Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1846-05-01

dT We learn from the last Dsnville Reporter, that
on the Monday preceding the late Election, an animated
discussion took place. Psylvana Court House, on the
subject OF the improvement OF the Roanoke Navigation
It's necessity aud its advantages lucidy and warmly
enforced BY Gen. b. W. S. Cabel, w. p. Tansisll and
James Lsner. aud vehementy denied by Capt. Walter
Coles the late representative in Congress from that Dis
uet who only asserted that the scheme promised
bene, to that particular locality, but who opposed
threatening the subversion Of the liberties OF the
Try" Capt Coles is OF the intelligent. wealthy
and influential gentlemen that section Of the Common
weahone who has had peculiar opportunities OF aeqair-
ing information upon subjects OF this character and who
therefore necessarily extensive influence upon
the opinions OF the people among whom he rerdes But
his views the important because they may be
garded the type OF those of very large and ntegcn,
class OF the community in that section Of the Common
wealth. in reference this vital question Of State policy
the almost unvaying hostility Of which works OF inter
nal improvement incidentally adverted to day two
since. Emiuenty worthy those gentlemen may be OF
regard in all the private relations of life II is obvious that
they hang, like dead weights, the Of State
progress. Il is to opinions such those express
ed by Captain Coles. sedulousy and constantly nculca
ted the minds OF the body OF the people Of that section
OF Vgns the natural advantages Of which unsurPass
ed BY those OF any other portion OF the State that more
than all other combined have prevented the develop
Of the OF vrgnIa, diminished her popu
aion and deprived her OF the rank which she might
otherwise have attained the confederacy of which she
formerly the powerful member bu, in which she
finds herself reduced in point OF population, and
sequeny OF political power aud influence below not only
many the old States but several OF those which
the home Of the savage when she tone and direction
the policy of the Government. They not Only turn
deaf applications for aid, from other portions OF the
State, abounding in all the elements OF national wealth
and prosperity but which, owing to the difficulty aud cost Of
getting them to market contribute nothing to swell the ng-
gregatc Of that wealth. but like the dog in the mangcr they
refuse accept the aid OF the Legislature themselves in the
improvement of their rvers-ss ii, according to the
idea Of fanatic OF whom we have read they deem
it presumptuous sin open the channels and remove
distractions from the beds OF which Providence
wiser than they has rendered unnavgable! Luderous as
this position IS strikes being scarcely less than
the strange idea OF Captain Coles, that the liberties OF the
Country endangered by wise and prudent employ
the funds Of the State the extension and muIup
of the OF communication between the produ
cling and the consuming portions OF its people 1t Is
nevertheless it is remarkable that such opinions
those expressed by Capt Coles extensively nay,
almost universally prevalent in the Roanoke Valley,
and indeed in the entire region OF country be-
tween the Roanoke and the James. There IS but one
mode imagae, Of eradieaung these OPInOns-snd we
have very implicit confidence in the success OF that
Argument, satisfied will be unAvailng-for argu-
men has been exhausted long ago. We must, then, give
them the benefit OF experience. by improving their eondi
despite Of them, and WANING them to Wis
er creed by practical eIempieat Of It's blessings
They vii then perhaps be ling dispense them others
with liberal hand We think may safely Capt
Coles all events that II "lhe Liberties Of the country"
subvertcd by oher agencies they will be in dam
ger from Canals aud Railroads. though the other OF
these facilities should pass by the door of every in the
Commonwealth. And, by the way, glad to perceive
by the re election Of Me.srs Lanie and Tunsa that the
good people Pit,yvania have apprehension
We that so serious a cassu PIE will result from the nIrO
docion Of navigation upon the Roanoke.