The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1854-07-24
THE CENTRAL RAILROAD.

We address the citizens of Richmond for
the last time, before the vote. To-day you
will decide whether you will give an onward
movement TO the progress of great I'm
provement in which your city is vitality IN
terested or whetheryou will remain station
ary-which, in this age of general progress,
is to fall back 1t is not only an age of pro
grcss but an sge of rivalry and competition.
Not only is every city North of us putting
forth the most herculean sxertions, and ma
king enormous contributions to secure the
Western trade. but we are surrounded in our
own Commonwealth by enterprising compe-
titors some Of whom are showing much more
activity and energy than Richmond. Not
only is she an object of fair and legitimate
rivalry, but there are those whose exertions
are a. active to injurc and ruin her as to be-
neft their own localities. The best and
warmest friends of Richmond have become
well nigh discouraged by her apathy and IN
difference. Her people do not seem at all to
appreciate the efforts which are making to
deprive her of the little trade she now pos
sesses, and to cut her off from all the public
improvements for which she has been taxed
50 heavily. In such state ofthings, should
she refuse to attempt to help herself should
she fail to strike blow even for selfpreser-
walton, it requires no gift of prophecy to fore
tell that, from the most fourishing and pro-
missing city of Virginia, she is destined to fall
into mere fourth rate town, the value OF
her property to depreciate, her market to be
deserted her streets grass grown, and the en-
terprising and energetic Of her population,
driven off to other States, while her bitter
enemies, ignorant that their folly is equal to
their malevolence in cutting off the head Of
the chief contributor to the public reve-
nue., will set up prolonged and insane shout
IF Joy over her downfall.
We assure the people of Richmond that
this is no fancy picture. Their destiny is in
their own hands. 1t is possible for you to
defeat all the wiles of your enemies, and to
place your prosperity upon an immovable
foundation. Were Richmond called upon TO-
morrow to subscribe FIVE millions of dollars,
to secure connection by the Covington and
Ohio Railroad with the great railroad lines
of Kentucky and Ohio, uniting her with
Memphis and st. Louis, and pouring into her
lap as much of the vast treasures of the West
Us that railroad could possibly bring, we
ehould say that it would be true economy and
wise regard to her ow. interests for Rich
mond to make the contribution. We believe
that if Richmond refused to do it, she is the
only city in the whole Union which, in her
place. would so refuse. Is it possible, then,
that Richmond will hesitate moment to au
thorise a subscription Of the small amount of
100000 which, if now contributed will, with
the aid which that amount secures from the
State contribute to place the road in posi-
ton not only to confer immediate benefit up
on the trade of Richmond, but to advance the
road 80 far that its enemies will have no pre-
text for stopping it, and that the legislature
will be bound to aid in its completion? We
most earnestly invoke, then, every man who
has the prosperity of Richmond in the slight
est degree at heart to go to the polls and vote
tor the subscription.