Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1854-06-23
fcs tbs Reusosp Vino.
uufuihs af ths North River canal


e'rs Editors 90 Friday the 10th inst the first boa,
passed along the North River Canal from the James River
at the Blue Ridge up to the mouth OF Buffalo, being
distance OF some Ave es along this Canal Il had
been made known OF the citizens Of this county
hat on that day. boat would be sent up, take down
to the lower end of the Canal PERSONS who desired to
participate In the celebration Of the first opening Of this
important Improvement. No notice had been given
through tho papers OF the event. and generally
known even in this county, that Canal would be open.
co on mat dayyet goody number OF persons Of both
sexes assembled TO join in the excursion If il had been
generally known doubt very great crowd would bays
been assembled Oar public spirited aud cnterprsnc
citizen, Capt +. Echo furnished boat fitted out
Tor the OCCASION at the head Of which hoated Tag pres
pared and furnished 10y the isr and bewching
OF that romantic region, and bearing the Liberty"
inscribed upon its folds No doubt they selected this mot
To as most expressive OF their free elastic aud un.
couqusrable spirits knowing full well that they would
make slaves Of those who approached them Like the
ymphs OF the mountains and the Naades of the streams
they knew their power greatest when concealed
and that they could charm by mystery, and then lead
captive at their will and by soft smiles and unaffected
graces make him acknowledge that he had lost ber-
~ that they had preferred to him.
The boat from below being later in arriving the up.
per end Of tho Canal than expected those who had
assembled there procured another boat and oil TO
meet it. The two boats met aud after several hearty
cheers shat walked old Echo from her messy cave and
went thrilling along those sleeps where
"rAe LsA'nns' l; Ys, TI peak to ps.sm
for the occasion the upper end of the canal and then
back to where the James in the old times Of his great
ness has burst the steep barriers that formed to
conhne him to this beautiful valley, and in tho spirit OF
his own mountain home seeking be Free has cleft the
rock and LEFT bare the irowning cliffs swinging in airy
space.
An excellent dinner furnished by Captain Echols
and others and psrtakeu of by the entire
Champagne circulated freely aud gave life aud spirit to
the already animated crowd and added another tnre to
beauties check The sweet tones Of music died away on
hell Tan,a
tic toe through the merry dance All seemed par,ake
the prevailing hlay, and enjoy the pleasures of the
moment, while they admired this noble improvement.
This was but the opening of FIVE miles OF canal vet Il
IS part OF that improvement leading from the mouth of
North River TO Lexington, which is convey the greater
part OF the produce of the fertile counties OF Rockbige,
Augusta, Bath aud Highland into the greater artery OF
the James River Canal, aud thence to Richmond and by
which all this region is to be furnished with Plaster Gu
ano Groceries, &c. About the first of September
another section OF five miles will be opened, thus fin
ishing half of its entire length aud giving assurance
% the public that this long delayed Improvement will
long be completed aud that the farmers OF section
about to reap the harvest for their SO literally
pended All praise is due TO our energetic, ca. |
psoie and gentemanly engineer, Nr. Byers, and to
the officers OF this company, who have thus car
ried 1t through its difficulties and about cousum-
mate the hopes OF the friends OF this Improvement by
completing through its entire length The writer Of this
article has seen several ctnas and none present
durable permanent and lasting appearance than this -
Certainly none Is better protected from the effects of high
water, made OF more substantial and durable materials
Not only this section Of country, but your CITY, should
rejoice in the completion Of this WORK. is artery
that brings you life and noushment is the opening
river running from the North west, down which will
oat mines of wealth. which heretofore lay imbeddrd
the bowels OF our monnt,ns, passed down the valley
OF your Northern rival In this age Of progress and free
intercourse, no hackes be kept the ver-moving
and eYerywhere moving commerce OF country; and
II You desire 1t to come your doots, You must
oy all tho Establishments of art and entice by easy
paths, org which it may tread. Shall not acknow
ledge our natural attachments and embrace, the
opens, that We may clchsugc tho coarse wealth Of our
mountains for the Injuries OF other cnes and for the
products OF artS Is not the time hard the pale
and emacated inhabitants OF cities and of the
seaoord shall have horoughiAre the health. giving
and pure atmosphere these mountain regions.
Each year their numbers at these watering places
cEeasc and each gives evidences their medic
nal virtues Other sactioas Of the State haze eT gnroa
Just opening, aGi have imbibed much o! the spirit OF
The age that they consider canals "bchnd the times
but the people mere since they So badly defeated
their application for fire. Charter fo the Valley Rail-
road last Winter say that Canal will DO great deal
OF good in the county Cf ROCKBRIDGE.
JUSE TN, 1854