Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1854-05-05
ron THE viRoiSiAN.


hoard. which, il is remarkable TO observe, is a
Norfolk detected to the northwest as If to IN
site eonnexion at this point between the Allan
tic and the Ohio. From this great Southern
bend the downward course Of the river is North
west as far as Cincinnati. and line down from
that city to Norfolk would nearly follow up the
river, and cross the point where the road
will first diverre from the Ohio Valley. This is
n significant ct.and considering the easy grades
and the mild climate and the shorter distance OF
this Virginia route to the Atlantic It would seem
reasonable that vast tonnage will pass over it
from the Queen City to the oeean--the great
level TO which all trade and commerce tends from
the interior.
The trade of Cincinnati and other large inland
cities does not tend to New York, Philadelphia
or BOSTON. but 10 the trade level by the short.
est, quickest and cheapest lines.
Tn this view. the Virginia line stands pre.ominent
in its directions and facility to accumulate and
transmit the Surplus products Of the west to tide
waters and accommodates itself to the tendency OF
the great currents of trade To New York, as
,ha commercial centre of the Union, and 10 the at
traction Of the ocean, so to speak,upon the trade
of the interior.
Another important fact, already alluded TO in
the course of the proceeding numbers,and which
bears directly upon the through business OF this
road. il the vast amount of business IN transiiu
upon the Western waters, and which wiz no
doubt reach the amazing sum Of 500, by
she time this great avenue Is opened to give 1t
free course to the Atlantic Whoever reflects
mon this subject will see that all the great ar
t;6eial avenues Of trade and commerce. from The
West TO the East Of our broad republic, viii be
taxed TO their utmost capacity IN order accom-
,nodate this immense business. None but tho
neonle of Virginia. il would SEEM appear to be
blind 10 the important fact, that the Old Domin-
ion. on all the reasons hereinbefore suggested
should. and would. next 10 the empire State
take the lead in the noble rivalry for the com
marco of the West-f her citizens would only
appreciate her supreme advantages
| say the people Of Virginia seem alone 'ndli-
ferent 10 their great advantages, because "hllo
other States are unremitting in their efforts to
secure their portions of the vast trade OF the
west. Virginia seems to fater in this work
instead of lending al her strength TO its speedy
accomplishment, cost what j, may.
The nctaAl enhancement Of real estate along
the line IT this impToYement-irom Norfolk 10 the
the Ohio. taking belt Is miles wide.would be
mare than sls,OOO.0o0 the estimated est Of the
wbole line. To make up this amount it would be
required 70 have upon the lands within, "a miles
Of the road an average advance Of les than -
per acre The enhancement Of real estate would
doubtless to- twice OF three times that amount,
and the good effects Of the speedy completion Of
this line would be felt over much wider belt
Of country. The most ineredulous,if they would
only reflect, would be convinced Of the truth of
this vie. Of the and Of the Importance and
profit Of this improvement, even as a mat
ter of financial policy to the State.
The experience Of the whole country justfes
the assertion that the railroads of the United
States are paying high per cent on their cost
besides causing the greater collateral advantages
of promoting the social and intellectual charac
ter Of the people---and this is true Of the West
ern roads. There is most important and in
sructive article upon this subject copied from the
Mansfield ''Rail Road Review" into the present
April number of Hunts Merchants Magazine, from
which it appears that the Western roads ARE
paying better than the Eastern roads. Ten prin-
cipal roads Of the East cost an average of S56,-
733 per mile Ten principal Western roads cost
an average of s25,49s per mile, or not half so
much the Eastern roads.
In 1852, the Eastern roads earned ut the rate
of pa per cent per annum.
In 1853, the same roads earned at tho rate of
10 per cent her annum,
In 1852, the Western roads earned at the rate
of 2lt per cent per annum.
In 1853, the same roads earned at the rate of
265 per cent per annum.
From this interesting article it appears that,
while the increase Of business the Eastern
roads in October 1853, was over that in October
1852, at the rate of 81 Of per cent per month";
or9 percent per annum, that of the Western
roads was in the same tme,at the rate off ) per
cent per month, or about q per cent per annum
Let Nirgnans ponder upon this fact. aud then
make up their minds to the Importance of con.
structng their great road to the West and com,
in for share of this unexamped prosperity Let
them bear in mind that, while by means of her
Ohio connexion Virginia may come in for large
share of the trade of the West, she can, by her
geographical position,engross a major part of the
immense business of the South west, bv means
Of the Virginia and Tennessee railroad
In speaking of the prosperity of the Western
roads, Mr.. Mansfield, the writer of the article re-
ferred towel remarks
''Great as this increase may seem. we are sat
isied that 1t is only commencement of the i'm
mense business to be done by means of railroads
And if we are questioned as TO where this bnsi
ness is to be found whence it is TO come we reply
the railroads will create it for themselves" Mr.