Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1852-03-29

BOa10.
We have hitherto absfained from any
| comments whatever. upon the efforts max
ing by the stockholders of the Orange and
Alexandra Railroad, to extend that road
to this place. We have chosen to pur-
sue this course, because we had as much
to do in railway matters. on tins side the
James, as we cared to have, and because
we knew that those who had charge OF
the road in question were abundantly
able TO tukc care ofits interests. But since
our bretheren Of the Lynchburg Press have
thought proper to array themselves against
the proposed connection Of our town with
the Federal capital, and all places North
of it. by the shortest possible line Of COM
munication, we feel bound 10 make known
our views; lest silence might be interprc-
ted to mean acquiescence in the opinions
of the Republican and the Express.
We disagree entirely with those jour
nails: we not only desire that the Orange
and Alexandra Railroad should be ex-
tended to Lynchburg. but. were it in our
power. we would most chcerfully aid in
the speedy accomplishment of that object.
Whilst we thus avow ourselves the de-
cided friends Of the scheme. we protest
against any inference being drawn there
from. that we have modified any opin-
ion heretofore expressed. through the co
lumns Of the Virginian, with regard to the
great importance. indeed the indispen:a-
BILE necessity, of railway connection
with Norfolk. Petersburg and Richmond.
We advocate the Orange and Alexandra
extension, because, without it we cannot
command the through travel. destined for
the city Of Washington, and places north
Of it. while with it. we can. against all com
petition. come whence it may.
What we mean by the through travel
is that which should come upon our road
from lower East Tennessee, Alabama and
Mississippi, with all that may be induced
to abandon the Mississippi at Memphis
II is idle to think that this travel will come
to Lynchburg.if it has to 60 to Richmond.
on its route TO Baltimore, Philadelphia,
New York and Boston. 1t never can be
induced to pass over two sides Of triangle.
to please our friends in Petersburg or Rich
mond. To do SO is against the spirit OF
the age; against the interest of the travel
Ter, and in conflict with all our American
notions Of hurrying through the world.
Give US this road and it will bring along
it to the tiJe-watcr cities of Virginia. vast
amount Of tonnage and traffic, that would
never reach those cities, without it, and
which will greatly aid in cheapcning tran
sit charges.
1t has always seemed to US very ex-
traordinary, that the friends of the South
Side railroad, or the Danvillc road, should
object to this connection upon the ground,
that, if made, the trade would cross ames
river, and go to Alexandria. What are
the facts of the easel Alexandria mas a.
bout eight thousand inhabitants: Peters
burg has about twelve: Richmond near
thirty: Norfolk fifteen to sixteen Alex
andria is farther from the ocean than either
Richmond or Petersburg, and has no bet
ter harbor than City Point, the common
port of both those cities. The Railroad
distance from Lynchburg to Alexandra.
cannot be less than one hundred and
seventy nine miles. Whilst 10 Richmond
or Petersburg. it is only 1872, and to City
Point only l3o miles. The canal line. from
Lynchburg to Richmond, is one hundred
and forty-six miles. What was it that the
friends Of the South Side railroad proposed
to do. when they asked the Legislature for
their charterl Nothing more nor less thar
to give to the upper country, better
way to market than do,cn the Canal; and
they did persuade the Legislature, that
the public interest " ould be greatly pro-
NOTED, by opening this better way to mar
ket, for the products Of the West and
South West, that should como to Lynch
burg; and their charter was granted. But
before they reach Lynchburg. where the
competition is to commence, between their
work and the canal, they become greatly
alarmed at the possibility. that by the time
they reach Lynchburg. a railway may be
made, .ttiy-siz miles longer than Meir road
to Petersburg. and jorty.tour miles longer
than their road. rith tie City Point road
aided, and rob them ofthe golden harvest.
they expected to reap whilst competing,
rith the Canal alone.
We have, we must say. always regar-
ded this outcry Of our South Side friends,
as rather shallow device TO alarm timid
Legislators. We would like to know wha,
chance the Orange and Alexandra road
will stand in competing for the tonnage, a.
gainst arailway competent to divert tonnage
from the james River and Kanawha Ca
nal! 1t is useless to attempt to impose
such unreasonable and ridiculous things
upon intelligent men, nowadays. The
subject Of railway transit and all the laws
governing it, are better understood now,
than some mon imaginel
But apart from these views, we place
our advocacy of the Orange and Alexan-
dria extension upon higher and broader
grounds. We are opposed to all schemes
and projects designed to obs,ruct the great
inland commerce. IF our conptrv bv twist