Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1849-02-09
VOLUME xiv. NUMBER 81.

ern Railroad be built; then we will be within
one hundred and twenty miles OF Knoxville, 10
which point The Chattanooga Railroad will es
tend within two ars. The Tennessean, will
complet The link from Knoxville % the S!r-
gnia line, by the time We reach lie same
Then the trade OF Tennessee would take 'his
route instead Of The Southern one. The corn,
hemp, pork and -four Of that region and, ac-
cording TO some, the cotton, too, w0ui mud lis
way over our road, AMI market ia our ports
This connection would AT once secure all the
travel between the Northern cite, and New Or
leans, because it would be the quickest and the
safest. All the dry goods intended for the IN
terror of South Carolina. Georgia, Alaoama
aud Tennessee, to say nothing of the other
southwestern States, would c.ltainIy pass
over this road, because il would be- again the
quickest ard the safest The dangers Of Cape
Hatleras and the Florida reefs would be
avoided.
But apart from these considerations, which
are amply sufficient in Themselves 10 warran
the construction Of the work, even if the road
passed through desert; our own territory
holds out inducements 10 build il, should the
road stop at the Tennessee line, aud never 20
beyond it.
From The time the road passes The Blue
Ridge, it traycrses a. extremely rich and pro-
duclive country throughout is entire length,
Astounding in every variety Of soil, needful for
the production Of al the various crops of our
country. Nothing can surpass the richness
and lu1uriance q The ,crdurc, when Summer
unfolds its beauties to the eye.
o. the minerals Of this favored region We
need not agaiG say word. The rich sFeci-
mems which are exhibited in the Rotunda Of the
Capitol, have spoken sufficiently upon that
head. We can only add, that all accounts con.
cur that theJ are OF the greacs, possible varic
ty and richness; and, at the same time, found
in exhausuess abundance. The freight which
these minerals would afford 10 this road would
amply remunerate the State for its construc
ton
There is another Consideration which has &C
cured 10 us, although il is NOT much spoken o.
by the adyoca,eS ot the work. TIE road passes
through 4 country abounding in water power, 10
an extent sufficient 10 manufacture for the entire
United States, il no, Tor the world. New River
in It's entire lsngih, Constitutes almost one con-
linual mill seat is volume oi water Is immense
and is very ttle affected BY either The drought u
the summer, or lhe lrOsiS IL he winter A il
numerous tributaries are nearly OF the same cna-
racter. The Cotton OF Inc Son would hud ma
nuiaclories here; and The manufactured goods, a
road either 10 ne Atlantic 10! export, or 10 the
South for consumption.
We are inclined 10 believe ha there is rot o
be found in America, better country Tor WOO
growing than Souih Western Virginia. To The
very summils OF their hills and mountains, The
finest pasiurage Tor lhis useful animal !, 10 be
found in abundance. Al the foe. q every high
land, runs stream, upon which machinery
could be erected TO CONFER, is fleece into cloth.
The climate is mild and sal1bfcus. This
region is rich in mines, IN the proiuc,s OF The
earth, in Water power; rich in all !ae elements %
national strength aud greatness; lei 'hcse eso0r-
ces be developed, and there is enough OF riches
10 build up all The cities OF Virginia, 10 a size
and importance, which, without This improve
ment, not one OF them viii ever know.
Democrats as we are, we hold 10 The most rs id
construction o. the Federal Constitution and view
with Jealous scrutiny any attempt on the part Of
the Federal Government to lampet with the ques-
lion al Internal Improvements on our own or on
foreign soil. But the very considerations which
induce US 10 keep of the corfupting hand OF the
Federal Government from our Sfale Sovereign
lies, should urge Virginia herself 10 provide lol
her own house and secure her own independence
and prosperity. The times are pecuiar-passins
events indicate The possibility of each Southern
State being compelled to look 10 herself to asser
and defend her sovereignty against aggression
Does il mol, therefore deyolve upon Virginia I,
take all reasonable measures to unite her whcI,
people, East and West, by The bonds OF neges
aud good Ieelngl Thans Heaven |, the vo,,
upon the Conway Resolutions exhibited, in lht
clcaresl and prnudes' light, the gratifying tact
ha however our opponent, may count upon III,
| assumed divisions in our STATE, The people o
| Virginia in every section are true 10 lhemselve S
! 10 the Consiiiniici and 10 The blessed old Com
monweah Does il no, become oar Les,la;uI
! 10 keep alive AMI foster such noble feeling Q
union and cordially, by Stale works ol improve
ment which shall bind our state closely forever
| But, in doing 50. We would work no injustice L
! any section. Any scheme which should b
| adopted should promote "ihe greatest good Of III
greatest number" and benefit the East no less lha
The West We have approached Ibis qle> ic
with no sectional spril-no tavurilsm .owa!c
one quarter or prejudice agains another bu
! with catholic leelDg oil affection lor each an
every natural division OF the Stale. aud a cont
dent trust that, Oy judcous and enlshienu
system, ultimate good will rebound 10 The Who'll
Stale Far be il from Us 10 encourage any WI
and exravagaui scheme which would ooscur
the fair credit OF The S,ae; but, surely, The wjsdor
OF The Legislature can arrange some judiciou
| nlan 10 achieve 50 desirable result. The Soul
western Railroad We regard as an impJnar
component Of such system.
We trust that all local and sectional jea
ou,ies may be laid aside and forgotten, and III;
The Legislature of Virginia vii! come 10 the cor
sideration Of the question with that lofty and di:
nifcd purpose which The importance Of the subje,
SO imperauveiy demands