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

and the falls of James river will be united by rail-
road and canal in bonds Of eternal fellowship.
The advantages of a connection at Louisville are
numerous and very striking. The navigation of
the river below tina. point is seldom, for any length
of tine impeded by ice in winter or the drought Of
summer and fall. Not SO above. With this con-
nection, the merchandise, intended 70. the winter
and early spring supplies Of very large portion of
the West, would mosi certainly be distributed from
Louisville, having reached there from the North
ern cities by this unlmpeded southern route, whilst
the water communication at the North would have
been closed, TO remain for months Afterwards
Nor is THERE any railroad north of us which could
compete successfully, with this combined water
line. and railroad in the transportation Of mer
| chandize or produce. The diminished distance
and the mild climate must settle in our favor,
beyond doubt, the question of competition
But this link of railroad from Covngton 10 Louis
| vile is but very short in the great chain,
of which il will certainly form part, stretching
from the great Atlantic ocean TO the shores of the
Pacific. The energy of the American people is a
reused on the subject Of this work. and its accom-
plishment has already been determined upon in the
public mind. i, cannot be believed that an i'm
pr6vement from which are to Row the osttaomen-
tous results, consequent upon any enterprise since
The discovery of the passage around the Cape Of
Good Hope will be long neglected by this great ard
prosperous nation. The fruits ofour glorious war
with Mexico will be imperftct-lhe monument which
the valor of nvincbe armies has erected to our
national grandeur and renown, will be unfinished,
without the construction of this most stupendous
work.
From the earliest history Of the world down to
this day, The commerce of India has been the prize
for which the nations of The earth have eagerly con-
tended. From the lime'when Hiram King Of Tyre,
sent his ships 10 bring gold from Ophir 10 decorate
the temple Of Solomon, down TO the last arrival of
British merchantmen at the East India docks in
London, there has never failed stream, bearing
upon its busom spices and rich Silks jewels and pure
gold, To give wealth, elegance, refinement and pow
er TO the nation ofpeople fortunate enough TO be IFS
recipient. Great cities have sprung up under IFS
invigorating influence, and WON for themselves an
immortal FAME But commerce changing into
different channel, has left these once Ouent marls
'desolation and reproach." The same conse-
quences which have followed for thousands Of years
upoh given cause, Cannot now fail in day and
country. BY means of our posse ssions on the Pa
clfic, the obstacle which this continent presents to
the direct line of vessels from India to Europe, is
not only removed, but made TO afford means, of
more rapid and safe intercourse Than the ocean it,
self could secure.
Ii the East India commerce then be brought
across our continent upon railroad that road seek
ing the hest route, must pass through the midst of
our commonwealth. From Norfolk, the best At
lan,ic seaport from any other tide-waer city Of
Virginia, there is no difficulty in reaching the city
of Louisville. AT this point the Ohocan be easily
brdged, affordng, II does, rock foundation
cross the entire channel From thence, through the
states of Indiana and Illinois, the ground is iavora
BILE for road, and the Mississippi itself furnishes
rock foundation for a bridge across IFS bosom, at
1.-THE Grand Tower" moi far above the mouth of
| The Ohio. From this, If rightly informed, ne.
water impose barriers The CONSTRUCTION of
railroad, until the magnificent bay Of San Fran
clsco shall be reached. There is nothing, then to
hinder car, laden with the rich silks and aromatic
| af India fl,p of tha
pursuing its continuous and uninterrupted course,
until its journey is completed, and it rests upon
the banks of The Chesap eake. To complete this
line 10 the frontiers of the United States, Virginia,
Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois and Missouri, are all
equally interested. These five great central states
are unequalled for fertility of soil and variety of pro-
duct, mineral and agricultural. That their united
efforts could achieve the completion of the work TO
our frontier, without materially feeling the burhen,
is beyond cavil or dispute. This view is not chi
merical. The object can be attained-the enter
prize will be accomplished.
There is already greater length of railroad in
the United States, than would, ii in single line
connect The Two great oceans-and the stock Of all
is profitable But the combined commerce Of all
these roads is but 1.-THE of that which would pass
across continent from Inda-how then could
the road fail to pay such profit would amply COM
peDsaie capital for lis construction
WecahR6t misunderstood OF fail to appreciate the
|
posed road TO Louisville, is most powerful means
of securing it 10 ourselves.
The legislature has been munIficent towards the
City Of Alexandria, since IFS Remuneration TO the
commonwealth land it is pleasing TO know that this
course is equally approved by the dictates Of wisdom
and of justice. This lberality has expedited the
completion of that really great work, the Chesa-
peake and Ohio canal, as far Cumberland, in the
state Of Maryland. Upon this canal now nearly
ready to be opened, presently will be transported
coal trade inferior to none In America, either in the
quantities carried down upon it, or in the quantity
of the mineral itself. Alexandra will be The chief
mart for it, and the commerce, thereby brought TO
her wharves, will not only resusciate her, but
must give such impulse 10 all her interests,
not fail TO raise the city high degree of prosperity
and advancement The works undertaken aud
proposed by her enerprising CITIZENS, leading into
The inferior, are important 10 her well being well
as that of the country proposed TO be reached by
them. These works deserve the patronage and sup
port o! the commonwealth.
The other public works Of the state are prosecu-
ted generally, believe, with energy, and promise
much usefulness. The Danve railroad compa-
ny is pushing on its work TO completion with great
vigor and as far as have been able TO ascertain,
on the most favorable terms.
The subject of reform has engaged the attention
Of our citizens more less, since the adoption
Of our present Heterogeneous and unwise constitution
it was the offspring of exaggerated sectional jeal-
ousy-not Of earnest desire 10 reform abuses too
infolerabIe to be borne. The evident disirust of
popular authority and control. which is written up
on every p1ge of il, has from its birth rendered il
Justly obnoxious to the people al large. 1t is most
unfortunate that greater concessions, not made
them 10 the exercise Of power by the peope-a
few alterations in some particulars would in all prob
ability have obviated the Necessity Of another con-
veniion for half century, Notwithstanding the in
herent defects of the constitution. These defects