Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-07-16
CHAR1oTrE c. H., June 10th, 1855


| My Dear Sir knowing the deep interest you take
in everything relating to the Richmond and Danvle
Railroad especially in your native county OF Charlotte,
have thought it would be acceptable to you to have
some slight of the steps taken in relation to that
subject the last court day.
There was very large and unusual number OF per-
present, many OF whom were doubtless attracted
by the trial which to take place before the examn
ing court of j. p Davis for the murder OF j. ii. Will
son. account of which appeared in the papers some
week ago. There was very great excitement on the
court ground in relation to this matter and very intense
anxiety manifested to witness the trial. 1t was under
STOOD however, at early hour, that Mr. Tunsta the
President, and others, connected with the Railroad
was present, and general inclination and desire TO
hear them upon that subject having been animated to
these gentlemen they consented to address the people
Mr.. Clifford OF the Directors OF the Com
pay took the stand, and after referring to the novelty
Of his position. being altogether unused, he said, to
speaking public, he entered into clear concise and
satisfactory exposition OF the condition OF the work
demonstrated its great value in cheapenng the cost of
transportation to market, the annual saving to each in
dividua in his crop of wheat and tobacco, and the
tices OF consumpt on brought in reurn-and its effect
in increasing and quadrupng the amount reproduction.
Stances and handled The subject in manner calculated
to carry conviction to the miad OF every one.
When Mr.. G. had concluded, which he. did by
thanking he audience in a courteous and concil
story manner-being, he said, stranger and not enli
tied to their considers tion-tEere general call
for Mr.. Tunstall. When that gentleman arose, he
seemed
tude or some otter cause, address the audience and
rather apoloesed for doing from the above sugges
tons, for the reason that he had met many OF them
before upon the subject AS however, he gres
sedhe grew warmer in the and need not tell YOU
who have heard him, how he progressed; he is in fact
as you recently called him, the neyer-talng Presi-
dent but always Equal 10 and up to his work. have
listened to him with unbounded delight many
casions, but never with more than on the present He
spoke OF the apathy that seemed to pervade the public
mind, and OF The region of the world where that apathy
,,liH a,iI t,nr ~
the energy public spirit and enterprise that lived and
hourshed every where else; that he had lately seen
some of the members OF committee, composed of CT
tizens OF Tennessee, Alabama and Mississippi, who
went all the way to Charleston, six hundred
miles, for the purpose ofsecuring subscriptions to the
Charleston and Memphis road, which road is to
meet in two ways with own-in South Carolina
and through Lynchburg-and yet. in this proud
Commonwealth, while speaking from Richmond
to the borders of South Carolina, he had heard
this subject the echo of voice scarcely, his
own. thought while he was upon this part of his
subject, every Virgnian telt sense OF shame come
upon him. and its bushes mantle bis cheek. He spoke
OF our former commercial and political pooer, and our
present oeakness-he appealed to our pride, pa
triosm and to that strongest OF all human motives,
that untrng and sleepess agent said he, which drives
us in our noon day hours and our midnight sumbers,
In our tempora. existence, that worm that dies,
our sci interest and we were not dead to the lowest
impulses OF humanity, as we were indifferent 10 the
highest, we must be up and doing But cannot give you
sketch even OF his effort Arguments clear, strong
and impregnabe, that they home to the simplest
understanding, took possession of the public judgment
and won its verdict. Rdicue, wit, sarcasm anecdoe
and eIoquence all to his aid, and such wa. his
happy hits now and then that Tennessee horse dro-
yer standing by said, "D-n if would not give $4,000
for him just to touch 'em UP in Tennessee"
could but look and reflect upon this gentleruan's eli.
FORTS on this and past occasions tor the last several
years-and contrast them with those OF some others
who figure be fore the Virginia public, without wonder
at popular opinion and the direction it often takes
How often mistakes and negects its benefactors
ana tniows Its incense upon the empest pretenders
who can show not single instance of self devotion
or beneh to the public. No voice has done more in
this commopw wealth than his, nor indeed half a, npcb
to arouse Virginia from her slumbers and absiracnns
TO wise and practical action and appreciation Of her
able friend OF Internal improvement from his first an
trance ino public ite amid opposition from every side
and every quarter, on the South side OF James river
she is at last mainly through his efforts, rising up to
| sense of her true interests.
| Her whole public voice has been potical-aud her
PUBLIC press has beea political: Politics have been
| our food, drink and raiment. The press even now
scarcely NOES anything ese-and the policy which has
made New ork the Empire State, in population re-
and power, and given strength PENNSYLVANIA
and Ohio, and daily adding to Them. has been contemn-
ed by public and public press until of late-rerv
late The efforts OF our press have been as often di.
reced 10 fdicule and eer The efforts Of those of her
who have aboured at the great cause ofmprove-
ment tney have TO cheer and sustain-and not the
least happy and to the opuar aste pleasing portion of
MIR. Tunstals effort the other day. when he called
attention to these political contests, and strife of the
Glada tors But excuse me. | warm Internal
Improvement man, and have been huri into this lon
ger notice than intended. The people ,hnk will
certainly make subscription OF $4,000 to the road
The Cor made order to take the vote, and Judging
from all saw and head, l think the Railroad will car
ry all before it, Yours, &c.