Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1858-11-09
The Virginia Water Line-nr Btsbie's
Pamphlet

Pamphlet
Our readers will recollect pamphlet published
last winter BY Mr. d. T. Bisbie. Of Norfolk. urg'
ling the speedy completion Of the great Central
Water Line of Virginia, n measure demanded
lby the best interests of the State. well A. some
thing absolutely necessary for the foreign CON-
merce not of Virginia only. but of all the States
Of the Ohio and Mississippi Valley
We male liberal extracts from the pamphlet at
the time, and we predicted that its cogent facts
and irresistible arguments would yet make an
abiding impression upon the people OF Virginia
Nor are we disappointed. Many Of the papers Of
Western and Southwestern Virginia are re-pub-
fishing the leading points Of this able Appeal
papers which have no special interest in the Wa
ter Line, but are actuated alone by general re-
gard and interest for the welfare and future pros
per,v Of our noble old Commonwealth.
Among Others. the Pafriof, published at indie
pendence in the county Of Grayson. has an arsi-
Gle on the subject. from which we make the follow
ing extract.
As the Norfolk Day Book truly observes, Of this
Pamphlet, NO paper upon State policy has ever
been published in Virginia. Of equal import and
suggestion; and we make bold to predict and
with reasons for the declaration, that its doctrines
will eventually become the paramount policy Of
the Commonwealth"
We are indebted to Mr.. d. 7. Bisbie, for
namphlet copy of his Appeal for IA speedy com
ple,ion Of the Water Line Of Virginia, connecting
the magnificent harbor Of Norfolk with the ia
Their of Waters" and its tributaries. We have
read and examined the Appeal and are salts
fed from the statistics adduccd. and the able rea-
,oning Of the author upon the facts produced that
the work in question, if completed, would do
more than anything else to develop the vast re-
sources of Virginia and to build up, foster, nour-
is and support Norfolk. the best seaport city in
the Union We would like very much to spread
the able reasoning and facts Of the author OF the
appeal entire before our readers. but want OF
room iorbids us. We will. however, give n few OF
the most prominent facts it contains ~ as to give
some faint idea of the greatness and grandeur oi
the work so ably advocated by the author.
Mr. Bsbic sets out with the idea that Virginia.
instead Of lcgislaing for herself has been logsla-
ting for the General Government aud the whole
world, thereby falling from the proud position she
once occupied-that Of the first Stat" Of the Union
a, the time Of and before the ''Revon,ion. to
that Of fourth-rate power now in the coniederacy
# States.
1t is undeniably true. as the author of the "Ap-
peal" asserts that the cause Of Virginia decline
IN political power, is mainly attributable To her
want Of legislation upon subjects affecting the de-
,elopment Of her own resources. The completion
of the Water Line will not cost more than SlO,-
900 O0O-an insignificant sum. indeed. when ITS
completion would command the trade 81 country
equal in extent to ut least ten of the most power
tul governments in Europe. The fact is unqncs
tonably established by the author OF the "Ap-
peal"
Mr.. Bisbie goes to show conclusivcly that
New Orleans. the apparent outlet for the trade OF
tho upper western waters, never can command
the trade account oil nsuperahle natural diff
,ultcs that as between New Orleans and New |
ork for the trade of the Northwest New York |
would command it for all time to come, Mongh
.er Canal be frozen up for three, four on fre months
in he year. and even during the time Of the great |
st demand for transit. 1t is. however, very |
crafty ing fact. abundantly demonstrated by the
author Of tho Appeal that when Nirginia's
taiurai water line is mplctcd all tho trade Of
he upper Western Statcs,' would rs certainly
20 to Norfolk for an outlet to the ocean. rs that
night follows day. The reasoning upon this sub
cct is conclusive. and self interest would be tho
motive. The route through Virginia
to the ocean would he nearly four dollars cheaper
upon n ton Of freight than the route Ivy the lakes
t" New York and everybody would naturally pre-
fer tho cheapest route.
1t is proved in the Appeal" tina, the greatness
Of New York City is mainly attributable To her
western trade. Why then cannot Norfolk, with
the advantage Of the trade of the mighty West,
become the empire City of the Union! Nothing
is wanting to make Norfolk the commercial capi-
tai of the Union but the completion Of the Water
line to the Ohio river 80 ably advocated by Mr..
Bsbic.