie
dSefs''ying the PURSUITS and inc easing the number and
co'fpris ot our pcOpeof establishing the relations Of
commerce. between chief cliies aud the feiucst
parts OF the conny-and of securing to the State the
iull innnence OF her fortunate position in the Union
he tendency Of such work tsireng the ties which
unite the several parts Of country of the
arguments with which Washington urged his native
State :" undertake this very improsrnr Then, In
deed. he gave II in charge 10 Virginia the most pow
erlul and wealthy among the States, and therefore the
most cnmp-lent achieve the national work of cannes
ting the Valley of the Mississippi with the Atlantic.
That cnnneciion has been made; but moi by Virginia
O,her States, some Of v bch were then unborn. have
constructed more srduous and costly works and opened
wide the channels of trade: Virginia has her work hui
half accomplished. Yet, with her means unmpard, il
is seriously questioned whether she shall abandon III
thai she has done. or by vgoruns effort onstrip her
generous rivals and regain her ancient rre.tm lnence
II the prospect ogan does moi lnciie rs surely To re-
eore the rank 10 exat The name aud to establish the
power OF our renowned Commonw ealih objects dear
To us all. and worth more than all the efforts nav res
qnired ofus. CLINTON.