The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1853-06-15

over the signature OF "OoSerVel, WnlcR Is emil
tied to the attentive perusal Of those interested
in the prosperity of Washington, and the inn
proved intercourse between the Northern and
Southern sections of the Union. The commu-
nication is the work of one we'll acquainted
with the topograph ical and the general charac-
ter Of the Southwestern National Route. We
may add that observer" is one AMONGST the
large property holders and taxpayers of the
city. and therefore better authority for the To-
cal importance of the connexions which he ad
vOcates than ourselves.
We did not comply with his request to re-
publish the report of General BERNARD, be-
cause the subject does not attract sufficient at
tention to justify our reproducing long docu-
ment OF little interest to the general reader
That document proves, however, that with the
projected connexions, Washington must be-
come point upon the great through line, I'M
less the proposed railroad from Aqua Creek
to Baltimore should deprive it of that advan-
tage.
The citizens of Washington will find from
the comparative distances of observer" that
the dangers of such line are not to be disre
garded, and in this airline age delay or dis
location upon line of travel often stimulates
the construction of some rival Improvement
which will obviate the objection. If therefore
washington wishes to place herself on the great
line Indicated by observer" she should en-
courage the completion of continuous railroad
from Aqua Creek via Alexandria, with the
Baltimore depot. This might not be the short
est line OF communication between Richmond
and Baltimore, but the detour would be tole-
rated In consideration of the desire of every
traveller to pass through the National Metropo-
lis, if it could be done without material loss of
time or additional expense.
The obvious difference between the activity
of business during the session of Congress and
In the recess should convince the people of
Washington and Georgetown how indispensa-
Bile to them IS the construction of the Metro
Politan railroad and the Alexandria connexion;
a continuous stream of travel would pass
through these cities, and the average of visit
ors remaining but for a few days would create
constant demand for their retail supplies.
The hat stores, shoe stores, clothing establish
ments, which do not now seem very busy,
would reft the dusty traveller, whilst the
hotels would refresh him for the prosecution
of his journey.
The most rabld aboitionist will admit that
there may be "a property in man, ," and that for
the supply of his wants or the promotion of his
enioyments ne may be made lawfully to con-
tribute to the support of those who engage in
that department of enterprise. In order to
make man available for this laudable object, he
must be brought into convenient contact with
those whose business it may be to accommodate
his wants
We have before treated of the Importance to
every interest in Washington of having means
OF intercourse with all parts of the country
This would secure visitors for short term, or
citizens who shall temporarily resort to Wash
lngton for purposes of education, social enjoy
ment, or special business.
we see houses sprlnglng up with magical
rapidity. We have seen the green fields of a
few weeks since covered with buildings in va
rious stages of growth, and almost think if one
should plant brick and single it would in
u
But the question arises, Who are to occupy
all these houses? Upon what do the specula-
tive purchasers of lots and builders Of blocks
evidently for rent-depend? Let them set about
opening the sluices, let them lay the main
pipes of travel, md the permanent and tran
sient population of the city will afford them an
ample reward for all their enterprise
In order to present practical evidence of
the difference between a city on the main
route of travel and one which suffers from OBJ
structions, we call the attention of our readers
to the difference between the arrivals at Balti-
more and Washington.
We would cali the attention of our readers TO
the difference between the daily arrivals at Bal
timore and Washington, as evidenced by the
hotel registries published 10 the two cities. Al
though the difference between the population
and business Of the two places is very great,
yet the disparity of arrivals is still greater; and
when it is considered that there is but forty miles
distance between them, the route advocated by
Observer would concentrate all this travel, and
pour it through Washington as point Gpon the
nearest and cheapest route between New York
and New Orleans. The deep interest now taken
by the States of Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama,
Mississippi, the city of New Orleans, and the
State of Virginia, in opening free way through
the District of Columbia, constitutes our iusti-
ication in having devoted so much space to
the subject. We are confident that, when e1.
amined by the working and thinking men of
Washington, it will be found alike essential to
the prosperity of the city and the psrmanence
OK that union upon which the happiness aad
prosperity of all undoubtedly depend.
RICHARD w. WALKER, of LauSsrdale coun-~
W, (and not Richard W. Latderdale, as
provoking Lapstls penns Hade US say yester-
day, has been nominated as tho Whig candi-
date for Governor of Alabama. The nominat-
ing convention adopted series of resolutions,
recognising. in the platform laid down by the