Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1855-12-19
DEeENII8ER lotIas I $50.


shall those fine prospects be blighted o
but partially realized for want of the las
and only remaining link necessary to
the most stupendous and life-giVing syS
TEN that has engaged the attention o
our citizens since the day when they
shook off the shackles of tyranny, refused
to obey the mandates of king, and de.
clared themselves an independent people:
l trust not. It must not be: The judi"
cious and experienced statesman will not
abandon the half finished scheme. MOI
leave it to be executed by his successors,
but, in the prompt and faithful discharge
of his duty, will press it on to its final
consummation. 10 render these improve
ments profitable and enable our people to
compete successfully with our enterpris-
ing northern neighbors, the benefits
arising from the import and export trade
should be secured to them, aud the bur
den growing out of the coastwise trans
portation in search of an outlet, ought to
be removed, constituting as it does an
onerous drawback against our own and
southern interest, and enuring directly to
the beneftof the northern route and the
northern merchant.
1t may be painful but nevertheless
profitable to recur occasionally to the his
tory of the past to listen to the admo>
nitions of experience, and learn lessons OF
wisdom from the efforts and actions of
those who have preceded us in the dra-
ma of life. Tho records of former days
show that at period not very remote,
Virginia stood pre- eminently the first
commercial State in the Union-when
her commerce exceeded in amount that of
all the New England States combined
when the city Of Norfolk owned more
than one hundred trading ships, and her
direct foreign trade exceeded that of the
city of New York, now the centre of
trade and the great emporium of North
America.
At the period Of the war of indepen-
dence, the commerce of Virginia was four
times greater than that of New York.
In 1858, the imports of the latter amoun-
ted to the enormous sum of one hundred
and eighty millions nearly, while those of
Virginia were not quite 100000. And
during that year there were cleared from
her ports $3.50 vessels to foreign ports,
while from Virginia during the same peri
Cd, ,292, and the amount of goods import
ed was less than four millions of dollars,
showing conclusively that her commerce
has dwindled down comparatively to in
significance. But L will pursue the hu.
initiating comparison no further, but rath-
er enquire for the cause which has de-
prived Virginia other supremacy. enrich
ed the North, built up lis cities, and
thrown within its grasp the almost entire
commerce of the country.
None will attempt to asscribe it to SUI
perior natural advantages. Virginia has
greatly the advantage over any portion Of
the north in all the elements requisite to
constitute a commercial and prosperous
community but, like the unfaithful ser>
want, she has failed to improve the talent
entrusted to her care, and has failed to
reap the reward.
We have not only permitted northern
enterprise to overreach US, but we have
aided it by actual contributions ofmillions
annually "to the building up of their
strong holds" and that too at the ex-
pense of the dearest rights of our own
citizens and of the southern people gen
orally and moreover, when we shall
have expended some twenty or thirty
millions in the construction of our great
thoroughfare, and completed the inland
system terminating on the bay shore, the
inevitable consequence will be to cast ad-
ditional millions gratuously at the dispo-
sal of northern merchants and spectators.
Facts and figures show conclusivly the
truth of this position.
In former communication to the Lee
gislature, I briefly adverted to some OF
the advantages resulting from the estab~
lishment of such direct communication
with foreign countries, as we'll as having
the business transacted in vessels owned
and manned by our citizens. also show
ed, as think, conclusivly, that upon the
completion OF the system now in progress
of construction, the trade at the seaboard
would be amply sufficient to support q
line of steamers, and the only doubt rest.
ing on my mind then was in regard to the
time when we should embark in the en-.
terprise, and whether it should be execu,
ted by public or private means.
Since then, however, the relations ex
isting between the northern and southern
states have so changed that every vestige
of doubt has been dissipated in regard tc
the policy and imperious duty of Virginia
During the present year. the term o
office of Archibald Graham, the commits
sioner of public works for the second dis
trict, expired, and under the act of 9tt
March, 1858, an election was held to sup
ply the vacancy, which resulted in the
choice Of Alexander r. Holiday. a
proclamation was made in complanc,
with the law, and Mr.. Holiday has quail
ihed as one of the members of the Boarc
Of public works.
In the several communications hereto
fore made to the general assembly,
earnestly invited their attention to tn,