Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1854-07-12
Norfolk and the Ohio River.

readers of the Nirginian. They will agree with
us in the conclusion are sure, that 50 fitting
sequel to the able series by "AS EASTERN NIR
eIsIAs" lately published by US, ought to be given
as extended circulation as possible.
MEssRs. EDTToRs:-ln some previous num-
bers have endeavorsd TO show the importance to
the State of constructing the great trunk line OF
railway from Norfolk, through Petersburg and
Lynchburg TO the valley of New River, and down
the same to the Ohio River.
This great trunk line will be taken up At our
State line by Kentucky. and continued to Louis
vile through Frankfort and Lexington, aud also
down the valley of the Ohio to Cincinnati. This
subject has not yet been sufficiently considered
with reference to its character as great state
work. or if you please, the great work of the
State. Much local and sectional feeling has been
manifested and il would seem from the spirit IN
which this subject has often been discussed. that
no her object was in the minds of disputanis,
but TO give certain localities preference over
other supposed competing points. Nary seldom
have enlarged aud comprehensive views been Ia
ken; and to many the object would seem 10 be,
~ bring the trade of the mighty West Ia some
little obscure town, and 10 build that up. rather
than open a great avenue for that trade to piss
through the State, enrieing and fertilizing every
portion of its course, and terminating upon the
Atlantic. at such place as would best accommodate
its foreign export and draw in foreign imp"rta-
lions, aud thus to build up a great commercial
mart. For such mart, good Atlantic harbor is
indispensable; equally much great ave-
to the producing regions of the West. and
through the interior of our State. These
two conditions being met. great aud tourshlng
city would be the necessary consequence In the
circumstances of Virginia, these conditions would
be met by opening the line of intercommunloa=
ton above indicated Norfolk with its ngnih-
cent harbor, Is that Atlantic terminus aud |
think enough has been said 10 show that the Nor.
folk and Ohio line above indicated. will become
that great avenue which will best accomo ate the
mighty tide of business already passing upon the
Ohio border of the State, for transit To the At.
lantic. Every effort in Western, Eastern, or
Northwestern Virginia 10 give this trade any
other direction, to turn II from Norfolk is
detrimental 10 the best interests of the State.
Sc. also, any attempt to nterpose upon this
great avenue, any obstacles, such change of
guage,is an evil. These are the propositions 10
which desire 20 direct public attention, and by u
calm and dispassonate consideration of both TO
arrive at these conclusions.
Let us suppose for "a moment that railways
of uniform guOges were laid down from Norfolk
via Lynchburg. Richmond, Stanton aud Coying
ton, 10 the Ohio. Suppose also, that all the rail
ways in the State were of one gauge, and that the
roads from Richmond to York aud to Ethan
were completed. Does it need one single mo.
ment's reflection 10 see that Norfolk would be the
would pass over these roads, in the same manner
that New York II the great commercial centre of
the vast trade TINT passes over the canals and
railways OF the Empire State And is il not self
evident that while Richmond Alexandria aud
fredericksburg w"ald become centres OF large
and fourishng trades, they would all be more or
less subservent 10 the trade of Nbrfolk; and that
they would mutually increase and promote she
prosperity Of each other Any attempt to change
this natural order Of things would oonteryHil he
best interest ct the State. Ii is this very unna-
tural attempt 10 divert trade aud commerce from
Its proper channels, that has bghted the pros
perity of the Commonwealth, and that evil will
continue TO blast her welfare, until this supreme
folly is arrest.
Recurring To the condition ef things, in case of
the construction of all the ronds in the State upon
uniform gauge what avenue, | would Hsk
would best accommodate thu Western trade -
Evidently that, which, ether things beng equal
was the most direct from the OHIO to the mouth
of the Chesapeake. This very line or route II
the one which have attempted 10 place prom-
nently before the public, leading from Norfolk.
via Petersburg and Lynohhurg, to the Ohio
Ii Is the shortest and most direct line that can bp
constructed OF "A uniform gnage. The great sta
pies of western produce destined for foleign ex-
portationi or for coast-wise distribution, would
pass over this line to the great commercial 1narts
OF the state and an the othor hand. goods import
ed from abroad and destined for the Western
trade, weud max 40 lines of beauty tor the sake
OF visiting intermediate towns aud cities but true
TO the great cardinal laws of trade, would GO d.
rect To the great points OF distribution in the
West. How impulitio then 10 attempt to impede
the natural course of trade, or IL turn il from It's
proper channel; and yet it has been the policy OF
the State for five years past Ito do this very thing
in endeayoring t. make the route to the Ohio on
the north side of the james River, with view 10
make Richmond the commercial centre of the
State, eis, so fayer the sIncidiHl policy of
draining fine commercial Ele of the commonwealth
To build up Baltimore.
1t were difficult To tell which were the great
o. folly. Open the great avenue from the West
to Norfolk and also open every avenue Ia the mite
rior of the State from ali the other caties G,fore
mentioned and thus they will all contribute To
each others prosperity aud 10 the gonerul wealth
and glory of the commonwealth.
repeat it, that the great trunk line to the
West sbonld take the most direct roHte 10 the
Ohio from Norfolk and that this is the Zine on the
south side Of james river. 1t is notany the shor
test. bug is the route with easiest grades. am
perfectly aware that the grade over the Allegheny
on the line ofthe Coyngton and Ohio route is low
er than on the Virginia and Tennessee road but
| am equally aware that the grades Of the Central
road, which must be regarded as a component
part of the Coyington and Ohio road. are much
heavier east of the Allegheny than ON the south
ern line. and heavier than the crossing of the
Allegheny the southern line The grade of
the Allegheny is no the ruling grade OF this
great trunk line than the grade of any other
tain east west oft and hence the folly of dwell
ling so much upon this pass the Allegheny;
Ar ar go feet grade then, is no worse than the
same grade east or west of this range That high
-er grades than co feet, even as high as seventy,
seventy -five-yes, upto eighty feet occur ON the
northern line, is well known. The southern. is
therefore the better ayanue TO the West; and
should therefore most undoubtedly, be free from