Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1845-09-17

Richmond, ever slow To act in such matters
and which appears peculiarly defective in the pow
or OF combination generally agreeing too in
opinion, aud We, unable from some social cause,
TO combine her eiiorts-Richmond has vet taken
no step promotivc of the Convention at Harrison
burg, called for the purpose of extending the
Louisa railroad now terminating at Gordonsville
on the borders Of Albemare and Orange, to lIar-
risonburg in the county Of Rockingham.
And vet. of all others who have moved or will
move in the accomplishment of this enterprise,
Richmond is by far the most deeply interested.
She will unquestionably recover hy means ot that
road when it is perfected, the flour trade OF the
upper James river, driven down the Valley by
the rash destruction Of the Blue Ridge canal, and
the suicidal increase Of tolls on the James river
canal Reaching Harrisonburg in It's transit 10
Baltimore down the Valley, that trade will na,ur-
ally prefer Richmond as nearer. as more cheaply
reached from that point than Baltimore, rs u flour
market no, Inferior To Baltimore itself, and rs
Home, Virginia market.
But, this is but Il very small portion of the ad-
vantage which will accrue The trade and pro-
duce Of Augusta, Rockingham, Shenandoah. Page
Madison and Orange, portion of Virginia ex-
ceeded By no other in fertility, production. and
agricultural resources, will he secured 10 Rich
mond. II viii be equivalent in the articles of
flour and grain TO at least one half OF the whole
James river production Fredericksburg will pro-
badly be destroyed, and for that we feel the most
sincere regret but in the great national con,en-
ton now in progress, we again repeat, we must
not regard localities. We must strike for Virgil
MIA only, and our aim must he To promote her
fortunes to retrieve here sinking prosperity, and
to enlarge and fortify her resources against that
day Of trial, which is certainly to come.
There will be, we are authorized To say, meet.
ing called in few days of the People of Rich
mond TO take into consideration the proposed en-
tension Of the Louisa Rail Road. There is time
enough but it is a reflection Richmond that
matter so nearly touching her cardinal interests,
has not already called forth more zeal, more encf
gy of proceeding, more promptitude and fire Of
action. We hope her ultimate vigor will atone
for her preceding procrast'nation.
To those who may take part in that meeting,
let us suggest the following thoughts Tor their
sideraiion and that ol the community.
I. This ought To be a local affair merely. The
Legislature ought not To be- asked 10 contribute
State assistance; first. because it is local 81, be
cause we Of Richmond, nay of all Virginia, ought
20 desire the Legislature Ia husband its resources
for the great South Western rail road, the only
ierprize which can restore Nrglaia TO her natural
and Just position IN the Coniederacy.
= The city OF Richmond ous hit IN her corporate
capacity. To subscribe S250,O0O = ID. work in
which she Is 81 deeply Interested, and the people
ought in public meeting to require it. An eNPend
;tur. which rei,rns i'm Oh, iuend five Ur six Der