Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1850-06-06
From The ,IonesboroHQh journal.
VIRGINIA AND TENNESSEE
al27 Il
S. GARLAND.
NJ {. BASS.

Among all the works of Internal Improvement which
nave been constructed or contemplated in the United
States, the great central route from Lynchhng To Mem
pms, so as To connect the waters OF the Mississippi with
the Atlantic, whether REGARDED in lis ianuence upan the
whole Union or in its particular bearing upon Virginia
aid Tennessee is o paramount Importance Fifty wears
ago Virginia ranked AMONGST the frs, States of The nion
In point OF commercial importance but whlo other States
have been concentrating all their commetcal enterprise
at one point, building up great cities, which by Their i'm
pulses. has thrown life and energy throughout Virginia
and tennessee, being distracted by sectional interests
nave wasted Their energies upon different rival points
Virginia would have held her relative importance in
Tue union mad she concentrated her enterprise upon Rich
mohd Norfolk or some point on her Tide waters and
opened the line OF ntecommunlcaton between The James
and Mississippi rivers fifty years AGO as she is now no
bly, pledged 10 do, as far her erory extends and at
iorded to tennessee that outlet which would have made
both States the hes, in many respects in the Union
single glance at the map of the United States will
show the wisdom OF the course the people of Vrunia
have at last adopted and that the course of improve
mont now in progress, affords The shortest and most d
rect route from the Mississippi to the Atlantic and that
with reference to the natural advantages Of different pla
ces along The coasi of the Unfd States The eve would
res, upon Norfolk CT some point the mouth Of The
Chesapeake Bay, as the site of great commercial CT
ty.
We hope. and now feel confident tina! Virginia with
all her superior advantages will cease to present the
Illuminating spectacle Of The largest and oldest state in
Connected with this great Improvement is the fact that
New York. Philadephia Boston and all the eastern cities
would also derive great advantages in having a safe and
open route for tho transportation of merchandise into the
Mississippi valley by way of Richmond. while their more
northern channels are blocked up, Thus every portion
OF the United States would feel the beneficial effects of
this great improvement. which in fact opens direct
lhorougtae through the centre and very heart of this
Union
1t cannot be but Virpinans must see lis vast i'm
mort nd tIotl L.,
from his s'urnbers they will prosecute with all their vi
goT SO noble aud gigantic enterprise and tina, the cit
zens of depressed and s1rken East Tennessee will pni on
all Their strength and band Of brothers aid by every
means IN their power this Improvement which in point Of
nationality no work in the Union can compare
Assuming these general views TO be correct other rca
sons may be urged showing The important barring If this
enterprise upon the interests Of Virginia and Tennessee
beng alike each divided by range Of mountains. which
has heretofore, in imagination, separated their interest
In the rst place this great central railroad would rengh
EN- the bonds of union between the and western
portions Of each state and by ndssouble union advance
inc happiness and prosperity Of he whole.
In their central posi- ions in the unon in their mild
and Delightful climate the noble Chesapeake of Virginia
and majestic rivers OF Tennessee in their inc xhausbe
resources of mineral wealth and manufacturing sdyanta
ges no states in the Union possess more Of the elements
OF greatness and power than Virginia and Tennessee.
These elements however. only be made subserv-
eht 10 hir prosperity by the union Of their whole people
anu hotiS WIZ 50 strongly cement them III eeng and
Interest, as the construction of this great work. The
sectional anlmosies of The eastern, middle and western
portions of the states would longer be known but each
would simulate the other to greater developments, of
their peculiar and thus advance the great com
me'clal agricultural and manufacturing eres Of the
whole.
We would now ask, shall little minor matters If local
interest illustrate the final completion OF the work shall
differences of opinion the manner of its completion
reiard its progress tris not, bnt that our peculiar
domestic OF foreign to ruc tho road sectional
Interests creating different views To It's l1cavn will
not be permitted to relax energies aud impair
means, as 10 prolong the Accomplishment, Of a work