The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-06-18

brave men. She has connected the James River by
iron ligaments with the Father of Waters and is
scarping her mountain ranges westward, to open
up the coal region of the kanawha River and to
share in the agricultural products of the Ohio val
ley. 1t is brave endcavor, and if the work is
zealously pressed forward, will eventually place
her IN the fore front of the commercial States. 1t
was no triiing labor to give mobility to so inert
mass covering so large an expanse of territory and
operated upon by diverse interests. But the feat
has been accomplished and from the increase of
momentum that will naturally follow persistent
effort, let us hope that our huge and somewhat I'M
wiedy neighbor will derive commensurate advan-
tages. Much yet, however, remains to be done,
and upon the of these collateral operations
the permanent usefulness of the internal improve
ments now in progress will mainly depend. For
two centuries the planting interests of Virginia
have been paramount. They have controlled her
legislation; they have kept down the growth of her
cities and are to considerable extent responsible
for the torpor that has pervaded her BODY polite
But with the decadence of the tide-water coun-
ties, and the vigorous increase in wealth and pop
ulation of the Western and South Western sections
of the State, new ideas have been preached and
new energies evoked If Virginia has no COM
mercial emporium adequate to the disposal
of her own products, still less is she able to
dispose of the products brought over her Great
Central Railway from other States With mac
nifcent harhor on the sea board, capable of float
ing the largest war ships, and with bold broad
outlet to the Ocean, but few miles distant. she
derives no corresponding benefit from her admira-
Al,
capacities equal, at least to those of anv of the
Southern tier of States, and superior to most of
those of States to the Eastward, she vet remains
subject to all the inconvenience that are incident
al to remote inland settlement Richmond. her
chief city, though picturesquely seated among the
hills that overlook the rapids of the James River
is only approachable by water through n sinuous
channel, too shallow for merchant vessels beyond
City Point, and, apart from the expenses that are
thereby incurred for lightcrage is too far distant
from the sea TO enter into successful competition
with ports more favoraby situated If therefore.
Virginia would engage in a direct trade with
Europe, Norfolk must inevitably become the en-
Hep@ of her domestic products and of her
foreign purchases. Conscious of this fact the
merchants and manufacturers of Lvnchburr,
have already taken the preliminary steps towards
promoting direct trade between that CITY and
Norfolk. This initial movement. the Lyncbburr
P~ginidn regards as but the prelude to another of
far greater Importance. In the same column
which contains the announcement of the arrival of
committee from Norfolk to confer with the citi-
Zens OF Lynchburg, on the subject of direct commu-
ncation with the Sea board that journal refers as
an example worthy to be followed by Virginia. to
the measures that have been taken by Detroit. and
Cleveland, and other cities on the Northern Lakes.
to establish regular trade with European PORTS
Abiding to shipment recently made from Detroit
directly to Liverpool, the Viryinian asks "Was
"ths an exceptional case merely? was it n mere
"spasmodic effort which the people of Detroit
"made to inauguratea policy which would soon
have to be abandoned? Not at all. The vessel
=" which started from Detroit for Liverpool laden
with slaves and lumber, was one of a line @ E
regular packets. 1t was not solitary vovaper
upon the ocean, going forth for one trip alone.
" Every week, another one of the same line sets sail
for the same portland thus an interior CITY of
1.-The American continent finds ITSELF by the energy
land the enterprise of its people, established on
firm basis of direct and intimate commercial 70
lations with the leading seaport of the old world
''While Norfolk has been sitting down, with folded
'hands, gazing listlessy upon the blue sea-water
''of Hampton Roads, the merchantmen of Detroit.
'have been ploughng the dangerous channel of
the ST. Lawrence river in search of the broad ocean
(which rolls its surges the very feet of Norfolk
''But this is not all'' continues the Virgiaiaa.
''the success of Detroit has stimulated other cities
con the Lakes 10 the same endeavor Cleveland
''has caught the infecton-and on the 10Th of Nav.
1.-THE magnificent spectacle was presented to that
"city, of four vessels-fonr of the white WINGED
messengers of COMMUNICATING at the same
'tme for Liverpool" Virginia has unquestion-
ably all the great articles of export which are
essential to carrying on successfully the operations
OF commerce If she possesses also but 1.-THE ofhat
spirit of adventure which charactcrizes the people
OF the Northwest the day is not far distant when
she will direct all her energies towards building up
at Norfolk commercial marine, that will prove an
honor to her ancient NAME and a source of wealth
to her people.