Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1845-06-12

the west. On the contrary, the trade
along the western slope Of the line will
seek its outlet in the Valley Of the Mis-
sissippi instead Of going Eastward but
lffhe Convention is in error in this res.
pect, the Legislature has permitted The
Rail Road 10 be conducted 10 Wheeling
on the Ohio River, and the trade, which
! it is supposed might otherwise have pass.
ed along the line Of the James river, will
be drawn up 10 Wheeling il the read
should be made to terminate there, thence
along the Rail Road to Baltimore or the
other Atlantic markets, and thus obtain
choice ofmarksts at less expense Of mo.
ney and time, than upon the James River
line Of improvement, and this Convention
can perceive no reason for interdic.ing
the right to terminate the road at any in.
Ilermediate point between Wheeling and
the mouth OF the Little Kanawha liver,
that would not apply with equal forcs 10
making its terminus at Wheeling -
And whereas, this Convention having
thus examined. all the grounds Of oblec-
ton, thst NAV have influenced the egis.
Ilstlye action Of last winter, has arrived al
the conclusion that there exists nothing
in public policy, or the principles of right
and justice, that should deter them from
again applying to the Legislature, (if that
mode is most acceptable to the Legisla.
lure, to grant an independent charter TO
lconstruc, Rail Road, from some point
on the Potomac River, 10 the vicinity Of
Cumberland, 10 point on the Ohio River
above the mouth of the Little kanawha,
and they are led to do go notwithstanding
the passage Of the law of last winter, au-
thoflzlng the Baltimore and Ohio Rail
Road Company to extend the road TO
Wheeling. This Convenilon are satisfi-
ed as well from their belief that the most
conclusive reasons exist against the ac-
ceptsnce by the Company Of the law OF
last winter, as from assurances derived
!, from sources that command the entire
confidence Of the Convention, that the
Company wiH not accept the lar. The
} question is then narrowed down to this
point; shall this magnificent enterprise
terminate at Cumberland, or shall il be
extended through the territory of Virgin
ia 20 the Ohio River? Shall the People
5 Of the North. Western part of Virginia
+ be deprived forever of an outlet TO market
} or shall they be permitted by their owr
t means. or such as they can command
] without imposing any burdens upon the
; revenue Of the State, of improving theil
own country, and thus adding to the
wealth and political power of the State p
And whereas, this Convention will, il
] their opinion, have failed in their duty t
, their fellow citizens, in the other parts O
the State, and to the Legislature, if they
did not suggest some other reasons, tina
. have made strong impression upon The
{ members OF this convention why the pro
t posed right of way should promptly b,
/ extended as required by them--it canho
have escaped the observation Of any por
ton of our fellow citizens, that a strug
r gle is now going ON between the citizens
of the great commercial emporiums o
. Philadelphia, New York and Boston, (
, draw the Trade OF the West TO their les
pective cities; much has already beer
f done by each TO effect that object. Bal
tlmore, with becoming zeal and energy
is competitor for the splendid prize, an
she offers to Virginia participation in 4
for tue permission merely TO pass through
, her Territory. Has she not claims upor
, Virginia of character that ought no: L
be disregarded, situated upon that grea
I outlet to the Ocean, held III common By
Maryland and Virginia, the Chesapeake
Bay, as also being the point at which
large portion of Virginia, and particular
, ly the North. western portion Of it, are
, compelled to resort for the purpose o
f trade, city belonging 10 a State, linkec
, TO Virginia by her geographical position
and kindred associations and peculiar IN
terests. Can it be that Virginia will re-
fuse TO the citizens Of the State of Mary.
land, and to large portion OF her owl
citizens a participation in the rich trade
of the West TO the eminent danger O
alternating the affections OF both p
And whereas, we know that there is OF
important interest, IN tho Eastern portion
of the State, and which exists but 10
very limited extent in the North vest
That interest has been guarded by tn,
North West with fidelity not surpassed
by their Eastern brethren. Is i, pruden
on the part Of the latter 10 ALLEVIATE tho
affections, of people, situated as they
are would i not be wise, to have suc|
an improvement as that proposed, in orde
TO bind Maryland ana the North. west err
part of Virginia to Eastern Virginia 3
The proposed Rail Road in the opinion
of the Convention, would produce tina
effect, and it would do more; it would
attach to them, the great State of Ohio
by community Of interest and intercom
municaton -
And whereas, should il so happen tha
contrary 10 the dictates of sound policy
of justice and right, that the Legislature
will again refuse the application for an
extension of the proposed rail way, i, will
be the duty of the citizens Of the North
ives, to consider, how they can hes, assert
their rights, and in the mean time this
Convention on behalf of that portion Of
the Northwest, represented by them, as
an evidence of their erneS: determination
that their claims shall not be treated as
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