Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-02-19
THE RICHMOND ENQUIRER.
FEBRUARY 10, 1855.
y5sGINlA NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.


Among the pubic works demanding imme-
a;s.o aid A. the hands OF the Legislature,
.,.r6. nre eminent the extension Of the Orange
aud Alexandria Rail Road from Gordonsvine
- J.vnchburs. There are, indeed, very peculiar
and mos, urgent considerations appealing TO the Ge
nsrsl Assembly in behalf this most important work
We are even prepared to say that though we regard
.ha Coyington and Ohio Rail Road, In conne1ion
with the canal, the improvement OF the Slate and
Of the Union, nevertheless, If but single aPpropria'
+on could be afforded that one should be awarded t.
the Gordonsvills and Lynchburg extension because
for the amount to be expended there would be- un
der the circumstances Of the csee larger amount VI
instant beneficial result than could be realized oy an
appropriation to any other Improvement WHATSOEVER
Cpon the genera! merits of this enterprise IL can
scarcely be necessary for US to enlarge. ln 10"
months there will be continuous railway from Mem
pbis on the great father Of waters, 10 Lyncnou.e-
From Gordou.ville there is like continuous Ine 10
Portland, in Maine. This line, from Memphis, Ncr'h
east lie along the natural and most direct route Tor all
tb travel bound from the southwest TO the north and
es,t and from the north and east 10 the south west
Commandipp as il must AID will, the travel OF TWO
vrea, sections Of the Union grea. agricultural
rspiop. between which there must be intimate bnsi-
ness relations it is destined TO be, for travel, one
of the greatest thcrougtfsres IN the whole country
Destined, too, when The TehauR;epeo route shall be
opened-the impediments to which, NO learn, have
been recently and certainly remeved-to monopoiise'
almost. tho travel and tie wail transportation be
tween the Pacific and the Atlantic, 1t 10 10 become
ultimately for mere travel perhaps the Very hrst TAO
roughfare in The Union. No man, looking with phi'
losophic eye, can anticipate for tho great hue OF
American intercommunostion any but the most bril-
isnt destiny. Along this line, too we venture to pre-
diet all the products of the gold mines OF California
and much of the trade Of the Sandwich Islands, aud
even of China are sooner later. TO take transit to
;he East.
Iu such a chain of intercommuucation, who can
tolerate the idea OF msipg link. the want Of which
would destroy the continuity and value, and the ma
;iouality and almost eub!ms greatness OF the whole
But we have strayed from the peculiar coDsiders-
lions that demand immediate aid for the Gordcus
Vile end LynchburS conns1ion
There Ia inancis! reason, which seems to us ire.
sis.ibly conclusive Our public dsbs is large, cur
taxes are heavy. We require every dolls. We eau
iay hand upon as well TO reduce :he public burdens,
As TO complete our many incomplete improvements
IT. therefore, wo have O public work which. when
completed, will certainly bring g revenue into The
Treasury, and the completion of which is clearly
within the means of the State, it is inauiest policy
10 make a. once the appropriation necessary to fin
.sa it.
Sach will be the certain es=c. OF the extension OF
tue Orange and Alexandria Railroad TO Lyucburg.-
There will bs then an unbroken line OF railway
transit from the bleak mills aud frosty plains Of the
North TO the sunny regions of the South Such ,ice'
i, il perfectly manifest must command yes. amount
Of travel. No msa doubts it, or can doubt it. a
In. that brings Portland within sixty, and New York
within forty eight hours Of New Orleans will as sure.
" command an immense through travel, as that wa
.er will fud it's level the falling apple tend to tho
ground.
The sure effect OF this large travel will be- TO make
profitable our whole limo OF rail road f:on the Ten
nessee line TO Alexandria.
The extent of the prof. may he known from TIE
statistic. of the case We have invested ir the Viz
ginia and Tennessee rail road and tia Orange and
Alexandria, the large amount Of four millions and
wards, which is now unDrodcc.sve. Complete tho
G1rdonsvil!e and Lynchburg conneIon. and we cou.
Tert iou- millions OF uuproductive into productive
e,ock in other words, put into the treasury sore
tso hundred and f:ty thousand dollars almost g.
oace, 6ad afterwards even more. Those, therefore.
vino want revsnae. and advocate economy, should
1859 tins in voting IN appropriation, or other sd
eluste provision icr fhs proposed extension.
Bat an ac,ua! appropriation i, no, even ssked.
The bill before the Legislators is 70. losu aud tie
conpany havir: income of some $780, 00o or more.
have ample means 10 pay runctualy t!,e interest on
the loan So that this Invaluable work ngy be CON-
e,sd in very short period without the subtraction
Of dollar from the T,easu.y, while it is absolutely
certain that. from the very day OF its completion, i,
vii! make essential contribution to the Treasury.
Under suoh circumstances VIA. can the Legislature
d. but pass the bill!