The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1854-03-20
pI,su OK GO AHEAD !

PUSH ON, GO AHEAD
In country like ours, where enterprise
aud e.er,v transfer the capital of empire
from one extreme of the onionto anofner IN
. few wears. it is impossible to over estimate
the value Of time, in the construction of lines
Of public improvements. dollar invested
today. may be like the grain planted in good
ground, whilst hundred, invested twelve
months hence, may yield not copper's re-
turn. The people of Virginia, by speedy
and vigorous action, may in ten years quad
ripple their capital, and develope the mighty
resources of the State-but by hestitating,
timidity and delay, they may fall back Alto
gether helpless into the Slough OF Despond
from which they are emerging, after lethar-
gic sleep of half century. Having with
unparalleled energy, and enthusiasm sprang
toward in the great race of internal i'm
provements, having appropriated millions of
private funds, and incurred a public debt of
twenty millions. there remains but one course
for the State and her citizens to pursue
Like the Persian prince, who sought the
treasures of the enchanted mountains, we
must shut our ears to the clamors of the
cowardly, and go straight ahead until the
treasures for which we have sacrificed so
much are within our grasp. Having satisfied
ourselves of the Importance of developing
the resources of the State, and feeling perfect
confidence in the advantages which we shall
der from the leading lines of internal i'm
provement already commenced, ace should
complete them as expeditiously as possible.
The failure of the last Legislature to make
the appropriations demanded by the interests
of the Commonwealth and her citizens,
should produce no uneasiness or panic. HER
CULEs having refused to aid US, we should
put our own shoulders to the wheel. Petty
jealousies, and local animosities, and rival in
rerests having defeated all the most impor-
tant schemes of internal Improvement, does
not furnish the shadow of an argument
against their Importance. Delay in the COM
pletion of these lines, may be fatal. Active
competitors for TIE trade that should centre
in Virginia, aided by wiser Legislative poll
cy, and more liberal and sagacious support
than we have displayed, already menace us,
at our most vulnerable points. Ten years
hence the CENTRAL and the CONVICTION roads
reaching the great waters of the South and
West, would find other and more industrious
rivals, bearing off to distant States the trade
that legitimately belongs to us. Delay, pro-
erastination and timidity will embolden our
rivals. What we wish to do well we must do
nuiotIy Tho reSourrps of Rome npoa ,j,,r
ing great war, were exhausted, and to save
the Imperial city, the women threw into the
treasury their jewels and manufactured their
long black hair into bow strings.
AS the future prosperity of Virginia de-
ponds upon the immediate prosecution and
completion of our railroads and canals, it be.
hoves every far-seeing citizen to make those
advances which will hereafter reward him
with prosperity and fortune. The present
unexampled prosperity of our people, should
induce them to make as far as possible the
necessary appropriations for those great
lines of railroad by which Virginia is to be
enriched. All local .jealousies should be for
gotten, and we do not in spirit of con-
tracted selfshness call upon the friends of any
one leading line but upon the friends of the
CovINGTos, the SoUTHsIDE, the CENTRAL
the ALEXANDRIA, the DANvILLE and the
LYNCHBURG. In the cities and along the
routes Ofthese greatlines there are means and
energy enough to keep them going until the
Legislature meets, whether that be at the re-
gular or an extra session. Whenever it
meets there is no doubt it will make the ne
cessary appropriations to the great lines but
in the meantime let the people take care that
the "work goes brayely on" Let not the
want of money lead to the suspension of the
gigantic operations by which the fortune of
every citizen will be improved. 1t is now
madness to think of flying from the response
bihties which we have assumed it would be
equally ins ana by sLoTH aQd LETnARGY to
lose the treasures for which I'VE have labored
80 industriously
What we have said applies with peculiar
force to Richmond. What has made this
CITY, after years of inertness suddenly almost
rival the young cities of the West in the
growth OF her population and the increased
value OF her real estate What has caused
that sudden influx of new citizens which al
most defies the efforts of our assessors andtax
gatherers to tax them? What has filled our
city with newborn vigorous Building Asso.
CITATIONS, and our court house doors with end.
less lists of new deeds for building lots in and
near the city What has afforded orr arcb;.
tects and mechanics so much EMPLOYMENT
that they wish that like old BRIAR1us. thew
had each hundred arms to Weld as many
hammers, planes, saws, etc, in the erection
OF new houses What, in word, has p;vep
impulse to every department of trade and
business in Richmond? Why, every one
VIII answer that all this has been the result
oi the universal conviction that Richmond
VIII Do made great city by the trade and
commerce which the railroads will pour into
her lap. The railroads are actigely dogLJ;oo
f"e fat"e 81 property in Richmond. Letor,
'"ey maze 6een completed, and its indefinite in.
srease IN wealth, population and commercial
inhuenee depends upon their speedy compile