Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1854-11-20
Norfolk Convention.

JouTHeu Oh the Stn, ~ Midnight. we
characterize the Convention as being great
because much was said OF it IN anticipa-
tom and great Difference paid, but we
learn that the assemblage was compara-
lively small. What has been the result of
this Convention oil the "great men Of the
State" who were to assemble to conc;liate
the various interests and sections, and
whose purpose twas to adopt some en-
larged and s.atesmanlike policy with re-
gard to our internal Improvements, and
send it before the country with their I'M
pr,matur? I'VE will look to the proceed
ings for reply There we find that
committee, as is usual in such cases. was
appointed to prepare business for the Con-
vention, who reported seven resolutions
for adoption. The commonplaceness Of
ill the resolutions but the last, is notori-
Gus. They will be found in another COL
umn.i
Again we ask, what good has been ac-
conplished7 This Convention. gotten up
and composed almost exclusively by South
s,ders, propose most gravely to harmonic
and unite conflicting interests by very COM
placently appropriating to themselves the
whole bone Of conference.-the guage-
and telling the Central Company if they
'shalll deem It exped,ent to change the
gusge Of their road to a corresponding
width, ihat the Legislature ought TO pro-
vide for direct subscription to the stock
ofthe Company, &c." We had always
supposed that it required two or more
parties to make compr omise, ITO harmo.
nize end unite" but here, 1t seems, that
oul Southside friends have acted as if they
could be "harmonized and united" only
BY giving them all they have ever asked,
and By sending their NorthsiJe nelghbors
empty away, with the poor consolation
that the Convention said that the Leeis-
lature ought 10 help the Central Company
to change their guage. Surely the South
side feel but little force in their. first
and second resolutions, or they think
the Central Company will surrender at the
discretion oftheiI opponents.
What does the Central company get by
the proposed arrangement: Nothing but
the poor privilege of increasing her capt.
tai stock, if she can, TO raise the necessary
means to change her guage.
The effect Of the seventh resolution
upon the rights Of the parties yould be to
deny to the Central Company her Just and
reasonable right TO connect with the Gov.
ington and Ohio road at its eastern termi.
nus with an Uniform guase of feet 81
inches; on the other hand, to "provide by
law that the Gov. and Ohio road shall be
constructed with 5 feet guage to cores
pond with the Virginia and Tennessee
road, which is an entirely different line,
looking to Tennessee for it. connections,
and MOTTO the Kentucky roads on the Ohio.
But the sou,hside people say they purpose
connecting the Va. and Ten. road with
the Gov. and Ohio at the mouth OF Green
brier by branch Of the former, and there
fore they should have the " hole OF the
Gov. and Ohio conform to their guaee.-
Why should the Southside have this al.
vantage extended to thema Why must
the Northside be denied their natural and
reasonable connection witt, the Gov. and
Ohio? Was it not fully designed by the
Gov. aud Ohio originally TO make il, con.
,inuation, in effect Of the Central road 10
the Ohiol Was it not SO understr cd and
conceded: when the Va. and Ten. road
was projected, TO look TO its Tennessee
connection, the Cumberland Gap route, for
its trade and travel? This whole subject
OF destinations, trade and guases was once
fully understood and aequlesccd in. Our
Southside friends are not satisfied with
what rightiully belongs to them. but are
disposed in spite Of every consideration Of
public policy and private right, to snatch
from the Central and other Northside
roads the very trade and travel for which
they were made TO accommodate. sd
The rights Of the parties in this matter
are 80 perfectly obvious that we think 1t
futile to argue them. We are bound to
conclude from the course, pursued by our
Southside. friends that they do not care
whether the State gets the benefit ola
great connection with the West al all, I'M
less they shall have the entire control
of it.
Virginia may boast Of her natural re-
sources aud great elements Of wealth. but
she can never take up her march in the
line Of progress until her sons shall Danish
from their councils contracted selishness
unworthy Of themselves. The Southside
express AppreheRsions Of Baltimore. We
have no doubt that there is nothing which
pleases her better in relation to tins matter,
than the course pursued by the Southside.
Baltimore will give anything for delay.
anything Tor jealousy and discord, in our
ranks, all Of which the Southside are ac-
comphshing. They are the real allies Of