Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1851-02-19

1851.
/ SPEECH OF MIR. mCUE. OF AUGUSTA.
On the "Battr extending the pirgini0 Central Rail
road to the Ohio"
Mn. SPEAKER :-Distrusting my ability 10 do jus
tce 10 this most important propositions. must ask
the indulgence of the Houseor few moments, willis
attempt to urge some additional considerations Why
,his bill should pass do not frign modesy, when
saw ,ha, did no. expect TO sresspass OIL the time
of The House until ! came here this morning. There
were others. who expected would have spoken to-
day; but in this il appears am disappointed. My
remarks. then, must necessarily be impromplu and
desutory. In the remarks of The gentleman from
NORTHAMPTON. az also in those submitted by the gen.
,leman from Cumberland, the proprety OF making the
connexon between the the James River and the Ohio,
by the Lynchburg and Tennessee Railroad, as Tar as
the Summit, in the county Of Pulaski, and theuce
down New River, &C., is most sirenuously urged
To make this seem pIausible,h go into scomparl-
son Of distances from this place, to the mouth o In
dian Creek on the Greenbrier,a point common 10 bo'
Lynchburg and Tennessee and the Virginia Central
roads: and make the distance in favor Of the former
by several milestone fifteen ormore, Think. In ihls
they are most egregousy in error,I well satisfied,
from sketch made out for me, by gentleman con-
versant with the distances both routes, aud these
taken from the reports of Engineers who have last
surveyed each. This maP,is subjec! to the inspection
OF any one who will take pains TO examine it, will
not take more time ON this subec, now, than to say,
these gentlemen, strong anti Internal Improvement
men as they are, have manifested much sagacily in
attempting TO impress The House with the necessity
of adopting this line for The Ohio connection. Why
sir, is this so Because, forsooh, as soon as you
SOW discord among the friends of Internal improve
ment, You give aid and comfort to those who are
bound together to resis. lis prosecution.
What moro effectual means could they adopt to
defeat this bill than 10 produce feeling of rivalry
between two schemes which, in their conception,
were neuer looked upon as antagonistical' Well do
remember, sir, that three winters since, when both
of these schemes were urged with so much zeal and
ability before the Legislature then in session,no friend
of either or of boib as am proud TO say was,eyer
INDUCED in the belief that jealousy could be engen
dered between their friends. There was no propo-
son then to connect Them. i! seemed to be desir-
ed by the friends of both that they should dverge as
much possble,so that as large part OF the Com
monweallh as could be benefited might reap the cou
less blessings that would result from The completion of
EACH Both went on harmonously together Neither
ther could haze succeeded without help of the other
The one obtained charter and an appropriation to
reach the Tennessee line; the other content with
the liberal aid she received that enabled her to level
that hitherto impossible barrier, that divided and es-
tranged the two great divisions ofths good old Com
monweallh and this the more easily, because she
considered il guarantee from the State that she
was to be permitted TO find turminus on tie Ohio.
Irthis position be conroverteas TO the construc
ton that might justly be given to this &C, of that
sion, what, may ask, would be inferred from that
of the next session, when the powers OF The Compa
nv was extended, so as 10 enable them to 90 10 the
town of Covington3 But Mr.. Speaker, what would
be thought Of the wisdom Of that policy the part
of the Slate, that has not only invested her 10
the extent was going TO say Of millions, in this
Central road. hut given guarantees that she would
expend yet larger sums 10 stop short and throw
away the entire investment? Would she not break
her plghled faith TO the companies who are partners
with her in this work Would she not be wanting
in fidelity TO those citizens who have so literally
blended their means with hers in prosecuting this ELL
terprise9 Mos. certainly she would But why con-
sume time in arguing against so moDstrous propo-
sitoni ] hope that no one will be found who will
be Influenced by the sophistry Of the astute gentle
manlrom Northampton Before have done with
hinl must be pardoned for anticipating another ar
gument which understand will be urged by him in
support of his proposition 10 pursue the Lynchburg
and Tennessee road 10 New River, as q part Of The
road TO Guyandoue, because, says he, the road via
Siaunton ought to be diverted al tina, point from its
intended course 10 Covngton, and taken 10 Parkers-
burg. The gentleman manilesis most shameful de-
gree Of want Of knowledge OF the geography of his
native State, and Of the great physical obstacles that
make il impossible to create that unity of feeling and
Of interest among her people, which every one am
sure would desre-if he will persist in entertain
ing such an idea. 1t is so perfectly ridiculous that
lam almost constrained to believe the gentleman is not
serious in enterlaining. He is not singular, how
ever, in his opinion, sir. There was certain wise
and very sagacious Governor Of this Commonwealth
who did entertain this wild and sky-scraping idea,
within the memory Of most present. For the period
in which he occupied The gubernaoral chair, he
in anfested as great interest in much vexed local
question: batannoyedth this same railroad company. .and
which will be sufficiently designated by calling it
the Rockfsh and Powell's Gap difculty,as this same
gentleman OF Northampton does in strangling inter-
nal Improvement bills Tofavor his peculiar notions
TO one of these roues the Governor, in one Of his
messages indicated this same route for railroad to
Parkersburg; and only surrendered twhen he had
made some personal observations, with skilful en-.
gineer in company, as TO its praclcabty wish
the gentleman Of northampton had the opportunity
Frequently as have had,alhougi protesting no en-
gineering talent, arrive at Similar conclusions. He
would find succession Of high and steep mountains
with exceedingly narrow valleys crossing the track Of
his proposed Tairoad-and for the purpose Of i'm
pressing his memory the strongly with the phys
ica inpediments alluded to,I will give him memo
randa of the names OF some Of these mountains
Some lS miles from Siaunon he will stumble a.
gainst the Shenandoah Mountain pext Shaw's Ridge
the Bull Pasture Jack Mountain, Hevener's do Back
Greek do, the Allegheny Is miles across the form-
da5e Cheat where roams The elk and deer in their
unmnoesied fastnesses, and then The Rich Mountain,
Middle Fork, &C., together with all innumerable Sc
ries Of Shs as formidable 10 railroad as the Blue
Ridge itself. Why, sir, if The gentleman would think
of carrying his railroad in This direcon, it would be
most unquesiionably like those SO well known in
The free States Ohio especially, over which our slaves
are so expeditiously whipped off 10 Canada, known