Wheeling times and advertiser. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1839-1849, 1845-05-31

~ we hotiCtu a lew udNS ago series oil
articles ON the subject of the James River &
hanawha Improvement, which were recently
published in the Lynchburgh Virginian and |
copied in some other papers in the State. For
the purpose of showing our readers TO what
conclusions the writer comes upon subject
which appears TO be exciting general interst
at present, and more particularly, to let them
see the relation which this work is conceived |
to bear to thatwhich we hope is destined 20 |
connect our city with the Atlantic-we copy
the last article of the series to-day
From the Virginian.
THE JAMES RIVER AND KANAWHA
MPROVEMENT.-No 6.-Having arrived
at the conclusion that the James River and
hanawha improvement can be eifectually
completed IN afew years, and at an expense not
exceeding four and half millions of dollars.
shall offer no calculation or estimate of the
proportion OF that expense which must fall up
ON the State. il is of course desirable that as
much as possible should be contributed by 9TH
ers But Whatever may be though
it should be tie whole additional capi,al--the
State ought without hesitation to subscribe.
The means of the Commonwealth are ade-
9uate; the inducements more than sufficient.
The State does not stand in the light of pri-
vate stakeholder, looking for returns on her in
Nestments merely TO the revenue of the work
Such work opens for her sources of revenue
oi winch the private stakeholder has no share.
from all the increased value of taxable prom
cry along the line and its tributaries; from
all the mineral wealth developed by the work;
from all the immense commerce which ii
draws within her borders from the country
which it enriches, and the towns which il
builds; from all these the State draws profits
lar superior 10 the direct income on the stock
III, therefore, the capital of individuals fails in
AN enterprise of such national magnitude and
importance, the Commonwealth should not
abandon 1t: But if her most vigorous action
can insure ITS completion, she ought promptly
TO supply the means of its prosecution.
While we are idle, the most favorable time
Tor constructing such works may pass away
And what Is more important while we are
IDLE, other States are employed with perseve-
ring activity IN drawing the trade and travel
oil the country into other channels. Some
presuming on the seeming apathy of Virginia
III relation to her great central work, and en-
couraged perhaps by those disloyal Virginans
who propose TO abandon il, have even ventur-
ed to thrust themselves upon us, and demand
Tree passage, through the heart of our territory,
Tor the rival works of other States. Thus, in
stead oil applying our energies to build up an
.
have us depend on channels of trade leading
TO other States, and make us in fact the tribu-
tarles oil our smaller ncighbors. One attempt
oil TINS nature is too recent To be forgotten
and should teach this commonwealth to act
with such vigor in prosecuting her own public
works as shall eilcctually repel the intrusion
of her rivals
The value of a great improvement like this
cannot be wholly counted in dollars and cents.
m nj t.an ,,,tI to.
cuniary advantages, the mind is embarrassed
with the magnitude of the computation. But
these include only part of its benefits. To
these must be added the happy effects of break
ing down wall OF separation between East
em and Western Virginia-of bringing the
inhabitants into friendly intercourse, and
frequent interchange of commodities-of di-
versliylng the pursuit and increasing the mum
per and comforts of our people-of establish
ing the relations of commerce between our
chief cities and the remotest parts of the coun-
try-and of securing TO the State the full infu-
ence OF her fortunate position in the Union.
The tendency OF such work to strengthen
the ties which unite the several parts OF our
country, was one of the arguments with which
Washington urged his native State to under
take this very improvement. Then, indeed,
he gave IT IN charge 10 Virginia, as the most
powerful and wealthy among the States, and
Therefore the most competent to achieve the
national work of connecting the Valley of the
Mississippi with the Atlantic That conncc-
ton has been made; but not by Virginia.
Other States, some of which were then unborn,
have constructed more arduous and costly
works, and opened wide the channels of trade:
Virginia has her work but half accomplished.
Yet, with her means unimpaired, it is serious
ly questioned whether she shall abandon all
that she has done, or by vigorous effort out
strip hergenerous rivals, and regain her ancient
pre-emlnence If the prospect of gain does
not incite us, surely TO restore the rank, to ex-
alt rhe name and to establish the power of our
renowned Commonwealth, are objects dear to
us all, and worth more than all the efforts now
required of us. CLINTON.