American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1858-03-19

ROAD connections. 1t is the money oi
the South that builds these great North
ern cities. 1t is the trade of the South
that sustains its rail roads; and these
people at the North understand this
subject SO well, that if their rail roads
never yielded a dividend, they would
make large investments to complete
them in order to secure the benefits OF
this great Southern trade.
What is the fact in regard to the en-
hancement of property in Virginia and
the West. Take the contrast between
Richmond and Chicago. According to
the report before me, it requires nine
teen years for property in Richmond
to double its value, while in Chicago
ut doubles in value every year. In
1888, as we were told by the gentle.
man from Marion (Mr. Haymond), We
only had few miles of railroad, and
the consequence has been, but very
slow increase in the value of property,
only doubling within nineteen years in
the city of Richmond, while in Chicago
it doubles every year. Why is it SO
1t is because of the internal improve
ments in tho West, which have given
extensive facilities to trade and com
merce. Chicago has thirteen railroads
centcring within it's limits, which draw
the exhaustless wealth from the basin
of the Mississipph increasing hundred
fold, the value of the property through
which, they pass. Suppose that the
trade of the Southwest Which now goes
to the North were to be diverted to- our
seaboard, would it not enrich us to a
degree not to be estimated? And vet,
this could be accomplished by the com
pletion of the railroad system which we
have inaugurated, and which the gen
tleman from Preston 80 mach condemns.
There are millions Of acres of Southern
domain yet to be brought into cultiva-
tion which might be made to produce
double the amount that they are now
producing. Look at Virginia. Look
at her agricultural position; and ask is
it not a shame, with all her advantages
OF position, that New York is the com
mercial emporium of these States from
Tennessee to Louisiana. The products
OF that country, if our system of i'm
Iprovements were complete, would reach
the seaboard, at least three days sooner
than they would the port of N. York.
Then, sir, with this one hundred and
thirty millions Of dollars worth of trade
pouring over our Virginia railroads,
does any man suppose, for moment,
that these railroad improvements will
not directly benefit every interest in
the State? But, Mr.. Speaker, we are
told in the midst of this splendid career
to stop, to pause and allow gentlemen
an opportunity of trying financial
experiment, of feeling the pulse of the
people, and ascertaihing whether they
will stand anything, in the way of ap-
preparations, at this session. ] have
the highest regard for the opinions of
gentlemen with whom / differ on this
occasion. | know that they entertain
their opinions honestly. ! have not
the least doubt that the people have all
required that we should stop in the
midst of this career of ours to try an
experiment Of finance, all based prob
ably upon tho disposal of all the inter
est which the State has in internal i'm
provcments. 1t may be, sir, that this
House is disposed to follow in the wake
of public opinion. / shall choose to
influence and form public opinion, and
| shall not be regulated in my action
here by what public opinion might be,
but by my own convictions of right,
and by the dictates Of my judgment. :
/ do not come here to reflect the old,
stale opinions of others. [ have opin-
ions of MY own, and I mean to express
them honestly, candidly and indepcn,
IDENTIFY. ha a8Ig' '.s'
1t has been said, Of Northwestern
Virginia, that she has not received
much from the Legislature Of Virginia.
That is true ;'but that shall not con.
stitutc reason why / will refuse to do
what | think TO DO right That she
has not received more is not my fault
and wherever the sin lies, let that in.
divldual be accountable. Our position
is somewhat isolated-our country is n
glorious oountry--wc hear it called
Northwestern Virginia. Gcographi
cally, VIC arc in the Northwest; but
socially, politically, and in all the grca
interests of this State, VIC are nothing
but Virginians. Iknow no other feel
lngs-. acknowledge no other feelings
| profess no other feelings i am dc.
termlncd to be governed by no ethe,
feelings. The idea Of Virginia hayin.
antagonistic interests this distinction
OF East, West, North and South, re