Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1846-12-17

cries that are gone?
In laying my views before you, gentlemen, up'
this most important subject. Ii am very sensible tn
l may be liable to severe NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
may disappoint some and offend others. But l 10,
my state too sincercly--I am too deeply anxious 4;
her thorough development, TO hesitate i'm the pei
forinance OF my duty. am prepared to incur til
responsibility OF those vigorous measures which
shall cheerfully recommend, and which, | sincere
ly hope. you will sanction and approve
The age is utilitarian. Whether or not Tho
wonderful discoveries of physical science are the
cause the effect of this condition of the world il
is needless TO enquire. But the march of improve
ment is onward; the most imposing distractions
are readily overcome; time and space are almost
annhated, and the most remote parts Of the earth
are made to feel dependent on each other, and to
recognize, to some extent, a common interest Vir-
ginia will not consent TO give up her rightful part
I'm this mighty Observation-Disclosures within her
limits two routes of great Importance to the Union,
and of incalculablc value to the country through
which they pass, the people require an early con
structlon upon them of some improved highway
Virginia has always denied to the Federal Govern
ment the constitutional right of carrying on sys-
ten of improvement. Even if the right existed,
Virginia would, am persuaded. resist its exercise,
because within the scope of State ability and ne
cessarily involving large increase of power in the
Federal Government But let il not be forgotten,
that II is easy to be brought believe that to be
right which corresponds habitlaly with our wishes
and interests, and that if the State refuse to carry
out those improvements, it may come to be thought
! that the power to complete them resides in and
must be exercised by the Federal Government I
call upon those then, who entertain this view of
Federal power, to yield TO the spirit of the age and
boldly call out now. without another years DELAY
the inert powers of the State for her own renova-
ton and improvement
In bringing this interesting subject to your consi-
Iteration, | shall be excused, | trust, for pressing
upon you, of your patriotic duties that of
discarding all local and sectional feelings and in
tereste. 1t is Virginia, one and ndevisiblc; who
has called us to consult 10 her condition. to de-
velop her wealth, TO protect her interests and TO adj
vance her greatness. Let us select certain great
Improvements and determine to complete them.
Let us concentrate all our ample means upon them
And with the patriotism which ennobIes the heart
that possesses it, let with cheeriulness and alac-
nty postpone our own cherished Objects until our
grand design is consummated.
The great Improvements which I contemplate
1t Is also my desire To see carried on upon State
account The principle of improvement which has
long prevailed in our State is unsound. Expert
ence has proved it. Under the delusve idea that
the public were to oe protected against improvi-
dent investment, by an association with private in
ierest, we have sunk at least two millions of dol
lars. Nor is this all Such associations frequent
ly embarrass If they do not control the policy of the
State. 1t is an entangling alliance not in fact be-
nefical to the State individual Stockholder but
after be formed. Let the State build such improve
ments as may be regarded State works. and
leave the tributaries to spring ont of local sec
tonal necessity and be the works Of individual en-
terprlse and means.
The two great works have TO recommend 10 YOU
ne railroads the one to commence at Buchanan,
the other at Gordonsville. The one first named
will proceed through the great Southwestern VAL
ley, developing the finest mountain country in Vir-
glnia, and perhaps in the world, until it reaches the
Tennessee line. From this point; ! am satisfied,
Tennessee will take up the improvement and carry
1t on TO Knoxville, and down the Tennessee river
to the Alabama line and that it will be carried on
to the city of New Orleans By the Intervening
States. This great improvement will inteisect the
HiwasSee railroad in Tennessee, thus tapping the
great work running from Memphis OH the Mississippi
to Georgia and North Carolina Let lis give q
pledge, that this work shall be commenced without
delay, and prosecuted to its completion. Let US
send delegation to the States through which this
route passes, and invoke simultaneous movement:
and we SHALL In a few years. this great work
completed-eXhlbtng railroad of unequalled ex-
tent and importance and which will pour flood Of
wealth into Virginia which will raise her to a posi-
ton as proud and as lofty claimed for her in
her palmest days
The second great railway that / propose, is to
commence at Gordonsyiile and is to terminate on
the kanaWha or Ohio river. In selecting the loca-
lion Of this route, propose to press as far North as
practicable My desire is to reach the head waters
of the Greenbrier, the Elk the Little Kama $yha:
| the Cheat and the Tygarts valley rivers. wish
to reach that summit level, if possible, with the
main stem, because from that point Improvements
might Move off down the valleys of those rivers
and returning, bring to the parent stem the rich
productions of the West. 1T is believed that this
scheme will have to encounter great physical diff
culcs. That they are great readily grant but
do not believe them to be as serious as are appre
hended. The outlay may be heavy. greater than
on any other routes; but enterprise and perseverance
guided by science are inviicible, and the eGuyo-
lent will be found in the numerous and important
advantages which this route will secure to Virgin
ia First it will retain within our State large a
mount of produce which now goes to Baltimore
Secondly, 1t will carry great improvement within
easy reach of the whole of Northwestern Virginia.
especially that part Of it which is now anxious for
what may be termed Ike Baltimore right of 7unr
Third, 1t viii give to large section of the State
now without an adequate road, the Fery best known
style of improvement. Fourth il will concentrates
within own State the resources and affections Of
her population, and put an end to the ambitious and
selfish schemng of foreign corporation Fifth. it
will connect us with the Ohio and enable us sue
cessiully 10 contend with the whole world for tho
trade of the Western yalIies. These advantages
may be ours, and indispensable to our real pros
petlty ard independence.
But this work must be commenced at once and
with II must be associated the assurance of its
dy prosecution. This, with knowledge Of the
TACT, that this city affords the best Grain market
south OF New York, will, doubt not satisfy those
parts OF Virginia interested in the ripbt Of way.
Let us carry on this important in,rrovemept viii
az reasonable despatch, and no Vifgihian who feels
IN true aud proper spirit the honor and glory of
the name, will desire to separate from his brethren
and unite his business, and of course his attach
/ ments, with another State