Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1857-06-02

Railroads in the south.
The increase and extension of railroads in the
South within few years past, is one of the
most gratifying signs of the times, rs well IA the
stevidence of our material progress. and rapid
advancement in wealth. The reproach, which
j, has long been the custom Of the North to cast
upon the South, Of tagging behind in the great
rnce of commercial and agricultural development,
!. no l1nger deserved. Without the aid of that
immense capital which has accumulated at the
North, from the profits of large manufacturing
estahishments-from almost total monopoly
of the importing business Of the oountry-and
from the influx of California gold, the South has
set on foot, and is now urging torapid compile
ton, railroad system which is destined Mt once
TO rebuke the pretentious boasts Of our Northern
neighbours, and to infuse fresh vitality and vigor
into every department of Southern industry.
1t is only few days ago chronicled the
completion Of that grand enterprise of the age
the fgurative union Of the waters of the Atlantic
with those Of the Mississippi, by a CONTINUOUS
railroad line from Charleston Ia Memphis
Crossing the Mississippi. Memphis has projected
another road transversng the productive cotton
course of time to reach the Pacific on the South.
ern coast of California. Kentucky, Tennessee,
Mississippi and Alabama have each inaugura,ed
era of internal Improvement, promising in the
future the most brilliant and satisfactory results.
In every quarter of the South the same spirit
anmates the people-and the time is not far dis
tant when every Southern city of any
quence will be the centre from which magnificent
railways will radiste in every direction.
The benefits Of this will consist not alone in
the facilities which will thereby be offered to
the agrouturists of the South for the cheap aud
rapid transportation of their productions to mar
ket II will be also valuable, in n political point
of view, by releasing tho South from its dcpon-
denoe upon Northern limos Of tran sportationand
by tending TO encourage IN export and import
trade from the Southern cities OF the Atlantic
seaboard The dawn of so glorious oonsumma.
ton is already scotland it stimulates the ener.
ges Of the South. the first indication of day
light rovives the tagging strength of the weary
and benighted traveller.
In the grand results which are destined to be
accomplished by the railroads of the South, yir.
ginia has an especial and peculiar interest Her
State. With the finest harbors and most ca
paclous roadstesds of any State on the Allan
tie; free alike from the rigors of the Northern
winter, and the enervating Influences of the warm
of the South; with hardy and industrious
population; and with internal resources of her
own the value Of which has yet to be appreciated
she has only to keep pace with the march of
eventsi in the Southern States to be the main re-
cipient of the almost fabulous wealth which will
inevitably result from the commercial indepen.
dence ofthe South.
The people OF the North have grown rich and
powerful by acting as the factors of the South
With no exports of their own, they hive virtual.
ly monopolised the export trade of the country.
The tobacco cotton, rice, and other productions
of the South have constituted the basis Of both
their export and import trade aud. unmindful Of
the source from which they have drawn their
wealth. they superoilioasy reproaeh the South
with its imbecty. and falsely lay the charge at
the door of slavery.
Not many years will elapse before rovolu-
ton will occur in the commerce of the country.
which will divert the bulk of the foreign trude of
the country into new channel. Practical men
not mere speculative theorists have taken The
matter in charge, and are about to accomplish
Substantial results. The future is not very dis
tant when that North which has so derided and
maligned u.s. will sue adectly at our feet for par
ticipaton in the magnificent prosperity. which
will accompany and succeed the completion o,
our internal improvements, and the establishment
of foreign trade from our own shores.