Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1845-12-25

to the Ohio river, unless | expected TO pas,
through the heart Of Kentucky, or consld
cradle portion OF Tennessee, to reach IT,
Whence, then, this idle clamor about viola
lion of instructions and misrepresentation o
public sentiment in Richmond? In the frs
place, ! repeat, the public sentiment has no
been expressed--for no So men, unless an
pointed for that purpose. have any such au.
ihority; and. secondly, because as far as they
could express II, It was strictly observed by
the delegation, except as 10 the New Rive,
route-in favor Of which, after taxing thei,
utmost ingenuity, they could find nothing ia
advance.
Sir, | dismiss this branch of the subject
and proceed to furnish To ti,fs meeting the
reasons of my opposition to an extension OF
the James River and Kanawha Improvement,
beyond Buchanan, by presenting my general
views on the subject of Improvement in Vir.
GINA; and, in order that my opinions NAV
receive just so much and no more consider
alton than they are entitled to, will state
frankly, that it is subject upon which ! have
not devoted much time, although have. with
in limited period, reflected upon il as pro-
foundly as | was capable or Willis, have
at all times been an earnest and ardent friend
recoilect any case which came before me.
while was member of the State Legislature,
that seemed reasonable, as TO which with
held my and yet in regard TO the particular
plans and lines of Improvement, / always re-
lied more on the judgment of Others, whose
interests and professions led them To such
employment, than upon my own, which |
feared was inadequate to the task; aud it was
not until was appointed delegate TO the
flncasile Convention when felt that an inn
porant duty had devolved upon me, that |
laid the map open before me. and endeavored
TO satisfy myself of The most judicious plan of
Improvement that could be adopted by Vir-
gina TO raise her from the humble position
she occupiesi audit was not long before my
mind was brought 10 something like con-
ciusive' ana, may say, satisfactory deterni-
nation. so far as know, the plan is entire
~ original, for have read nothing and con-
versed with no one, that seemed, in the re-
motest degree, to aim a; such system as |
am about to propose. say this in order to
disParage and depreciate, as it perhaps ought,
the value that partial friends might be dis
posed 10 attach TO my views but at the same
lime, that they may have as much weight as
they are entitled 10, will add. that il is
question, upon the result of which have not
directly nor indirectly, the smallest imagina-
bic interest, beyond that which ought to in
tluence every really patriotic son of Virginia,
IN building up her fallen fortunes and elevat-
ing her to her proper rank among her sister
States; have no property at either end of
the line OF Improvement shall propose, nor
along the line; am no stakeholder in any
company whatever, and can neither be bene-
fitted nor injured, iii pecuniary point of
view, by lis success or failure.
regret TO say that have heard that those
from whom had the least right to expect it,
had lntimated that ] wished TO build M fame
and reputation for myself-and this was Tie
nam spring to my action. Sir, do not mean
TO deny that lhave Gndeed, should be sorry
to acknowledge that | was destitute Of what
might be regarded as laudabe and legitimate
ambition; but covet no higher fame, no
more exalted reputation, than 10 become an
humble instrument in building up the fallen
character and sinking fortunes of nv native
State, and elevating her 10 her true position,
such as she once occupied, and which, by
proper degree of enterprise and public spirit,
aud by proper and judicious application of
her means, she would never have lost: but
TO ascribe personal reputation or fame as the
ruling or controlling motive of the part
have taken in this or any other public interest
is as ungenerous as it is unlounded, let it come
from whatsoever quarter it may But let us
pass from this 10 the great subject of improve
ment, the part have taken and the plan
propose.
When The idea of connecting the waters of
The James and Ohio rivers was first projected
by those great men, whose names are so fire.
quently invoked III favor of canal line Of
Improvement, we must bear in mind that the
value OF steam was not known, and railroads
had no existence. What did General WASH
ngtoh, whose name never mention but with
leeling oil proper and becoming reverence,
Tor shall never cease 10 look upon him as
the wIsest among the wise, the greatest among
me great, ana the best among the good; but
what dld he know OF steam and Of railroads /?
aud why, III the present advanced stale of
science and of art, should we be asked TO 20
back TO his day and generation, TO determine
upon the most eligible mode of improving
the face of our country : While admit that
Tour miles an hour at that day. by slack wa
ter communication, was, both for trsnsporla-
ton and travel, most desirable moGe of i'm
provement, yet we all know that now it is
behind the spirit of the age. and altogether
upsulteG To- the accommodation OF the one or
the other, where steam can be applied and
even at so late period as when The James
River and Kanawha canal was undertaken.
grant you it might well have answered the
purposes for which it was designed vet since
that day great rival has sprung up in the
North and Northwest, in the Baltimore and
OHIO railroad company, with which we have
nn1 tvIf IL,
cesslully compete except by a continuous line
Of railroad cOr II :, H.. 49, IL, :, :. ,,noa,