Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-05-09
From the Lewisbug Chronicle. e.-By Request.
Covinpton and Ohio RaiIrond.

The Commonwealth has expended and appro
priated for expenditure, some Sl2,000,JUO o
more, in leading lines of Improvement, appropri
aey having their Eastern Termini a~NoJ0lk
Richmond, Fredericksburg and alexandria, all
designed as main lines, or connecting branches Il
constitute an aggregate system, tending toward
and to secure the vast trade and travel of the
Western Valyes, for the seapors of Virginia.
These are first in their order, the Norfolk and
Petersburg, the South Side, the Va. s Tennes
see, and james River Canal, all auxiliary CON.
nerciaI arms to Norfolk, Richmond, Petersburg
and Lynchburg.
Second The Va. Central Railroad, pouring its
contributions upon, and iniusing prosperity to
Richmond, Charlottes7 lille and Staunton.
Third, The Fredericksburg s. Gordonsvie, the
Orange and Alexandria, and the Manassa Gap
roads a issuing from these favorable points of i'm
port and export seeking attraction Of and partici
patton in the trade and travel that awaits their
completion.
All these are, of themselves, of great local i'm
porlance. and are fulfilling The most sanguine an
tcipations of their friends; in apprecaling the
value of lands, by inducing increased production.
facilitating and cheapening access to markets and
developing the natural and hitherto Intent wealth
of the State.
These though influential considerations, are
but part Of the great aggregate data that induced
the undertaking Of this magnificent utllitaran pol
Icy.
The greater and more controlling object was,
that the seaport might oe united in practical and
capaciouS commercial intercourse with the west
and the great agricultural basin of the Ohio
That Virginia, through the instrumentalitv OF
this completed system, might be put in success
ful competition with other States, of more prac-
tical sagacity than she and thus be regenerated
and advanced in her material prosperity, elevated
in commercial and manufacturing enterprise, and
strengthened in her domestic and federal political
relations. The completion of the Covngton aud
Ohio Railroad affords to all these diversified parts
the system, converging towards Covington, the
most practicable and capacious pass-way yet as
ceriained for the transit Of The Allegheny range ,
with ease and uniformity Of grade, unknown else
where.
Through its cheapness of transportation and eff
ficlency, the entire investment, east OF the noun
tans, as well as lis own cost to the State, will all
become at once remunerative, and instead of be-
ing, as now the foundation of complaints with
many, will furnish vast stream Of revenue to
the treasury, gratifying to its friends, and astoun
ding to It's present opponents. The financial con-
dtion of the State rendering the utmost despatch
for its completion necessary, as the most efficient
ustruInentality for lis improvement the preser
vation of the faith Of the State and the speedy
restoration of its credit.
There is another aspect through which this en-
ierprlse should be viewed by the people Of East
ern Virginia. Appropriations Tor internal i'm
provements, especially in the west, or western in
their character, have always been oppUsed by
some, because the East (on account Of its great
wealthy contributes IGore largely 10 the cowmon
treasury ,and is therefore opposed 10 any dspropor
tlonate expenditure, forgetting thai! the prosperity
of Virginia, and her growth in wealth, inures as
a comnion boon and heritage 10 all her people.
But il is most manifest, that this inequality OF
contribution and expenditure, will decrease in pro-
portion TO lis own liberal operations, and under
the diversified interests and influences that will
be stimulated and brought into existence. the ba
sis of revenue in the W est will lie SO advanced,
emigration from the East to the West soincrease.
demand for labor SO multiply, equalization OF
slavery ensue in the two grand divisions Of the
State, that by processes as certain as the laws of
supply and demand, the desired equilibrium OF
contribution and appropriation will be established,
and the necessities OF the West and the contribu-
tons of the East be practically equalized and per-
manently adjusted.
To US, as Virgnans-citzens Of Southern
Stale, identified (it exclusive Identification be
forced upon us) with the South jealous of her
honor, her integrity and her institutions insist
ing for all the guarantees Of union, non inerier-
ence for the present aud security tor the future to
us in this important and delicate relation, is the
speedy building Of this connecting improvement
OF an importance of TnDmen ,ous consequences.
1t must be fresh in the memory of many how
frequent are becoming the. instances (almosi as
frequent as the opportunity offers) that the family
servants and slaves of southern travellers and plan
ters are seized, and forced, polens yoleDs, from
their owners, in their necessary passage through
any Of the free States, and they left without rem
edy, or aught else but insults and taunts.
This course Of illegal proceedings is becoming
Of popular approval in the States oiits occurrence
aud, notwithstanding the solemn duty imposed in
such cases by constitutional law of Congress.
(.he fugitive slave law,) distinguished members
of Congress and the Senate-members too when
it was epacted-have recently, in open debate,re
pudiated any binding force, refused all obligation
10 obey it. and asserted their future purpose to re-
sst and obstruct its execution. This is The
threatening future to the South, from Northern
ianalicsm, which rules TO a fearful extent, in all
the political parties or organizations Of the day.
In reply to the searching enquiries of the Hon.
Jno Lelcher tn learn dlslinctly the fnnre deter
minaiion of the north, Feb. 22nd, 1855, Mr..
Giddings said-.'I do expect, as expect to live
to get back here, to see the next Congress bring
in BILL and pass it through this body that shall
strike the chains from erery Stare within the terri
tories ofM Federal Government. This, sir, is
The great and principal issue On which nearly all
men of all parties at the north unite, which no
party can withstand. Some may hesitate on 9th
et points. but this is one on which we intend to
unite in all elections cmdking il q test tcih all
candidates for election. We mean to WELD the
government for the purpose Of maintaining the
freedom of every foot Of soil subject 10 the laws OF
Congress, and against the extension OF the slave
power, by admitting any new slave States"
In total disregard of all the obligations to aid
in CARRYING into effect the fugitiyo,sla law, by
the Marshals, MIR. Giddings, speaking for the
north, SAYS: mo law ,ciH, no larc can, compel
US to catch the slaves"
.Ihere is, there can be no la,c. 'Chich ,c'atorce
northern, men. elevated and intelligent treemen,
to turn ont and rive chase after runaway slaves.
Popula; sentiment is against tour feelings OF hu-
manitv our principles VI cHt's'i','''J 'S Iii
constitutional rights are opposed 10 ii. we WIZ
live up to all our constitutional oblIgations-lere
we stop" &c. g..
As to the inter slave trade, he says 80 lar
as the transportation ofslaveS from one slave olaLe
to another, internally is concerned, nave nom
ing 10 do 1t is the coastwise slave trade upon
the high seas. that propose to prcrem
Congress have the right to make regulations
for The navigation Of the high seas, and oe'"e
that this shall be one Of them" In reference 10
senator Wilson's views of slavery and lis rights
under the constitution, he, Mr.. G., says en-
dorse that part of it written by MIR. Wilson; July;
might have gone more into detail, but II | bad
undertaken TO do it in a brief and comprehensive
manner, should probably have done it IN nearly