Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1857-05-15

yrRGrslA's REsoURCES.-FoRElGN TRADE.
On W-d,es,,y u.orning we laid before our read
.rs an elaborate letter from Governor Wise, which,
while it was an able exposition of the data upon
which the industrial interests of Virginia are based,
IS afforded evidence of the propriey and prscti'
cabilty Of pushing forward tho internal improve
ments Of the State, with energy and vigor.
The resources of Virginia remarkable for va
ytety as we'll proliGcacy Agriculture, commerce.
md manufactures alike adapted to the develop
msnt of our wealth. and invited into exercise by the
unrivalled advantages Of soil and climate suited 70
cereal grain. OF all kinds water power and fuel con-
yenieutIy available and rivers, roadsteads aud har-
bors equal to any in the world. An impetus has
been given to each of these branches of business and
trade by the system of internal improvements, which
has been 60 bravey begun, and which only awaits
completiento render State, industrisy as it is
area3y politically "soveregn of the ascendant IN
the Union.
When agriculture manufactures and commerce
are combined, each and all improved to the highest
point, and theoretically employed, there is no.
thing needed that nature and art contribute to
the physical prosperity Of man.
The State of Virginia produces abundantly; her
manufacturing facilities are being brought more ex-
tsnsvsly and actively into use; and her commerce
must increase in ratio corresponding with her pro-
ducts and her manufactures. As men advance in
civilization and science, Injuries Increase, wants
multiply, and international intercourse is quickensd
extended. The products and works of one climate
exchanged for another; the markets of one hem.
sphere are thrown invitingy open to the other and
commerce becomes almost essential as agriculture
Itself
Tho requirements and appliances of commerce
can, of course, be commanded only by certain SEQ
tions of country. The seacosst and lands along the
river enjoy the advantage Of accessibility to markets.
But unless the rich resources of the interior
abled to contribute their treasures to swell the
goes from the seaboard, it s impossible that the COM
merce of the country can ever be extended beyond
acoastng trade.
Eastern Virginia may ship corn. wheat, potatoes,
peaches, go. to Baltimore, Philsdelphia and New
York, without the aid of interasl improvements But
unless there railroads and canals to convey to
tide water the contents Of the great garners of the
West, we can never have trade with the European
ports And to develop Virginia into that pride and
power, that wealth and strength, to which she is
turally entitled she must have commerce co-eIten
sve with the demand for the products of soil and
manufactures.
The ililoeral and contracted views Of State policy,
which once induced Eastern Virginia to look with
di.fsvor upon extensive works Of internal improve.
ment are no longer entertained; the people have
fected upon the advantages accruing to the entire
State, to the East well West; they have cacu-
lated the cost and anticipated the profits. And the
citizen of the seaboard ardent advocate of
an1 ho tyoo Rod, 80 ,x-
uriance amid the mountains of the West. Railroads
and canals necessary for commerce as agri
cultural implements for tilage. Virginia entered upon
her internal improvements late enough at best, and
to retard them now, when all around us 10 business
and hustle enterprise and energy; when the North is
commanding commerce which should enjoy,
would be suicidal.
Our State abouuds in almost everything that is
wanted by the world. We have the waters to trans.
port what produce, and we must have connections
between the East and West, between all parts and
portions Of Virginia to make our commerce CORES.
pond with our agricultural and manufacturing facili
ties.
A foreign trade once commenced will ramify and
flourish if we have railroads and canals enough con-
verging towards the seaboard to supply the shipping
With freight. Make the means Of conveyance CORES
pond with the capacity of the State to produce, and
in few years line to Havre or to Milford Haven
viii no, b. alone representing the oceanic commerce
OF Virginia.
We heartily trust that the day is not very far inthe
future, when either at Norfolk elsewhere contigu
on. to the Atlantic coast, there will be entrepot
for Southern products to send supplies to the markets
OF he world.
TIE STATE DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION