Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1845-10-15
Improvement Of Ersinia.

The following very sound and lucid article from
the Wheeling Times, sure will be read
with general satisfaction.
The Times will have perceived, that ire TO
whom it appeals, have surrendered our preference
for the =. Western Rail Road-not that our judg.
ment has undergone any change, for We still think
that the route in the United States that promises
nationally, the most certain and the most splendid
rcsults-but, because the People OF that Region are
themselves opposed to 1t, and because without their
cooperation, IT were vain To attempt 1t IL would
be a frui,less consumption of effort aud energy,
and (at critical conJuncture, when Virginia
must act or resign the advantages OF her POSITION
a disastrous, possibly. an irreparable loss OF time
Surrendering most reluctantly, the =. w. Rail
Road, we prepared next to sustain that TO 1uy-
andoite. as the next lowest terminus on the Ono,
and as the next most direct, practicable and cheap
There are those. better qualified than We TO form
an enlightened opinion, who deem this route suPe.
rior to the o,her, and who think that 1t VIII draw
through Virginia n large share OF the ONO ana
kentucky trade, while 1t will equally command
the travel and the trade in light goods oil iennes
see, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana,
Texas, Herieo land no doubt in due time Cdiyor.
nidO
Perhaps the route to the Ohio or the Mississippi,
is a matter after all, of inferior consideration
One route may have advantages over the rest; but
the great and telling advantage Is 10 open route,
no matter which. and 10 open il with the least
possible delay. Once opened. the power Of Steam
will confer on it all the advantages which would
have accrued TO the more Thy nature) eligible
route.
Wheeling we hope, has nothing to fear from the
Legislature.
During Is years, the Legislature have steadily
and by annually increasing maJorities, refused
ri-s IF way 10 Baltimore, which, while il confer
red no practical advantage upon Virginia, save
the expe nditures in making the road, would sacri
flee III favor of that aspiring city, the natural adj
vantages, from position, of TINS Commonwealth
Norfolk and the low country, which to some
tent cooper ied the last winter with the Baltimore
application, feel SONS confidence, will now
abandon that unnatural alliance:
But this is clear and obviously equitable: that
Virginia ought either TO make her own improve.
ments, or, II she will not, concede the honor and
the profit of doing TO Baltimore: If al this
sion, the Legislature persist in doing nothing, then
we hope Baltimore will be allowed 10 tap oul trade
where she pleases.
Prom the Wheeling Times.
VIRGINIA IMPRovEMENTS.-We find in lie
pondent signing himself "SorrHEsNER. We have read
the various interesting letters OF writer with much
qualification. Although not always asserting 10 his
cusions could commend and admire his
and enlightened devotion To the advancement of noble
Commonwealth, and his strenuous efforts bring her peo
pie 10 appreciate and improve for her benefit the bound
less capacities with which Nature has endowed her, We
have already laid before readers his suggestion Of
Railroad from Richmond through Staunton to Parkers
burg, project upon the proprety OF which do not
feel competent without further nformaion pronounce
AZ.
TO our columns, the writer brings forward plan which
has long been familiar minds, aud II, he asserts
the OF is accomplishment ready, hes
tate that is matter of congraulauon all who
have at heart the greatness and glory Of Virginia We
aude TO the conjunction OF railroad to Rich
mond win he OHIO rver neither such railroad ought,
once, Richmond, from the head Of the
James River Csna-whetnes j. ought TO terminate
Guyandoue, Point Pleasant. or, for the present,
Charlesion-whother 1t ought in part to be made on sse
account, wholly by private cspia-these all second
AIRY questions which must be submitted the decision Of
practical minds mature consideration, But that the
grand enterprise Of Virginia ought 10 be railroad commu
ncation between the valleys OF the Ohio and James
appears 10 palpabe and indsPuiabe. IL 10 30 esy
OF accomplishment, that nothing but the most pabe
snplnsness cOgd ever cause II TO TAIL If attempted. in the
first place. it leeds only rail road from the lanes River
Canal TO the Great kanGwha, 10 furnish Virginia i'm
poyement equal IN capacity convenience, and cheapness
OF transport 10 other line between the East aud the
West A canal navigation OF the one end and steamboat
navigation of the other already in existence, would open
magnificent channel for between tide aud
and practicable railroad should be in operation That
gained and accomplished the further prosecution Of the
railroad. either esswardly 70 Richmond westwardy
the Ohio. would be an enerprIe Of manner Of Difficult
~, II should be found necessary advisable. !, ssd
by SOuthener" that Sl2 900 900 now ready he
invested in railroad from Richmond to Guyandote-
private capital II this be the fact when u TO trial,
mncb the better But in order be Of accomplish.
ing Whatever 10 undoaken 1t is safest TO undertake first
that which " palpsby Of easy accomplishment Five
millions most would construct railroad from the
james 10 "A WI " uOu
advance Virginia 10 high rank among the States which
compete for the trade Of the West. That alone would
furnish basis for system Of improvements that with lit
tie or no expense to the Commonwealth, would pen.
citrate every portion Of the Sale aud within
Virginia the eGhausess wealth. which they would develope.
The Wise men who first projected the James River IA
ndwha Canal may huye mak the m0de Of improve.
fnont but tie direction Of that work neither buDd-
er nor imPrUdence, but far-siged wisdom aud this
hiss been proved by the experience Of other States whose
success. with inferior facilities Of nature. compelled
10 Bdmfe. Where the eyes aud Of those
VrgiDians who begin doubt whether any improvement
between tic Aduuta and tho Ohio " u be Of the right
kindJ will be profitable
Let US suggest Especially TO the Richmond Wing the
consideration oi the question whether Virginia ought
met 60 give her attention TO this line Of Improvement
easy Ut completion and beneficial ~ tesusnsiend
II eIpendng her energy upon railroad in another dec.
on against the WISHES o tie people in hs quarter, sad
sVOwedy with e hope VI profit until t shall suit the
venicHce Of anpihT State ~ long pnd etpcn
work which she las adequate motive for undertaking
at oil. And " were completed, ought Vrgnii to prefer
the trade u Tennesses and Mississippi, and Arkansas
knowing that cotton will m find s best market snd cheap
est transport by way ri the Mississippi ryeIJ the
mece OF Kentucky Ohio. Indiana, Illinois and other parts
Of io where staples naturally tend 10 faher
than n southern MARKET
Bot these afe Suggestions by the way While
Rrecin for the policy which State hTBy snd wisely
5ins IN regard 10 the BALTIMORE and Ohio Railroad and
win. We hope 10 ttJDy the benefits Of that work yet
ra ne West has wealth enough io That profit BY and
acre will be enough to spare for the profit Of Virginia
And with sincere devotion ~ her property
that her shall be taken with spcb prudence
and aagaCy shall her every advantage that
Mature has placed within her reach We sympaihzs with
every aspiration for her greatness, interested IN
every plsn dat promises to her increase Of wealth
power honor"