Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1854-05-27
FOR THE vIRGfNIAN.

No X.
Messrs. Editors:-In n political point of view,
the carrying out of this wise policy by the con-
struotion of this great Norfolk and Ohio road the
best mode of cnnnexion known, is indis-
pensable to the integrity of the Commonwealth.
Causes are already at work which have render
ed antagonisical the interests of the Eastern and
Western portions of tho State. Indeed the
changes which have already been rung upon
the disunion and ACKNOWLEDGMENT of the Old Do
minion may in an evil hour prevail, and produce
results which every true Nrginian would deplore.
This great work once constructed would forever
remove all these angry and exciting causes oi
discomfort, and give the practical lesson that its
true glory, honor and prosperity, consisted in
union, aud in generous regard for the welfare of
the whole.
But instead of this wise course, what do we
see passing before our eyes Murmuring and
diseoncnts prevail in the West, and there seems
to exist no patriotic preference of our own noble
harbor over that of Baltimore. On the other
hand, the history of cur Legislature in regard TO
Railroads for years past would seem to have had
in view the prosperity Of that city,at the sacrifice
of our own Suite interests. The whole Northwest
and West ants of the State are being aenatcd, in
commercial interest, from the East; and thus
the energies of the Commonwealth are crippled,
divided, and will be prostrated,as sure as the sun
rises and sets, unless this pernicious policy is
arrested. We advocate no unwise or unnatural
policy. We maintain that all the interests of
the State would be best subservcd by opening at
once this great Norfolk and Ohio route-and
Il a u
the state instead If being dispersed, would be
concentrated upon the best harhor of the Atlantic.
individuals and whole communities will follow
their interests-and if 10y this unwse delay, in
opening this great avenue upon liberal plan
without any Instructions break of gauge,
drive the whole West portion Of the State to
Baltimore and the North, shall reap the legit-
innate fruits of our own folly. Both in the East
and the West this miserable, wrctched policy
of leechng the State is being carried ON. If the
mouth of the noble Chesapeake were under the
figid zone and the broad and beautiful bay of
\ prlolk full of rocks, iceburgs and quick sands,
it would be regarded with no less favor than it is
at present, by those who have in keeping the
great commercial interests of the Commonwealth
| Enough has been written upon this vital subject
The time has come for action 1t would seem,
if any thing could arouse Vrgnians to an effort to
recover their waning power, 1t would be glance
at the railroad map of the Commonwealth. There
is point of concentration within the State
! In the Northwest, the State has been surrender
ed commercially to Baltimore; and, as if anxious
! to show our fealty 10 the Monumental City, every
legal effort is making to extend her great railroad
! the whole Torn norton # tho Stnta.
and even to extend her road across the Great
kanawha to the Covington and Ohio Railroad so
as if possible to draw off from our Central route
the trade and travel that would,,f Virginia would
permit it, pass over it to our great harbor In the
East while may SEQ the Central railroad
coursing through the State by circuitous route
to Richmond, 1t will strike the observer, that the
same loyal policy towards Baltimore has been
carried out in providing several otfshoots to thut
city. Even the great Northwestern arm of the
State, which, it would seem, should certainly be
invited towards the mouth of tho Chesapeake, is
about to be provided with an otfshoot from Lynch
burgto Alexandria, as to give as far as posi-
BILE our great commercial rival at least an equal
chance with Norfolk, for the immense trade that
will come up over that great road.
Indeed the whole railroad policy has been in
yerted. Instead of verging South East from all
parts of the State toward the mouth of the Cheese
peake, and there builing up great commercial
mart it seems to have been the object of the Leg
islature to give them North Easterly direction
towards Baltimore The only way to correct this
| suicidal Policy of the State to drain her of all
her commercial life, and thus perpetuate her
bondage to the North is to construct as soon as
possible this great avenue of trade to the Ohio
and to turn the united trade of that road and the
great South western railroad upon Norfolk. and
thus give direction and life and energy to all the
commercial agricultural and manufacturing in
terests of the Commonwealth. Net that sell
fish and illiberal policy should be pursued to-
ward Baltimore. By no means; her noble exam
| pie should stimulate own state to a generous
rivalry for the trade of West. There is no need
of jealousy-no occasion for heartburnings-
The GreatWest is sufficient for all the avenues of
trade yet opened, or that can BIZ opened for its
accommodation. Why then should not Virgin
ia come in for her share of that immense trade
Why,in constructing her railways, should she not
disenthrall herself from commercial bondage and
set up for herself What State has so great
natural advantages Why should she ignore
them all and enrich others at her own expense
| Is IT because of her excessive beneyolence and