Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1852-01-20

tons heretofore made for internal Improvement pur.
poses 70 earnestly demand, and which their final
completion cannot fail to effect Many Of our Sis
ter States, with less capacity for such enterprises,
and possessing natural and advantages far
inferior TO our own, have, under circumstances Of
great embarrassment executed works Of internal i'm
provement which would do honor to the enterprise
Of independent nations. Nor have they been disap-
pointed tn the individual or tate benefit which their
works were expected 10 impart. The citizens Of
those Statet feel The superiority Of this improved
condition Of their country, and duly appreciate the
increased comforts derived from it.
II our generous and noble old Commonwealth
has been tardy in the execution Of those improve
ncnts most clearly indicated By the geological struc-
ture Of the country. and in proper development Of
her greaa physical resources II is gratifying to ION,
slider, that proftng hy the example Of others she
may gain much Of the loss in time, b wise, prompt
and energetic measures hereafter,
Whilst The financial ceddsiion aud credit Of the
state, al homo and abroad. must he most carefully
guarded feel il duty in all ffalkness TO suggest
fnryonf consideration. the speedy completion Of
such Of the great leaiing improvements as appear
most deeply involved 9ih the general interests Of
the Commonwealth. An enlightened policy would
dictate, and stern necessity demands. that these
improvements should be completed as speedily as
possible, aad that new projects requiring extern
sive all from the State should be commenced until
this great Object shall have been accomplished
Virginia has entsfsd The lists with her sister States
for the bene; Of the trade with the great West and
tho Valley cfthe mississippi. The prize for which
we contend is worthy Of an exertion OF all our en-
ergies Let some wei digested sysicm be adopted
and steadily pursued. and succcss viii crown our az
forts II is confidently believed, however, that in
discrirainae appropsinns al this time for works Of
any local advantages would be Taught with most
nllschevious and dangerous results.
AT the threshold OF the subject we are me,
with the difficulties which surround the affairs
of the long Dc !ayed Central improyement--sn
improvement concentrated prior 10 the Amer
lean revolution. and one so strongly indicated
by the geographical position Of the State, as
we as the geological structure Of the country,
that i, has never ceased to be an object of deep
rolicitude to the whole Commonwealth. II
would be an act of supererogaton TO argue at
this time the merits or the importance to the
State Of the great line from tide water on James
river TO the Ohio. n. INDEED, il were original
" without merit the expenditure OF ten mil
lions OF dollars Ia the last thirty years for its
Improvement would fix an interest there,
which we could Got disregard. But The ex-
tent and value OF the works completed, the 0
riginai merit OF Tie scheme, and The sums for
which the State IS already responsible on ac-
count OF the Improvement, give il an impor-
fance IN onr deliberations, which we cannot
disguise II we would. But how far II is prop
er TO continue the water line, is question up
on which an honest difference OF opinion may
well exist among the most enlightened and
pattioilc statesmen. lille have no dlspo
sliion TO dspaiage the benefits OF canal, atn
not lnsenslbleto tie many advantages which
well constructed railroad possesses over any
artificial water improvement; nor do ieei Il
necessary 10 discuss the relative advantages or
disadvantages OF The Two species adapted 10
this line, other than IN their practical relat ION
to existing circumstances. From many i'm
posing examples, !, has heretofore been urged
with zeal and ability. than ia roads have be
come necessary anpeadages TO thecaaals upon
most OF the great INES OF travel and and trans
portatlon. u THIS view De correct, and II we
have duly estimated the magnitude OF the ser
vice which the business oil The James river and
and kanawha line VIII al no very remote pc
Rod oil time require, we may We'll imagine that
both species OF Improvement may be demand
ed, and when thai time shall have arr'ed. both
can be safely and advanta geously constructed.
But until one or the other shall have been car
ried through the eatire ttne, and a large amount
OF travel attracted 10 II, strong necessity Tor
both cannot exist.
A canal across the mountains, would satisfy |
the present demand for the TRANSPORTATION Of
produce. but the railroad would, in addition, |
accommodate large amount OF travel, the |
transportation of the mail and live stock, and |
consequently ensure a speedy and ample re-
Enumeration for the cost Of construction. In |
volved as we are, the shortest time within |
which remunerating revenue can be proluc |
ed. is a proper subject for consideration; and |
IL no insuperable objection to such course |
exists, lhe improvement BY which this object
can be first Obtained, should be first executed.
Blu, in the execution, the work should be so
constructed as not to preclude the construction
ofihe other along or near the same line. should
j, ever be deemed expedient to do SO.
With these general views of the subject,
feel much confluence in recommending con
liouance Of the water line 10 Clifton forge or
,he aaarest ,,,;ut upon the PROMISED line, al
winch iunc,ion a.. be formed with he Cen
tral railroad. and that the Legislature ma rs
provision in the ,nost suitable n,o,..er 10 rom
plete The work AZ an early ,,av J'ba ys,.ori ~
The President Of The lanes riceraod Rona,h.
COMPANY hav;no CHARGE or,b;s ,nanor,,n,;n,
proyement exh1bifs he entira iacon'a ~ an
their works IN eleven moa,hs anJ;no 9o,h
September hst 1851 $50 "a aTd he 49,