Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-06-09


1t is we'll known that there are no two por-
lions OF our country, that more imperiOusly
require regular aud expeditions travel line
between them, than the manufacturing and
commercial States and cities of the North
east, aud the wealthy producing States and
cities Of the Southwest. There are no two
portions of our country, that are 50 necessa-
rily dependent upon each other. The very
productions gathered at the different trade
points OF the Southwest, must be had by the
North and Northeast, to sustain their manu-
features and pay for their importatons. The
manufacturers and importations of the East
are necessary for the wants Of the wealthy
and productive Southwest, which neither
imports nor manufactures.
Again, tho very inequalities in the climate
of the two sections, render frequent transmit
grafton between them very desirable, il not alb
soutely necessary. Ia the summer season
the planters and merchants of the Southwest
fy Northward from the miasma Of their Sec
ton, while the severe frOsts Of New York,
New England and Canada, make it almost
equally agreeable, If not equally necessary,
that their more wealthy inhabitants should
spend the winter amid the balmy airs in the
Southwest This thing is becoming more
and more frequent, and the time is coming
when "a winter in New Orleans" will be al
most as much fashionable necessity OF the
Northern cities as "a summer trip NORTH"
is now fashionable necessity of the South
west. The only question Is, which Is the
most direct, most natural, healthy, and at
tractive route between the two great sections
we have Damed.
An Intelligent glance at the map OF the
Union, will sufficiently answer the question.
Beginning at the city of Bangor, Maine, the
observer will notice line of cities in South,
Southwest course to Boston; embracing also
the cities of Augusta, Portland, Portsmouth,
aud NewburypOrt. Thence the line assumes
an almost direct Southwest course to New
Orleans, embracing the cities of Providence,
New Haven, New York, Newark, Trenton,
Burlington, Philadelphia, Wilmington, Bal
timore, Washington, Alexandra, Lynchburg,
Knoxville, Chattanooga, Tuscaloosa, Merldl-
an and Now Orleans.
1t will thus be seen that by singular
confirmation of the country the great COM
mercial sea-ports and cities Of the Union, lie
stretched in one continuous line, pointing al
mostly directly through our city to New Or
leans. All those between Bangor, Maine,
and Alexandria, Virginia, are connected by
direct and speedy lines Of railway communi
cation. Each OF them, moreover, arc points
of conveyance and divergence, bringing to,
and attracting over the great main line we
have suggested, their several contributions
So too the Southwest end of the line, has es-
tablished connections with Mobile, Nicks'
burg, and Memphis; and in few years by
the Cumberland Gap road, will have commu'
nication through Louisville with St. Louie,
and other towns and cities OF the west and
interior. At our city, this great South TEST
and North East line connects with the East
ern and Seaboard cities OF our own State by
the South Side road. Thus the EIrGiaia aud
Tennessee road becomes the grand trunk
of this great line, with diycrging and con-
verging oints at either end. THIS route IT
will be seen, runs along the Southwest and
North East lines of mountains, occupying
the only route for travel in that direction;
and can never tapped by any road, which
could present Inducements for the diver
gence of travel. 1t is plain then, that not
only for the present but for all time, the Va.
and Tennessee road must constitute the lne'
yitable line Of travel between the great pro-
| duciug and the great commercial and manu-
featuring States of the Union. OF this en-
| tire line, only two portons-that between
our city and Charlottesville and that be
tween Meridian and New Orleans, remains
to be completed.
But the new arrangement forcarrylng pas
seneers and mails over the Tehaunrepec route
from New Orleans to San Francisco, will
still increase the importance OF the great
line under review. That the great mass oil
California travel will follow the great mail
over that route, is plain from the fact that
they will thereby avoid nearly three thou
sand miles of hazardous ocean navigation,
and accomplish the trip in but little more
than half the time required on any compe'
ting route. Once at New Orleans there can
be no doubt of their course North and East
| ward--our line taking them over route
which besides being ono third shorter. Is orc
teeming with varied attractions OF beautiful
country; agreeable towns and cities; and at
times with scenery Of surprising beauty-ln
place of the arid, dusty, and unatiractlve
country; and the mosquitoes, tressie-work,
omnibuses, &C., &C., of the route via Charles
ton: or the attenuated and tortuous course OF
the North Carolina Central. 1t requires
only momentary glance at these points Of
comparison to convince any intelligent per
son, that besides being the great travel route
between the great NORTHEAST, and the great
! South. w est and West Of the Atlantic States,
this is to be the future route for the trade,
travel and treasure, between the commercial
and financial emporiums Of the Eastern
and the FL Dorados of the Western slope OF
our great confederacy.
There is snl another fact, which, though
of less significance than either of the others,
! is one of no mean importance. 1t is the
fact that all along the line Of tho Va. and
Tennessee Road lie the "health giving foun-
taips" of Southwest and Central Virginia;
which will always, under any circumstances
be more accessible from this road, than from
any other that can be established, besides
its more immediate proximity to the Peaks
of Otter, the Natural Bridge, and other OF
the classic points and future pleasure resorts
! of the Old Dominion. Circumstances have
heretofore given other pleasure haunts ad-
vantages which they cannot hold against the
superior facilities which the watering places
of the Southwest will now enjoy from their
close proximity to the great travel line OF the
country--a fact which, increasing their at
fractions, will draw still greater crowd
over our road each succeeding season
Here, midway from either section, will the
great mass of Northern and Southern plea