Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-04-09
n,inp M more and more as population mutiplies;


If the emigration of a slave from Virginia had been
prohibited by law fifty years ago, she Wouid now hf
without rival in the Union. The African race cup
plies us with tue most effective nanuai iaoor OF The
world, and the brain and the will OF the white race
are here to direct and control it.
Before passing to the Covington and OHIO Road
will notice very briefly several OF the bills which
have been reported by the Committee OF Roads. In
that remarkable blending Of diverse interests for
which are indebted TO tho Committee, and in
which the principle Of union is 40 strong as to unite,
AZ with a band Of iron, tide.water, Piedmont, the
Vallsy and trans-Alleghany country, the wants OF
the South side are, In measure represented by the
bill for the extension of the Dsnvills Road. can
present work much more worthy of the aid of the
State and the favorable action OF the Senate than
this extension. refer 10 the extension Of the Roa
noks Valley Rail Road. This, sir, would be short
link u the chain which, when completed will secure
to the cities of Virginia the trade Of the whole system
of roads of North Carolina; whereas the Dsnve ex
tension will not, with prudent regard for The inter
esis of the State, halt at the base Of the mountains
but aspres to the destruction of the Tennessee road
at Wythevle.
have found myself utterly unable to discover the
rits of the Petersburg and Norfolk Road havs grown
us with the idea that transportation by water was cheap
or nn that by railway, and convinced. now, hatit
folly for Indebted State to aid in the construction OF
rail road between two points already united by navca
BILE river 1t to tat when New York found
it necessary her Interests build road along the
Hudson Albany that city, with the towns In its inme
0lHte vicinity, udu pOpudtOn OF more lHaH
lion of inhabitants.
The Lynchburg and Alexandria road strikes me as being
potent for mischief and impotent for COOL 1t will impair
the value Of some of the important lines OF our State
and ure cities Alexandria anguished for
years under the shadow OF Federal Capitol and It's re
procession has given us another centre TO At the
pense Of the State and the unity of system OF Improve
Sir ourLeg islaures hitherto in their heray to
this city have been guided by the moral conveyed IN
the parable OF the Prodga Son. who ookhs journey into
far country and IN the extremity OF his want would tnin
have satisfied his hunger with the usks that the swine did
eat. When he returned to the paterna roof rcpenant
and naked the best robe was put upon him. and the attad
calf killed for him; and what the reply of the father
the reproaches of the elder broher This thy brother
was dead and is alive again. Lost and IL found The
return of her lost child has cost Virginia millions But
SIR mean disrespect to the city Of Alexandria for in
my heart, honor every spot OF Virginia soil and every
portion at her people, whether they have been with US
from the beginning or have returned 10 the condition OF
predigal son.
The time already consumed By me warns pass by
other bills reported by the Committee OF Roads In order
of the Covington and Ohio Rail Road BILL which is the
only one that will receive my support
Sir. when recall to my mind the influences which now
carry slaves from u.s. and those which shut emf.
grants from borders am compelled conclude tina,
they be counteractc except by the creation nt
and overpoucring interest. before which all obss
cles advancement shall yield by the fiat OF ON
impotence. That interest may through the mist
which dims vision Of the future, and vel, when my
heart swcs with aspirations for tho greatness and pros
psrity OF Virginia, Il stands out Ike rainbow OF hope
and OF PROMISE Ii IL that commercial power and devc
opment which have crowded the wharves Of New York
with the products of every zone have attracted to her
hnrbOr the flag of every naton and enronpd her upon
her bay, but with more than monarch's dominion.
Sir purely agricultural State may rejoice in album
dance, may hive well regulated government NAV en-
Joy exemption from the cashngs Of capital und labor
and the turbulence Of hungry mobs but the right OF
national greatness will be wanting and Ia that
lated capital of trade and commerce. that powerful lever
which digs canals tunnels mountains, and whtens the
ocean with shipping.
ltiI to the creation Of great trade through State
by the Covnxton and Ohio Rail Road hnt look for the
annlhation Of the fatal influences which have hitherto
excluded the labor Of other States and countries from
Virginia. The population that will not our border
to take up waste lands and till our fields with ouI
slaves will vet come to To man ships TO I'LL on
counting and to work IN the factories which viii
spring up when part OF the great trade OF the
slavery the assertion that aych0ding State lie not
ceptibe Of every form Of development and especially
that it 10 incapable of attaining commercial power.
u you will look upon the map Of Virginia. you will find
sir that with the exception Of the Tennessee and Covng
ton and Ohio Roads improvements will secure Tor III
no great trade without the limits of the State. do
share the sangulne expectat OF many In reference
the Tennessee Road That improvement passes through
narrow valley In State. ard when the Tonnes
Roads which proong it, reach the cotton country
the West they strike rivers flowing Into the Mississippi
and there are reasons which have time detail tina
have destined New Orleans to be the best marke
Tor cotton In this country.
We will look in vain the local roads Of the State Il
bsild up commerce for Virginia. would require more
than fifty thousand hogheads Of tobacco and fourteen
millions Of bushels Of wheat, If they were concsn
trated at single point, to convert Norfolk into Ne"
York
The latter city does not derive her wealth and power
from the trade Of single State She only united he
harbor with the great chain OF lakes but Is connected by
railroads canals with the most remote parts OF tn.
West Philadelphia s not limited 10 the trade OF Penn
syvanana alone she has wisely secured connection
with the Ohio and Western system OF roads But sir the
example of Maryland, especially is full OF instruction Il
U.s. Not many years ago. she was purely Agricultural
State like Virginia was weakened by the same exhaust
inn drain OF her labor To the South and trembling on
the verge Of reputation when her great work, IA IT hp
preached the Ohio began to nlus new hopes and ener
gies into her people aud TO pour new wealth into her lap
Baltimore from having been scc0nrate city, advanced
within few years from 60 900 to nearly 100000 inhab
tans r trade attracted capital and enterprise
from every part Of the nn and in spite OF her opprcs
sion taxation, shallow harbor distance from The ocean
that city has now more than the population oil all the
cities OF Virginia
While sir believe that the roads which we have fur.
nished and nearly all in process of construction are
utterly incompetent accomplish any great changes in
Virginia. 1t 10 my conviction that tho CoVington and Ohio
alone when completed will produce revolution in our
condition. If other roads are for the most part mere
rad which will carry speedily to market the pro.
ductions Of Virginia. without increasing the number Of
her aborers here Ia work which will bring doors
the boundipss riches of tic West and annhilate the
etaces which have hitherto retarded progress Viz
gina sir has great destiny before her, end tho course
to be pursued by her is clearly marked cut.
re she cannot compete with the Staes South OF us az
agricultural State retain her labor, the way s
before her by which she may escape herpureY aer
cultural condition, and, following the example OF Mary
land, commence to iufl a destiny a commercial
and manufacturing State. She enter upon her new
career without endangerng the existence Of the ns,tu
ton OF slavery and with this conviction look 10 the iu
without apprehensions
Sir, will not weary the Senate with statistics and the
reports of engineers but the Covingon and Ohio road in
its light grades and comparative freedom from the SHOWS
and ice which Interrupt communication with the West on
more Northern routes will present the most overwheIn
iDg advantages And il would be, sir, in eminent de-
gree State work. With sparse population scattered
along its route passing almost the whole way through
mountainous and barren country which dries the plough
this work would benefit locality; 1t would accom-,
psh great results until reaching the Ohio. It would
pour the trade Of the West into the lap Of our Stale
Cnlplete this artery through Virginia. and By law oil
time and space which yields to the will Of you
will force through mountain eorgcs and ncross the
plains Of the East vast trade, which will build up cities
and villages along rivers send out commercial ma.
rine from our harbors ~ the most distant parts Of the
EARTH and naugurse for us new career oil power ana
glory. ~, >,
to day. assumes gigantic proportions "a we survey in
s future development The frontiers OF civilization are
vet to bn extended hundreds Of miles, population to be
come Dense and broad valleys, and praes OF inefhaus
tbc fnry yield their increase to the ahor Of
an energetic and thrifty people The trail OF cmlgraon
which, "a has besn we'll said, has burst into states a. it
has advanced, will not halt until IT has reacnch the basc
Of the Rocky Mountains. see
Sir the hopes and aspirations OF the people Of virginia
point the completion II the Covneon ana ONO ROAD
alone can this Commonwealth become in industrial de
yelopment and material prosperity what she is now In
al aud political inuencehe first OF the states "l the
Union. 80
II remarked yesterday, by distinguished srna
tor that the Father of his Country. in his almost oms'
cicnt wisdom, forcsaw that wealth na! power for the
State of his birth and affections were 10 be obtained
through work uniting the waters OF the ONO ana CheSa
pealc Now that about 10 celebrate the compile
ton of noble monument, which will be Tor MI tnc All
enduring memorial of his virtues and our gratitude re-
newed cdur part fuhl hs patriotic aspiration
for Vreniu will be another and welcome offering TO ms
grent spirit.
BURNING OF THE STEAMER SULTAN
FURTHER PARTICULARS.
We have already announced the burning OF the
steamer Sultan in the Mississippi near ST. GeneVleve'
on Friday morning last. The following ale the names
of the persOns known to he lost
James Pogue, Albert Pogus and Mrs. Julius p"cue,
all of La Grange, Mo-; Mrs Cheatham. Baton Rouge
La, $. d. Wolfnrk Of Scottvle, III Henry Ely d.
ID, Moore, Jos Blackburn, Dennis Callahan, Martin