The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-02-24
The Awakening OF New Spirit la Virginis.
MEETING At THE MERCHANTS AID MECH ANiCS'

Inc awakening OF a New Spirit La Virginis.
MEETING AT THE MERCHANTS AID MECH AMOS
EXCHANGE, IN NORFOLK.
from The Richmond Enquirer, Fee ~
caued meesng at the Merchants aud MECHANICS
Exchange was held Wednesday afternoon, February IT.
The PRESIDENT stated that they had convened for
the purpose giving expression their relative 70
the importance of speedily completing the James river
and Kapawha Cana-,he great water line of Virsnis-
and OIL such steps as they may deem advisable -
bring the matter promnsnty and favorably before tbs
Legislature a rs early day as possible for the purpose
Of obtaining the passage OF such bill as would accom-
psh the speedy completion OF this great and mportass
work.
On motion Of MARSHALL PAxss, Esq., was resolved,
that committee of five be appointed to present resolx
Chair appointed Messrs. NJ PARKS, H. Irwin Henri
Ghiseln, G. W Farant aud s Borum, who retired ana
returned with the following preamble and resolutions
which were unanimously adopted
whereas the SIZE safety and position OF the harbor AZ
Norfolk point 10 % the central h1bor Of the Atlantic
coast and the natural centre Of Atlantic trade glance
the point Of conveyance Of the upper westssa
rivers, and therefore, the natural centre a
interior trade; that between these two centres now
exist in the Ohio, KAnawha and James rivers, which,
with the connection completed between them WI
fern continuous and nearly direct water line from the
great centre Of the interior trade to that on the Atlantic
that owing TO the temperate climate OF this route trade 70
and fro between these centres be passed for
eleven months in the year thus making grand central
american water line superior 70 any that now exists a.
that be established; therefore,
Resolved, That the overwhelming advantages Of this
line for the reciprocal rade must command for 1t tho
Try as well as that of the States through which runst
a trade now amounting TO many hundreds OF millions d
dollars annually and which must be vastly increased by
he rapid development OF the trade OF the country Ae
rested.
Resolved That this conclusion justnes the commercial
division of the Union north of the lower lines Of North
Carolina Tennessee, sc, 10 the Rocky Mountains which
made 10 the map which accompanies the pamphlet 81
titIed-"An Appeal for The Speedy Completion Of the
Water Line of Virginia." &c. which map divides said ter
rtoy into two portions the Northern part of which
ina aiz Of
merand that this claim is in opinion clearly demon
strated said pamphlet and that conceded by I've
hundred and fifty or three hundred newspaper notices
tending from New York to New Orleans, and from this
city to Kansas that it is also conceded so FAR know
cussed the propositions Of that work. and is furthermore
endorsed by the abest statesmen not only Of our own
Resolved That passing it through the very cen.
tire of the great trans Allegheny coal field of Vrgna-s
field in itself greater in extent containing more COAL Of
better quality and more cheapy mined than other
the Unon twoud afford that neld development that
can find through other source enhancing its value 10
the extent of many hundred millions Of dollars.
Resolved That the greatest internal trade of the
Union If not of the world will thus pass through the cen
tire of Virginia. that the tice of this trade would
along the line Of the Erie canal in New York. build up and
sustain OF thriving and prosperous towns and
cities besides its manifold other advantages in opening
mines, stimulating manufactures, and pushing forward
agriculture to the EXTREMIST point of deveopement
Resolved, That the city Of New York has reached her
necon Of the harbor of that city with the Western lakes
through the Erie canal which gives her thus the trada
above referred TO- that this connection enabled her 70
transport to New York the proauce OF the interior in
greater masses and at less cost than the same could go 70
rival city that the vsntages given that
city in the transmission of the return trade an that
these grand facilities in connection with her harbor do
fLd the great If not the SOLE Of the present great
Of that city.
Resolved, That if this be so, that the building up q
a similar connection between our city and the fer
greater country which, on said map, is conceded u
Norfolk, must, in our opinion, and very speedily,
juty the hope that the seaport OF Virginia will become
han rival In fhaf Emtllr hp4
this opinion is further established by the fact that the
great line we have in view would form trade line from
Norfolk far into Kansas north of which no item OF South
prodnce would go, rem the fact that the trade
exigercies of the West require grea. importing
Orleans-whereas the nature and position Of this line
would combine the advantages of both; or, In other
words establish here the combined advantages of those
two from the fact that Norfolk can never have
rival south Of this position while New York subject
rivalry with Philadelphia Boston and other seapors
Of great capacity and depth OF water.
Resolved That the concentration of such amount
Of interior produce at this point would draw here immense
fleets Of merchantmen tina, these vessels would bring
with them large number Of passengers for travel and
large amount Of light freight for transport over our rail
roads that this trade and travel would at least double
roads thus adding immensely to their value.
Resolved, That believe the enhancement OF the rail
road interest or this State would build this connection
twerty times over; that the enhancement OF town and
city property of Virginia would build Hsy times over
enc hundred times over and that the enhancement OF our
mineral property would build II two hund ed times
making the reflex dement's virginia amount 10
ny hundred times the cost OF the work; and that by
Virginia would become again the fret State In the Union,
and It's chief seaport vast commercial enpori am and
that upon It's completion must depend a hopes OF
state or city advancemen-the only means OF sustenAnce
for railroads. steamship lines, sc, which, without IT, must
be doomed TO a precarious existence.
Resolved, That this meeting consider the early compile,
ton Of the water line 10 the Ohio river Of the first
porance every interest of Virginia; should be con.
sidered paramount OF the State, entitled 10
earliest and most earnest consideration That such
should be taken a. shall insure ts earliest possible
thatfu aflh IA
State work give up her interest TO q company and
such only deposit with the Comptroller such sum,
to be forfeited in case OF failure, would insure its com
petion at the earliest possible moment
Resolved That earnestly request the representatives
of this city the Senate and House OF Delegates press
resolution similar to the foregoing the attention OF the
Assembly OF the State and TO use their utmost exeons
TO affect IL passage,
During the absence OF the committee u. T. Bsble Esq.,
entertained the meeting with interesting account OF tho
feeling excited at the North and West in behalf Of this
work. and Of the proposals which had been obtained
from capitalists New York 10 complete thB i'm prove
men without cost 10 the STATE provided suitable cnarter
could be obtained.
Mr. r T. Cropper onerei Me following resolution which
Was Adopted
Resolved That we deem expedient that a committee
Of twenty be appointed TO visit Richmond for the purpose
Of comforting with and urging upon the members Of tho
Legislature the importance Of this grea, scheme And the
Chair appointed Messrs D T. Bsbie, $ r Borum, Mar.
q. y. Anderson, s. II. Hodges, G. W. Farant, Jno. b
Whitehead, W. r. stewart, Chas Rowland, Conway Whit.
dren, y. @ King, VIM. T. Taylor, Jas. & barry.
On motion Of fixSRY IRWIN, ESQ, was
Resolved, That the thanks Of the citizens due, and
are hereby heartily rendered TO D. Bsbe, Esq for hts
exertions IN behalf Of the interests Intimately
connected with the welfare Of city and that
daily commend him 10 the members OF the General As
sembly gentleman worthy Of their confidence, and
representing the views Of our citizens this great qucs
tion--the water line Of Virginia.
On motion Of H. Irwin, Esq., Was
Resolved, That Finance Committee be appointed 10
celye funds TO dersy the expenses Of said committee
The CHAIR appointed H. Irwin, r r. Cropper, J. Hardy
Hendren, @. W. Grandy and Charles Rowland
On motion OF H. GHfskiIS, ESQ, twas
Resolved, That these proceedings be published In our
city papers with the request that they be copied BY all
papers the state friendly 10 the and that they
urge the calling of similar meetings 10 this one throughout
the state.
On motion, adjourned.
Death Penalty against the enforcement ~
the Lecompton Constellation.