Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-03-23
~, -. cd,,o,s or tbe H,clmoud Enou,,cr :.

To The Editors Of the RIcAmond Enquirer:
An editorial in yonr paper of Monday has attracted
INV notice. Much of it, Am sure, il founded in ms'
apprehension and want of knowledge OF facts. L
think you have not considered the matter with your
usual care when you disposing Of questions affect.
~, the rghts and interests of Virgins. But have
only time for few words.
You cav THAT the only undsputed portion OF the
Ohio trnde reserved for our Atlantic country from
Alexandria TO Norfolk ranges from Parkersburg IN
Cstl.,sburg" Is not THE total misrepresentation
Whit do you mean by the Ohio trade! You seem 10
me TO euppose. that Virginia is only conendDg for
the trad. which ia literally on the banks or boats OF
he Ohio river. hope You DO not forget that We are
cont.udng for the trade of the whole valley of the
Ohio river and for much of that of the upper Mssis
sippi. We are looking for tbs business Tor a share
ct nj of Missouri Southern Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and
Kentucky; and New York, Philadelphia and Balti
more are each looking after the cams, and each with
great industry and avdy are attracting the same by
their present great railroads, and by every new ave-
nus they can open, which IMPROVES or tends 10 im
prove aud increase their busnss or The advantage OF
ihsr RESPECTIVE routes You seem to eupposs that the
travel aud produce of these crest Western States
dssipned to 90 South of New York. first get into
boats on the Ohio river, and there select their route
across the Allegheny mountains You forget
,bink that .hess Western States have railroads, and
thar The road or route the ONO and over the
Allegheny is determined before passengers or produce
leave the ports and towns and cities OF the West IL
ought always to be remembered that Fennsyvania
.rn TRACE which are properly, but at large cos,
| .Ddeavoring TO attract 10 our seaports aud Cities
and that each has ts own great railroad across the
Allegheny the Ohio, and that each ia formidable
and dangerous rival, but that Pennsylvania has yet
no right of way in Virginia unless it is paper one
| and THAT If 1T had. 1T GIVES NO REAsos WAY
| IT SHALL NOW HAVE MORE. And it ought also
never to b- forgotten. that tn. business man at
| n, I,ouis or Hannibal-at Alton or Spring
| 6sld-at Indianapolis, Tere haute, Dayton, Gin
| c,urs,i or COLUMBUS, chooses his route across the
| mountains, uot when he or his produce gets 10 the
Ohio river but before either passes into boat or
rail road car for the East. 1t is the superiority OF
route in point OF d. ance, Of grade, climates
facility in crossing the river, So, &C., which give
! one route the advantage over another. And tins
| question is decided before passenger or produce
| LEAVES FOR THE ATLANTIC.
| II We in Virgins only cOntendiDg for the trade
| and travel. which lies between Parhersburg end the
mouth Of Big Sandy, then we contending Tor no.
thing, and advise, that in such case, we at once
think 40 poorly Of my State, that the case ID
10 bad with Philadelphia has yet no road in Vir
ginia unless it is PAPER ONE and the Que Baltimore
haa is not our equal, owing TO it's length and Tia high
and dangerous grades: and neither has yet that NE
cessary incident TO such roads, the right OF bridging
| the Ohio.
| But as they are nevertheless dangerous aud form
dable rivals Of ours why shall add anything I"
the advantage Of either, or remove any disadvantage
either abors under? Itis bad argument, that,
because We have given Baltimore the right OF way,
! We must therefore, give the like right 10 Philade.
phia or that because We have already given away
much, We shall! now give away more; and it is still
more suicidal that, because the Pennsylvania road
il too long, We must help her to shorten it, That We
ought to enable her to get to the State Of Ohio at
SteubenviIle and elsewhere, TO the beet advantage
and we ought to allow her TO cross the Pan Handle
where Virginia ia only four miles wide. that she may
save twenty eiyn, mea in distance aud give her ii=
right 10 bridge the Ohio into the bargain Aud the
truth is, if The maps 10 be relied on, she saves
much more than twenty eight miles by the privilege
OF Crossing territory.
make the above observations, because ! think
they fairly illustrate the effect of your remarks but
| winch have not time to copy or condeRse. BAIL
| more can, with the right OF way in Pennsylvania.
reach Wheeling by rail road eighty miles. there
aeouts shorter than the present one to the Ohio,
with low grades, aud saving in cost OF
| construction Of about ONE HALF. Yet, Penusylva.
MIA TO protect Pittsburgh and her own Central
| Road, refused TO grant such a right of way
across her territory: and you inform US. that Mary.
land, lest Baltimore might be injured has retussd
the right Of way to the airline railroad. from New
| Jersey, TO Cape Charles. Aud must confess. il
understand you, that your mode of meeting THE dis
position the par. of these Stales TO protect their
| own interests. Is TO ny MIND, NOT LITTLE s;NGu.
LAR. If understand you, you propose to give these