Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1857-06-17

nose feutifmen hfe ahsp h'ti
seriptions TO the virginia. Tor the pls..ni IIoNIelar
Southern Ce.ssercc-Thc Position" Of Virginia.
In our article of yesterday we demonstrated,
by official facts and figures, that the productions
of the South constitute tn. basis of nearly all
our foreign commerce. We showed, from rn-
questionable authority, that of the domestic "x
ports of the Union, three. fnurths at least were
the production of Southern soil. We further
showed, tina, Of the annual imports of the United
States, amounting in value Ia nearly three hun
dred millions per annum. the North had seven
eighths. or almost a monopoly.
The pc pie of the South have all along be''ev.
cd that there was inequality in this matter,
but they have never until recently realised its
magnitude. Had the North been content not to
in,ermeddle with the domestic institutions Of the
South, perhaps the Southern people would have
quietly permitted this state of things In con'in
ne. An agricultural people by inheritance aud
by choice, they would have remained satisfied
that the North should be their factor, acting as
the intermediate agent between them aud the
commercial classes OF Europe.
But the ~ systematic attack made upon the South
and her institutions by the North, has not been
wholly ~fruitless Of good, if it has awakened us 10
n lust conception Of our resources and "A proper
appreciation Of our commercial advantages. II
it has turned our minds TO n contemplation OF
freedom from commercial vnssalage 10 tho North,
deplorable as the means used may be, we will
be fully Unidentified in the inevitable results.
Taking it for granted that the South is jus,
beginning a new era Of commercial adventure, IT
becomes a question. what point on the Southern
coast is most happily situated, in all respects,
for being the nucleus of a foreign trade. We
think ii easy of demonstration that Virginia pos
sesses facilities and advantages for such "a pur
pose superior TO those Of any other State.
In the first place the productions of the Ohio
and Mississippi vnllies can roach the seaboard
in no way, in so short IA distance and at 80 little
expense. as across the State of Virginia. a
glance at the map will demonstrate that the
shortest transit from West TO East is right
through the heart of Virginia. An actual nd-
measurement Of distances confirms tho co1clu-
sion.
But it is mainly in the fact that Virginia alone,
of all the Southern States, possesses water oom-
munication extending far into the Interior, that
she has the advantage. 1t is a well established
truth that the transportation of heavy tonnage
is far cheaper by canal than railroad. In the
James River and Kanawha Canal. therefore. eS-
tending from tidewaier to the foot OF the noun
tain, Virginia has an avenue for the domestic
commerce of the West which places her immeas.
urably in advance of any other State of the
South.
Thus. the products of the Mississippi valley,
even in the present unfinished state of our Ga.
nal. W ,uld need comparatively little land ear
riage in seeking the seaboard through Nlrg'nia-
while, through any other State. it would be land
carriage altogether. From the mouth of the
Kanawha river 10 Covington would ha all the
land carriage necessary and when the Canal II
finished through to "a connection with the Ohio
as it must be in course of time, we will then have
uninterrupted water communication between the
whole valley of the Mississippi and ills tributaries
and the capes Of Virginia. A steamboat nigh
be loaded at Dubuque, or at Fort Leavenw"rtl
six hundred miles west of ST. Louis. and its car
60 deposited a, Norfolk. brought by water al
the way, and with only one break of bulk. IL
her James River and Kanawha Canal, Nirgini'
has a magnificent treasure, which she has neve
yet appreciated as she ought.
In extent and capacity Of harbors, no othe
State on the Atlantic can compete with Virginia
Her beautiful Bay seems to have been special
provided by Providence for the mmod
of the necessities of an immense CONNIE ce. !
sufficient depth Of water to admit vessels of tn
largest class-safe and commodious retreats fror
the fury Of the storm genial climate-and
freedom. except at rare intervals, from the rava
Res Of epidemic disense-these all. common
Chesapeake Bay as the natural snirepot of tn
productions Of the fertile West.
We do not say thus much ou, of jealousy
any other State that might contest with US tn
carrying trade Of the interior. On the contrar,
we believe that if we could free ourselves entireI
from any dependence upon the North there wouI
be a suficiency of employment IF this kind
test the capacities and engage the energies
every city on the Atlantic seaboard which h,
any pretensions to q harbor suited to foreip
commerce. Two hundred millions of value.
domestic exports, annually sent away from Souf
ern ports. and q like value of articles OF foreie
manufacture received and distributed every yea
would be amply sufficient. without making al
allowance for the natural and inevitable increas
to enrich every Southern maritime city. I'll
wealth which has built up New York, Bosto
and Philadelphia would, just as ossuredl
build up Norfolk, Charleston, Savannah, Mobi
and Ne~ Orleans.
But Our object is. more particularly. to CO,
vince the people Of Virginia Of the magnificent
Of The prize for which they are struggling.