Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-02-13
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP

WASHING TON NEWS AND GOSSIP
Western Virginia The extension and
completion Of the Virginia and Tennessee and
the COvington sad Ohio railroad, is evidently
T. pour into Western Virginia-thas is, into
tbs extreme western portion Of the State-an
immense amount Of capital owned at the
North and in Europe, now seeking safe as we'll
as profitable Investment. There is great
sverplus Of inactive apital everywhere just
now, IN the hands of business persons in COM
parstively small sums, the result of the sue
eessful trade in almost all branches Of com
mercial, agricultural and mechanical business
within the last three or four years of unpre-
cedsnted prosperity.
We believe that much more than what under
ordinary circumstances might be termed that
regions legitimate share Of that surplus capt.
tai will be invested in the section of Virginia
to which we refer because, while it is clear
that its lands and industrial enterprises en-
brace guarantees Of heavy profits on invest
ments, there is no danger whatever Of sudden
collspses of trade there-owing to the steadi-
ness that marks all trade under the laws and
customs Of the Old Dominion-such as, TO a
greater or less degree, endanger almost all liz
vestments Of non-residents in new States, the
Legislatures of which arc eternally tinkering
with fixed principles Of commerce, law, &c 3,
to the great danger Of Initiating every thing
stocks, lands, trade, 6c.,-to the point of
bursting, and bringing about heavy losses to
those who, not being present in person, cannot
as well protect their own immediate interests
as those on the spot.
The thoughtless may sheer at Virginia s
fcgyism in invariably rejecting, in matters of
legislation, short cuts to wealth-nestrums for
making in the shortest conceivable tine huge
fortunes for every Spectator around the dig
gipgs. Yet her Legislatures course in this
connection has secured almost universal salts
factory asonable) prosperity for the mass of
her people engaged in business. There is
comparatively 10 absolute want within her
limits, where all may be said to be comfort
able IN their circumstances. This is the CON
dition the community, Of all others, in whose
midst investments Of foreign capital can be
most safely and surely made.
Under such circumstances, knowing az we
do, that the people Of the State have within
the last three or four years sprung to the work
Of developing the resources by which they are
surrounded, agricultural, mineral, &c, and
oy the construction Of prudently planned rail-
roads,) and that they are thus rapidly better
ing their own fortunes, We feel assured that
capital from distance will not long hence be
e1tsr sively feekips profitable Investments in
the localities Of the Safe where these dese'.
opmsnts are most striking. Thus, il CANNOT
possibly be long hence ere the stocks of the
Alexandria and Orange, the Virginia Central
and the Virginia and Tennessee railroads, are
regarded With as much favor by capitalists in
all sections Il the Union az those Of auy other
simdar American works. for the country trib-
ntaIy to them is progressing more surely
'saieiJ,l and, at the same time, as RAPIDLY rs
any cther IN any section Of the Union wa
know Of
We are srEuhed to learn that some Of our
own elaEers a-e taking ADVANTAGE Of this
progress Of the good "Old Dominion - Va
near frequently ct Investments IL sde in var.
Gus parts Of it, and are glad to believe ,bs,
Washington will reap largely Of the profit, Of
Its development. We hear that last ussh
large purchase was made in the rich coal ss,S
Of the valley Of the Great Kanawbs. nv
number Of gentlemen whose names are we'll
known almost throughout the civilized world
as connected With princely fortunes, the result
Of their own sagaciOus energy Better assur
anee could hardly be given Of the value of
these undeveloped resources Of Old Virginia
than that they have attracted the attention of
such class Of purchasers, for they have rarely
followed the current Of Improbable invest
ment
But It needs mo spirit Of prophecy" now to
see that any investments made in. that inter
esung region must almost Immediately secure
ample returns The rapid progress of the
ui'a' alley Of the Mississippi has already
developed the fact that while il il vet in IL,
infancy" it must fad n substitute for lis
supply Ct fuel heretofore drawa from il. for.
e'is- These have disappeared to give pIaes
70 cities towns, manufacturing establishments.
70 TIE Piow and the pasture, while the easv
communication with the markets of the world
HH simulated enterprises to an extent here.