Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-05-12
Advantages Of Rail Roaas.


So far as railroads and their advantages,
have been considered in this section of
country, the investigation has not ex-
tended beyond the revolution which
they would effect in the transportation
of agricultural products, merchandise,
travel and the consequent improve
ment of lands and buildings. Why
it is so, is we presume, that every advo-
cate of this mode Improvement who has
informed himself of all the beneficial re-
suits which they can possibly confer, pre-
fers to submit for consideration those facts
and figures only which plain and self
evident demonstration will justify, leaving
for the actual effects which will be realized,
to fill up all those minor results which,
perhaps, might have subjected him to the
appellation of Meorist, if all had been
pressed at once.
The quick and safe transportation OF
produce, merchandise and passengers is
not all ofthe great purposes which Rail
roads are for, but another chief value is to be
found in the conveniences to domestic and
social life which they confer. The pro-
gress which our own great work is ma
king, bids fair, at no distant day. to sub
init, in naked facts, those truths in regard
to the first named advantages, which too
many have been slow in believing. When
this shall be accomplished, and the depots
along the line and at the terminus shall
demonstrate the capacity ola country rich
and genialin soil and climate, with innumer-
able resources, the development of which
will startle the nation; then 1t will be that,
thelatter advantages will just begin to I'M
fold themselves to view. In times past,and
at the present, many, after the acquire
ment ofwealth, consequent upon industry
economy and enterprise, have sought rural
retreats in which to spend the evening OF
life, becausethe very means by which they
have conducted prosperous business, land
which required all their mental and physi
cal ability in middle age, now becomes too
burdensome to declining years. Along the
line of the Southwestern road, there are
| thousands Of locations that will be sought
when it can be realized that an ordinary
country ride of four Or FIVE miles is attcn-
ded with more difficulty than ten times the
distance on a railroad. Nor will the de.
sire for a country home be confined to
those who wish for relaxation of cares
or desire repose from the burden of close
pursuits, but the most practical business
man will become attached to the Lovel-
ity which he can so easily realise of ming
ling the retirement which is sought at the
close Of day from the avocation of the busy
hour, in the still more busy town, with the
evening sunsets ofcountry, the balmy all
and lovely flowers. Fixed hours which will
Of course, govern arrivals ard departures
will not affect this desire at all, if in any
way,they will be an advantage. This great
machinery ofdomestic happiness and So
cial intercourse, has impaired rich bless
ings in manifold instances, where its instru.
mentality has been properly applied. II
equalizes time and distance, and brings into
close alliance, pursuits which have been
strangers to each other. 1t untes the hum
Of the noisy town with the stiffness of the
forests and the melody ofits warblcrs, and
brings all the pursuits of life in the quick
est range ofthought, which prudent rehec-
ton can give them.